Pamlico – August 27, 2015
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers are connecting with decent numbers of citation-class “old” red drum in the lower Neuse River. The action’s been best on days with light winds recently, and anglers are fooling the fish (most 40” and larger) on large D.O.A. soft plastics fished under popping corks and rattling baits. Fly casters have had plenty of hookups lately as well while casting Pop N Fly rigs of large streamers under modified floats.
Jason Bookheimer, of Danville, VA, with a 55″ cobia that he hooked on a chunk of menhaden while fishing for red drum in the lower Neuse River.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are seeing an improved large red drum bite in the lower Neuse River area, but the action’s still a bit off of what anglers expect to see at this time of year. The bite should only improve as the August full moon approaches.
Drew Vermillion with a citation red drum that inhaled a cut bait in the lower Neuse River while he was fishing with Capt. Greg Voliva of Down East Guide Service.
Many of the big reds are falling for large D.O.A. Deadly Combo popping cork rigs. Anglers are also hooking solid numbers while fishing steaked mullet and other cut baits on the bottom, but getting bait has been something of an issue lately. Anglers who plan on bait fishing should make plans to purchase or catch their baits early to ensure they’re available.
Windy Overgaard with a red drum that struck a whole bluefish while she was fishing the Neuse River near Oriental with her husband Peter.
Smaller puppy drum and flounder are feeding along the shorelines of the lower river and in the adjacent creeks. Anglers are hooking both on smaller D.O.A. soft plastics fished under popping corks and on jigheads and weedless hooks.
Doug Behrman with his largest fly red drum, a 43″ (est. 37 lbs.) fish that struck a custom Pop N Fly rig while he was fishing the lower Neuse River near Oriental with Capt. Gary Dubiel of Knee Deep Custom Charters.
Mitch, of FishIBX.com, reports that the citation-class red drum bite is on around the lower Neuse and Pamlico River basins. Anglers are hooking the big (40”+) reds on soft plastics like Yeeha swim baits, large rattling crankbaits, and big streamers cast on fly gear.
Barbara Moore with a 21″ speckled trout that struck a Z-Man MinnoZ soft plastic bait in the boat basin at River Dunes in Pamlico County.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers continue to catch good numbers of large red drum in the Pamlico River and sound. Both Z-Man soft plastics under popping corks and cut baits fished on the bottom are fooling the fish.
Teresa McCullough, of Rocky Mount, NC, with a pair of 18″ flounder that bit Gulp shrimp while she was fishing near Swan Quarter.
Isaiah, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that that anglers are seeing the large red drum fishing in the area improve, with most of the action in the lower Pamlico River and western sound. Large cut baits fished on the bottom near drop-offs and structure are fooling many of the fish, and anglers are also hooking up while working big soft plastic baits under popping corks in shallower water and around schools of bait on the surface.
Duane Coen with a citation-class red drum that bit a 5″ D.O.A. swimbait under a popping cork while he was fishing the lower Neuse River with Capt. Dave Stewart of Knee Deep Custom Charters.
The flounder bite is still going strong around Bath, Swan Quarter, and in the Pungo River. Anglers are hooking most of the flatfish on soft plastic baits, with 5” Gulp jerk shads some of the most effective recently.
