Pamlico August 30, 2012
Bryce Sneed with a red drum he caught and released in the Pamlico Sound while fishing with Capt. Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Guide Service.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the giant red drum fishing on the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River is phenomenal right now, with anglers hooking big numbers (some days double-digits) on Owen Lupton rigs baited with cut mullet and menhaden. Shoals, oyster rocks, and other bottom contour changes are where to look for the big reds.
Anglers are still seeing a few tarpon in the same areas, but they’re tough to tempt to bite.
Speckled trout fishing in the local creeks has been excellent lately, as the green-tail shrimp are on the move and the specks are too (and more keepers are in the mix). Soft plastic baits are fooling most of the specks, as well as big numbers of small puppy drum and some flounder in the same areas.
The striped bass bite around New Bern is also phenomenal, with anglers hooking big numbers on topwater plugs. Stump fields along the shorelines and schools of bait in open water are where to look for the stripers.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that the big drum fishing just keeps getting better, with anglers tallying big numbers of releases while fishing the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound off Oriental, South River, and other nearby spots. Large cut baits, particularly mullet, on Owen Lupton-style rigs are the way to go for the big reds, and fishing them around shoals and other depth changes offers anglers the best odds of hooking up.
Fresh mullet are in high demand right now, so anglers need to make sure they have a reliable source while planning a trip.
The big reds can be spooky, so it’s important for anglers to maintain a respectful distance from boats anchored up and fishing since there are plenty of good spots out there.
Donald, of Custom Marine, reports that anglers are still catching big numbers of citation-class red drum in the sound and lower Neuse River on cut baits.
Tyree Jones, of Pamlico County, with a 22" flounder that bit a 4" Gulp pogy while he was fishing in Broad Creek near Fairfield Harbour.
The river shorelines and creeks are producing some solid action with speckled trout and flounder, principally for anglers casting soft plastics.
Richie, of East Side Tackle, reports that the large red drum bite has gotten better locally, with anglers reporting decent action all the way up to Pamlico Point.
Flounder fishing just keeps getting better around Bath and North Creek, with more keepers in the mix than anglers saw all summer. Gulp baits on jigheads are top choices for the flatfish.
Striped bass are on the feed around the bridges and other structure near Washington, but their season is still closed, so it’s a catch and release fishery at present. Topwater plugs and bucktail and soft plastic jigs are the best bets for the stripers.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that the big red drum bite is on in the Pamlico Sound and lower Neuse and Tar Rivers. Anglers are hooking double-digit numbers on many trips while soaking large cut baits around shoals and other bottom irregularities.
Speckled trout action is getting better in the upper Pamlico River near Washington, where anglers are starting to see some keepers as the water temperatures begin to fall and bait gets more abundant. Soft plastics and live baits are tempting the bites from the trout.
Flounder fishing in the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers is also getting better, with many more keepers than were around all summer.
There are also still big numbers of “rat” puppy drum around, and they’re getting fatter, so anglers may see some keepers during the fall. Soft plastics and live baits are also fooling the pups and flatfish.
The topwater striped bass bite has been outstanding lately around Washington and Belhaven, but the season isn’t open until October so it’s a catch-and-release game.
