Pamlico/Neuse – June 20, 2019
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that speckled trout are being caught in good numbers in the lower Neuse. Gulp and Z-Man paddle-tail soft plastics fished under popping corks have been the most popular, but there has also been a topwater bite in the early mornings with walk-the-dog style plugs.
Slot-sized red drum are feeding on Carolina-rigged live and cut baits on ledges along the shoreline. Fishing soft plastics on 1/4 oz. jig heads has been getting a few strikes as well.
Flounder have been slow to start the season off, but as more bait arrives, anglers anticipate seeing more fish caught.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout fishing has been great along shorelines of the lower Neuse. Most fish have pushed out of the creeks and are staged up on ledges and deep grass banks. Storm Coastal GT soft plastics fished under a popping cork are a great search bait while scanning the shorelines to locate these smaller schools.
A few puppy to slot-sized red drum will hit these same soft plastics that are targeting the trout.
Topwater fishing has been tough with the high winds, but early morning anglers are finding a few fish to cooperate.
Flounder are being landed by anglers keeping their baits on the bottom, though most fish are just short.
Striped bass fishing has been slow this spring, with fish staying upriver. A few smaller fish are being caught along the shorelines on soft plastics.
Bluefish are in some of the deeper areas around creek mouths.
Isaac Hawley with a flounder he landed on a Z-Man Swimming Trout Trick while fishing the Pamlico Sound.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that speckled trout are hitting D.O.A. and Z-Man soft plastic paddle-tails on the lower Neuse around Oriental and Vandemere.
Bluefish are mixed in with the trout, and they’re feeding on the same soft plastics worked through the middle of the water column.
Flounder are being caught in better numbers as more bait pushes in from the sound.
Striper fishing has been slow up the Neuse and Trent rivers. Early morning anglers have picked up a few, but the schools have been small and tough to locate.
Jennings, of North State Guide Service, reports that legal-sized flounder are being caught with soft plastic jerk shads fished with heavier 1/4 to 1/2 oz. jig heads on deeper ledges along the shoreline.
Speckled trout fishing has been really good all spring, with legal fish (up to 20”) hitting soft plastics fished under popping corks. Searching shorelines for bait and wind swept grass points have helped anglers locate the fish.
A few red drum are mixed in with the trout, and they will feed on the same soft plastics.
Bluefish are schooled up along deeper areas of structured shoreline, and they will hit any baits fished near them.
Stephen, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout fishing has been great this spring, with anglers locating the fish along grass banks with Gulp soft plastics under popping corks. A few fish are being caught with Carolina-rigged live baits, but the larger trout (up to 6.3 lbs.) have come off artificial baits.
Slot-sized red drum are hitting Z-Man MinnowZ soft plastics fished on jig heads, and the pinfish color has been a popular option this year.
A few striped bass are holding on the same shorelines as the trout and drum. They are preferring soft plastics.
Black drum are falling for Carolina-rigged live shrimp fished around docks and shoreline structure, and a few sheepshead are being caught in the same areas as the black drum.
Steven Gaskins, of Vanceboro, NC, with a release citation speckled trout he caught using a Betts Perfect Sinker Shrimp under a popping cork. He was fishing the Lower Neuse with Capt. Kevin Dewar of Three D Charters.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that striped bass fishing has been scattered on the river, with anglers only finding fish when they find bait. Topwater plugs such as Heddon Super Spooks and Spook Jrs. have been productive in the mornings and on overcast days.
Speckled trout are being reported downriver, and they’re feeding on live baits and soft plastics.
Flounder are in the same areas downriver, but not many anglers have been targeting them.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that topwater fishing for stripers has been great on the upper Roanoke River and areas of the Pamlico. Seeking out structure that holds bait has been key in finding the smaller schools. As the days have worn on, switching to soft plastics has helped keep anglers on the fish that tend to hold deeper.
Speckled trout are being caught in the lower Pamlico with Yee Ha soft plastics under popping corks.
A few flounder are on deeper grass banks, and they’re hitting soft plastics fished on jig heads.
