Pamlico/Neuse – May 2021
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that Neuse River anglers are glad to see a big push of slot-sized red drum moving into the area. Warming ocean temperatures have been pushing bait into the sounds and pulling these drum out of their winter hold-over areas. Look for these groups of redfish to hold along ledges of the river shoreline.
Striped bass topwater action has been picking up quickly, as fish are coming back down in their post-spawn cycle. Target structured shorelines around New Bern.
Speckled trout have mostly stayed from Oriental down to the sound. Look for these schools to be moving up and along the shorelines as drier weather allows for better salinity.
Stu Creighton with a speckled trout caught using a popping cork. He was fishing the Oriental area with Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers have been pleased to find good numbers of speckled trout as they start getting back on the water. Topwater plugs are getting action and can be a great search bait on calmer days or during early and late hours. Soft plastics rigged under popping corks are the go-to setup for these late spring trout and have been producing most of the action.
A few puppy drum are mixed in the same areas as the trout, and they have been hitting the same artificial baits.
Bluefish schools are popping up in the main river as they make their way in from the ocean.
Striped bass are in their post-spawn pattern and have been making their way downriver. This push happens very quick, and anglers shouldn’t expect them to stay around the same areas for too long. Topwater plugs are great for this fishery when worked around stump-filled shorelines, and finding bait is a crucial part of picking a fishing location.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that water on the river is warming up and the more stable weather has the fish on the move.
Both red drum and speckled trout are moving out of the creeks and spreading out on the main river shoreline. Topwater plugs are a great bait for scanning the shorelines for these groups of fish.
Striped bass are holding around the most structured areas of the shoreline. Anglers love to target these stripers with topwater baits.
The action an all three species gets even better over the next few weeks with bait starting to push into the river.
Jeff, of Salt and Swamp Guide Service, reports that speckled trout have begun to move around more now that water temperatures are rising. Many of these schools are holding around the middle of creeks and moving out to the mouths. In a few weeks, most of the action should shift to the main river shorelines. Shrimp fished under a cork is a great setup, but when fishing artificial baits, it has been effective to utilize Vudu shrimp and Z-Man paddle tails or Trout Tricks in the presentation.
Striped bass action, for the most part, has been way upriver (other than the resident population around New Bern). Anglers are targeting the stripers with Zara Spook and Rapala Skitterwalk topwater plugs worked along structured shorelines.
Slot-sized red drum are starting to filter their way into the river. Over the next few weeks, anglers will see better numbers as they follow the bait that is moving in. Soft plastics have been working best in getting strikes.
Some flounder have also begun to move in, with the scattered fish or two mixed in on many trips.
Hamilton Vaughn with a striped bass that was caught using cut bait while fishing the Pungo River.
Todd, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout fishing has been great as they transition into their late spring pattern. Topwater plugs are doing great for anglers getting on the water early or holding out until late afternoons. Target shorelines along the main river, as by this point in the year most fish have moved out of the creeks.
Striped bass are upriver, with some still finishing up their spawn. Structure is key when targeting stripers, and anglers should target the structured shorelines with topwater plugs and 4-5” soft plastics. Slow trolling diving plugs around deeper structure has also been producing strikes.
Red drum fishing has been really good, with plenty of mid-slot to upper-slot redfish moving into the area. As more bait pushes into the river, look for the bite to pick up even more.
Flounder have already started to show up. Though they need to be released, they will be caught right alongside the red drum.
Brent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout fishing is picking up, with the schools now on the move. Look for these fish to be pushing out of the creeks off the Pungo River and moving onto shorelines or areas around Swan Quarter.
Slot-sized red drum are showing up in better numbers for anglers fishing in the lower Pungo region.
Striped bass action was good for the short time anglers had a chance to target them. Both live bait and soft plastics in white or chartreuse colors were the best options.
