Pamlico/Neuse River – March 2024
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that speckled trout action remains pretty good in the backs of area creeks.
Striped bass are also in the creeks, but they can be found staged up around structure from about the middle of the creek out into the river.
Anglers this time of year enjoy targeting shad with small grubs.
A nice showing of red drum are out in the main river, and anglers have found action working shorelines from New Bern out towards the sound.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that in March, the speckled trout start to move again, and they’ll be heading towards the sound and to the north.
Red drum should be showing up as they move in from the ocean and head upriver.
Shad fishing gets better throughout March. Shad darts and little jigs are the best lures to have with you when heading upriver.
Striped bass like this change in seasons and start feeding more actively. Topwater plugs, chatter baits, and eel-style baits all can produce some action.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that speckled trout action has been good back in the creeks. Most fish have been staged up around mid-way back. Holes (6-8’ depth range) where a feeder creek meets a main creek are excellent areas to target. On sunny days, be sure to make casts over the nearby flats in case the fish moved up shallow to warm. On overcast days, stay back and cast into the hole, working the lower water column. A 3” swim bait soft plastic has been the top producing bait, with some strikes also coming on MirrOlure MR-17s.
Some scattered puppy drum are in these same lower Neuse creeks. For the reds, target points right outside where feeder creeks meet the main creek.
Striped bass can always be found in the area. Swim baits and chatter baits fished around heavy structure or pilings can produce good action.
Patrick Cotter, of Greenville, NC, reeled in this 3.75 lb. shad while fishing in the Tar River using a silver spoon tandem rigged to an artificial lure on a 1/8 oz. jig head.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that moving into March, anglers can expect the speckled trout to start moving out of the creeks.
Red drum will also start showing up in the rivers, as these fish move back in from the ocean.
Striped bass are scattered up and down the Tar and Neuse rivers. This fishery really picks up next month as these stripers make their spawning run into spring.
Bluefish also tend to show up around this time, as they arrive with the bait.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that the speckled trout bite in both the Pamlico and Neuse rivers remains solid. Hard baits and soft plastics are both having success in enticing a few strikes.
The shad run has started, and the action has been good for the kick-off of the spawn. Both the upper Neuse and upper Tar are seeing action.
Striped bass season remains closed, with a few anglers still looking for some catch and release action. Casting jigs and swim baits on the deeper ledges has been the most productive tactic so far. As warmer conditions prevail, look for jerk baits to also start producing.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that speckled trout remain the top target. These fish have been way back in creeks in both the Pamlico and Pungo rivers. With a generally drier month, there are trout being caught well up towards the Washington and Chocowinity areas. Suspending baits such as MirrOlure MR-17s and Rapala Twitchin’ Raps have been the best bet, though a recent warm spell saw some trout hitting topwater plugs.
These trout will slowly start moving out of the backs of these creeks. When the water is warm enough to see these movements, it’s typically time to try out topwater plugs.
Parker Elmore (age 9), of Greensboro, found this 4 lb., 13 oz. speckled trout while fishing in a creek off of the Pamlico Sound. She was using a MirrOlure MR-17.
Grey, of Hyde Guides, reports that speckled trout action has been very strong. Anglers have found days with catch numbers into the 40s and 50s while targeting the deeper (5-10’) holes with jigs and suspending twitch baits.
On calmer days, anglers have been able to find red drum on flats in the sound and in the creeks. Gold spoons and Z-Man Kicker CrabZ both work well for this sight casting action.
Anglers in March start looking up towards the Roanoke River for striped bass fishing.
Moving later into March, the uptick of water temperatures kicks off the sound bite, with structure in the sound stacking up with gray trout as these fish push inshore.
Some tautogs, black drum, and scattered sheepshead are on these same reefs for those dropping shrimp on bottom rigs.
The area also starts to see schools of bluefish move in. This bigger class of blues (3-10 lbs.) is a super fun target for anglers looking to break out the topwater plugs and get into wide open action.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing is still the top target. The trout have been schooled up as far upriver as they will get, with specks even being caught in the Washington and Chocowinity areas. Anglers have the habit of always fishing the creeks, but trout can also be found out along the main river for those willing to scout new areas.
In the creeks, target deeper holes that can vary anywhere from 6-15’. Most of the action has been the 16-20” trout, with the larger fish more dormant in the colder months. Soft plastics on light weight (1/16 oz.) jig heads will probably be the best bait choice overall for versatility. Other successful baits have been MirrOlure MR series baits, MirrOdines, and jerk baits.
Anglers have found some rockfish around while casting at bait disturbances or around structure near these deep holes in creeks. Soft plastics are producing most of the strikes, with the water temperatures still too cold for topwater action.
The occasional red drum can also be found staged up around structure.
