Pamlico/Neuse – October 25, 2018
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that the best fishing in the area has been for trout and striper. Most of the trout have been coming from the Bay River and the waters around Oriental, where MirrOlure MR17s have been working for anglers who prefer a hard bait, and Z-Man artificials are catching fish for anglers who like soft plastics.
The Z-Man soft plastics have also been catching stripers in the waters around New Bern.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout, redfish, and flounder have all been coming from the river shorelines and in the creeks. Suspending shrimp under popping corks has worked well, and scented baits on jig heads have also been putting fish in the boat.
Striper fishing is continuing to pick up, as there have been a few in the mix with the other inshore slam species.
Off the beach, false albacore fishing is on fire. Recent cold fronts have been pushing bait out of the inlets, and the albies, along with plenty of spanish, are tearing it up. Using light tackle and flies has been highly productive.
Josh Cannon with a trout caught on a topwater MirrOlure in the Pamlico Sound.
Jordan, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that the backwater creeks and the Bay River have been holding plenty of speckled trout. Many of the trout now have been keepers. MirrOlures and popping corks have been the go-to method of landing the big specks, but it’s important to work them slowly, as the fish have been a little sluggish lately.
Once you find them, though, you’re in them. You should be able to catch 15-18 trout within a 100 yard range of your first bite.
Puppy drum have been around, but they’re not schooled up, which makes them hard to target. You may catch one or two here and there while fishing for other species.
Flounder are still feeding, but mostly in the sound and not in the creeks or rivers. Jigging bait across the bottom should land a couple of keepers.
Rich, of Eastside Bait and Tackle, reports that not a whole lot has been going on, as the water has still been pretty dirty from Hurricane Florence. The best action has been targeting the small trout that have been swimming through the area. Z-Man soft plastics and MR17s have been the best bait for the spikes.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that some decent speckled trout are coming in alongside a bunch of spikes, though hooking a trout is a lot of fun whether or not you can keep it. Expect the bite to continue to improve over the next couple of weeks.
Slot reds haven’t been as prevalent as they were last season, but if you find the perfect spot, you may be able to bring a few into the boat.
Striper season is open, and the water has settled out from the storm for the most part. The action has been steady thanks to cooling water temperatures.
Todd Byrd with a 42″ red drum that inhaled a piece of shrimp on a jig head while fishing in Juniper Bay.
Jeff, of Albemarle Fishing Charters, reports that striped bass season has started in the Albemarle Sound and its tributaries, and while there are no big schools yet, there are still plenty of fish to be caught.
The Albemarle Sound Bridge has been a fantastic place to look for the stripers, which are in the 18-26” range this time of year. Mann Stretch 15s and 20s are the best lures to use around the bridge, and every once in a while, throwing a bucktail behind the hard baits has picked up a fish, too.
In the rivers, Gulp Swimming Mullet on 1/4 oz. jig heads have been pulling in the stripers, and a classic 3/4 oz. Rat-L-Trap can do a lot of damage as well. The rivers have a lot of “trade piers.” These piers extend a good distance from the bank, and they are always productive for striper fishing. Pilings are also usually holding fish.
