Pamlico April 25, 2013
Curtis Ormond with a 27″ speckled trout he caught and released from his dock in the Bay River. Photo courtesy of Minnesott Beach Bait and Tackle.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the speckled trout bite remains solid in the creeks off the Neuse River from New Bern down to Oriental (and some citation-class specks are in the mix). The fish have begun to show an interest in topwater plugs, particularly early and late in the day. When they don’t want to bite on top, soft plastics rigged on jigheads or below popping corks are the way to go.
A few puppy drum and flounder have been feeding alongside the trout and taking an interest in the same baits.
Striped bass are moving back downstream after spawning, and there’s been a decent bite around ledges and other sub-surface structure upriver of New Bern. The action will improve and move closer to the city as more fish make their way back down the river. Soft plastics like D.O.A. CAL series baits have been fooling the majority of the stripers recently.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that the weather has been a bit challenging lately, but anglers are still catching some solid speckled trout and puppy drum in the creeks and bays off the lower Neuse River (with specks to 27” reported lately). Using a shallow-water anchor from the boat’s stern and casting downwind has been the best bet lately, as it lets anglers work their baits effectively instead of the wind dragging them along.
The specks and puppies are taking an interest in D.O.A. Deadly Combo rigs and Rapala Twitchin’ Rap plugs.
Striped bass are moving back down the Neuse after their spawn, and anglers can expect a solid topwater bite around New Bern in the coming weeks. The early morning and evening hours are the best bets for tempting the stripers to bite on top.
Mitch, of FishIBX Charters, reports that there’s been some excellent speckled trout action in both the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers of late. Most fish have been keepers, and there are some large specks in the mix as well. A variety of soft plastic baits are fooling the trout, and 5’ of water seems to be the magic depth right now.
Glenn Davies, of Comar, PA, with a 24.5″ release-citation speckled trout that bit a D.O.A. Deadly Combo near Oriental while he was fishing with Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service.
Red drum are feeding in many of the same areas and taking an interest in live baits on Carolina rigs and under popping corks.
The striped bass action on the Roanoke River is heating up, with the best bite in the lower river thus far this season. Stick baits worked along flooded timber edges have been the most productive strategy for the stripers, but anglers are also hooking up on topwater plugs and Deceiver and Clouser Minnow flies. Larger plugs and flies are a solid bet, as they offer anglers the best odds of larger fish.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers are connecting with big numbers of striped bass while fishing the Roanoke River near Weldon. Both live shad and a variety of artificials, including flies, are proving productive on the stripers right now. The striper action has been best when the water is falling.
Shad are also feeding in the Roanoke, and they’re providing plenty of action as well. Small, bright jigs and flies are the way to connect with the sporty shad.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that there’s been some excellent speckled trout fishing in the creeks around Bath and Belhaven recently, although the action has slowed a bit with the recent winds and cooler temperatures. A few puppy drum and smaller flounder are mixed in with the specks, and all three are taking an interest in soft plastic baits like Gulps. Anglers are also picking up some fish on MirrOlure MR17’s.
Striped bass are looking for meals in the Pamlico River near Washington, and anglers are starting to hook a few on topwater plugs in the late afternoon hours. Working bucktails or soft plastics like eel-imitations is fooling the stripers during the rest of the day.
