Pamlico – August 13, 2015
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are finally seeing decent numbers of large citation-class red drum move into the Neuse River, and a bit of northeast wind should really crank up the bite.
Anglers have hooked the reds both while working large D.O.A. soft plastics under popping corks and bottom fishing with cut baits over the past week. It seems the popping cork rigs are producing the best results around shallower water like shoals, with baits the way to go on deeper ledges. Anglers bait-fishing should bring plenty, as sharks, rays, and other pests are taking quite an interest in the cut baits as well.
The striped bass bite remains excellent around New Bern. The best and most exciting action has been for anglers working topwater plugs along the shorelines early and late in the day.
Bryce Jackson with his first citation-class red drum, caught while fishing with his father, Capt. Jack Jackson of FinchasersUSA.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the giant “old” red drum bite has picked up despite less than perfect weather and wind lately. Recent trips have produced at least one bite for anglers working large soft plastic baits beneath popping corks in the lower Neuse River. The fish are still a bit scattered and bait schools have been pushed down by the wind, so anglers may have to put in some effort to find the feeding fish. Once conditions improve, the action should be on for the season.
Smaller puppy drum and flounder are feeding along the shorelines of the lower Neuse. They’re a bit scattered, too, but anglers willing to cover some water are hooking decent numbers on D.O.A. soft plastics fished on jigheads or popping corks.
Striped bass are feeding around New Bern. Anglers are hooking solid numbers early and late in the day on topwater plugs, with the best action around shoreline stump fields and other structure. When the sun’s high, subsurface flies and D.O.A. shrimp have been fooling the fish.
Parson Conway with 19″ and 20″ flounder he landed while fishing the Pamlico Sound with his father Stephen and David and Macon Merriman.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers are connecting with good numbers of citation-class red drum while fishing near the junction of the Pamlico River and sound. Bait fishing has been producing the best results for the fish, and anglers are hooking them on cut baits in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Some are also falling for large soft plastic baits fished under popping corks, particularly with calmer weather and in shallower water.
Ryan Alford with a 45″ red drum he caught and released in the lower Neuse River while fishing with Capt. Dave Stewart of Knee Deep Custom Charters. The red bit a cut bait.
Mitch, of FishIBX.com, reports that anglers are hooking solid numbers of large, citation-class red drum in the area’s lower rivers and western sounds. The big reds will bite cut baits fished around shoals, ledges, and drop-offs, and anglers can also fool them with a variety of large artificials as well.
Ashton Vermillion and Mason Harris with a 48″ red drum Vermillion caught and released after it struck a cut bait in the lower Neuse River while they were fishing with Capt. Greg Voliva of Down East Guide Service.
Isaiah, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing plenty of flounder action in the lower Pamlico and Pungo rivers. Most of the fish are falling for Gulp and Z-man soft baits, but anglers can also fool them with live baits fished on the bottom.
Large red drum are feeding in the lower river and sound, and anglers have released solid numbers over the past week. Most are falling for big cut baits, but anglers are hooking up on soft plastics fished beneath popping corks as well.
Striped bass are still feeding around the bridges and other structure near Washington. They’re biting topwater plugs and other artificials, but many anglers have been hooking good numbers on live menhaden lately as well.
