Pamlico/Neuse – August 2023
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers are having the most success while targeting red drum throughout the river and towards the sound. There is some topwater action if you can get out early, but summertime fishing for red drum is typically a natural bait fishery. Carolina-rigged live or cut bait works well in attracting the fish that are in the area (versus scouting bank to bank). Anglers will do best by locating an area holding bait before casting their rigs out, and breaks in the shoreline or hard structures are great areas to start.
Anglers fishing live baits on the bottom are landing a couple of flounder as bycatch when targeting reds.
Some bull reds are being caught out by the mouth of the Neuse and into the sound. The more consistent bite will probably start late in August.
Anglers are hooking into some of the tarpon that have been seen rolling around.
Speckled trout action has tapered off in the river with all the hot water. Some fish are down by the sound in deeper holes along the bank, but it will be a while before these fish move back in.
Anglers can also have some fun targeting the resident striped bass with topwater plugs on days with lighter wind conditions. The low-light hours will be best, but typically the presence of bait and structure is more important.
Joe, of Caps Fishing Charters, reports that there is some steady slot-sized red drum action while targeting the river shorelines and structure. Soft plastics under a popping cork make a great setup for scouting these areas to find the active fish.
Striped bass action has been good on topwater plugs. These fish are typically holding tight to some sort of shoreline structure. If the fish aren’t hitting the topwaters, switch over to 3-4” Z-Man DieZel minnows or similar paddle tail baits.
Speckled trout action is a bit slow in these hottest of summer days, but anglers are still finding some fish while targeting areas around the mouth of the river with live shrimp.
The bull red drum will make more of showing towards the end of August. The menhaden are plentiful along the river, especially in the creeks, so it won’t be long before these fish start to move in from the sound.
Marty Measamer (left), from Greenville, and Brent Nash, from Tarboro, with a 24″ trout and an upper-slot red drum. Both fish were caught on 4″ Gulp soft plastics while fishing the Core Sound with Capt. Tommy Sports of Sports Fishing Adventures.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that the red drum bite has been the best target choice for most anglers. Topwater plugs and gold or bronze-colored spoons have been great in getting the reds fired up. Smaller soft plastics (3-4”) under a popping cork have also worked well when scouting areas for these groups of fish. If all else isn’t working, cast cut bait or live shrimp around areas of structure.
A bunch of flounder are in the mix if fishing the bottom with soft plastics.
The striped bass bite has been pretty steady for anglers fishing topwaters early. Later in the day, soft plastics or hard baits will do the trick.
Black drum have been staged up around docks and other hard structures. A piece of cut shrimp on a jig head or a Carolina rig can entice a bite.
The old red drum will start to make their way into the river systems better as we move into August, and tarpon are scattered all throughout the river.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that hot water is prevalent, and the slot-sized red drum action remains the top target of local anglers. These fish generally aren’t as affected by the high temperatures and continue to actively feed on both live and cut baits. Anglers can do well targeting points on the banks, but be sure to target any areas you see holding bait. Places out of the sun (such as stump fields) are other good areas to target.
Some bull drum are starting to show up out in the sounds.
Anglers are getting opportunities at the tarpon that are pushing into the lower part of the river.
Speckled trout have mostly been holding down by the sounds, and anglers will do best targeting deeper marsh banks holding 6’ or so of water (that will be slightly cooler).
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that morning runs are seeing some nice topwater action on speckled trout and striped bass.
Slot-sized red drum are scattered all throughout the area. It is typical of their summer pattern to be spread out like this, so moving around can be helpful to fishing success and also gives relief to anglers in getting a little breeze during the ride.
Carter Sanders (left) and his dad Mitchell Sanders (right), both of Jacksonville, NC, caught this 24” tagged striper using a topwater plug. They were fishing with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin’ Charters.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that even with these hot temperatures, anglers are still able to find some nice trout down near the mouth of the river. Rigs that allow for targeting different areas efficiently, such as popping corks, work great for the trout.
Slot-sized red drum are scattered throughout the area, with hot water temperatures keeping them holding in small schools.
Anglers look forward to the trophy red drum showing up in better numbers. Typically, the first real push happens at some point in August.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that the speckled trout bite remains pretty steady, with anglers targeting these fish early in the morning with topwater plugs. There’s been a great quality of trout this year, and that trend has continued well into summer.
Some slot-sized red drum are also hitting topwater plugs.
The citation drum haven’t made much movement into the area just yet. There are fish around, but it’ll be later in August before they start to migrate in better numbers and actually become a specific target.
