Pamlico/Neuse River – December 2023
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers have been finding speckled trout staged up around some of the bridges in the area. The coming colder weather, though, will run these fish into the backs of creeks and into the Trent River. As the waters get really cold, the specks will look for areas with muddy bottoms that will heat up quicker on the clear days.
Striped bass will feed in the area all winter long. Keep an eye out for birds to signal where the bait is. These fish will strike at topwater plugs and sub-surface hard baits all day long, even with the water temperatures moving down.
A good part about this time of year is it isn’t necessary to get on the water early. In fact, it is beneficial to wait until later when the sun has come up and had time to warm the water temperatures, even if just slightly.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that as winter approaches, anglers will start to see the speckled trout schooling up in better numbers. This is when fishing efforts should be focused on deeper holes that will have a shallow flat close by.
Wintertime trout fishing provides a great opportunity to throw a variety of artificial baits. MirrOlure MR-14s or MR-17s are great starting options, as are any variety of soft plastics. Remember, winter sees quality fish get caught, but it requires patience. Red drum will stay schooled up through these colder months. Anglers can find them while targeting the flats, especially on the calmer days, and a wide variety of artificials can entice a strike.
Wally Vaughn (age 9), of Chapel Hill, caught this 24″ speckled trout while fishing near Belhaven using finger mullet.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Fishing Charters, reports that there has been a bunch of bait up around New Bern, and bluefish can be found around that bait. Speckled trout anglers are having success fishing artificials, such as soft plastics, MirrOlures, and jerk baits. Productive color patterns depend on the water clarity. In clear waters, fish natural colors, where dirty conditions call for dark or “root beer” patterns. That being said, white or chartreuse always seem to work.
The 6-8’ range has been best, with anglers already needing to fish slowly to match the trout’s lethargic movements. Slot-sized red drum are in the mix for those fishing cut menhaden on points or along grass lines in the creeks.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout are around, though the action overall has been a bit sporadic with the ongoing weather changes. The more eastern creeks around Swan Quarter and off the Pungo have seen the better bite so far. These fish are moving into their winter patterns as they push up into the creeks and stage up in holes.
MirrOlures in a variety of color patterns and sizes and Z-Man soft plastics have both been great options. Some slot-sized red drum are hanging around stumps and drop-offs around Swan Quarter. Flounder are in the same areas as the reds, but they’re striking at baits worked on the bottom. Striped bass can be mixed in everywhere, including up past Washington.
Into January, trout fishing remains the most consistent target. Working the backs of creeks down around Belhaven with slowly fished MirrOlures and soft plastics is the best chance at a strike. Anglers can also find some striped bass fishing. These fish are around structures such as bridges and train trestles.
The Roanoke River region lights up in the wintertime. Striped bass will be staging up prior to their spring migration along all the deeper structure. Anglers will have success with bigger Z-Man baits on 3/8-1/4 oz. jig heads or hard baits such as Rat-L-Traps.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that speckled trout are moving into their winter patterns as they school up in the backs of creeks. A variety of baits are having success, such as MirrOlure MR-17s and Zoom soft plastics. Over the coldest months, anglers can find trout action in the backs of creeks. The fish will be extremely lethargic, so fish slow.
Jeff Washburn, of Oriental, caught this red drum in his home waters using a Gulp soft plastic under a popping cork.
Grey, of Hyde Guides, reports that anglers have been smoking the speckled trout while slowly jigging the deep holes with a variety of soft plastics. Over the coldest months, the current patterns will be the status quo—fish deep for trout, and fish super slow.
Many anglers in the area change gears and run up to the Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River for striped bass. These jigging trips can see 50 fish being caught a day, even on the slower days. This is also a deepwater bite, with fish staged anywhere in the 6-30’ range. The water is brackish, so anglers may also find some big catfish and shad around.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout are everywhere right now. They’re hanging out in depths anywhere from 1-15’, and the class of fish has been strong, with catches to 8 lbs. The creeks have been holding all the action. Anglers are finding the best numbers of trout in holes that are 2-6’ while fishing jerk baits, and the bigger sizes of trout have been holding in the deeper 6’+ areas around the middle of the creeks.
Going into the coldest months, anglers can continue to find trout in the backs of creeks. Fishing soft plastics on very light jig heads or slow sinking jerk baits help entice strikes. The later afternoons where there is an abundance of sun can also help the bite.
Some red drum are mixed in the action throughout the creeks. The reds have been hanging around bait in the 1-4’ areas. All the same tactics used for trout are working for reds, including MirrOlures, Rapala Twitchin’ Raps, and soft plastics.
