Pamlico August 4, 2011
Todd Taylor, of Washington, NC, with a 25" red drum that bit a 3" Gulp shrimp on a stumpy flat in the Pamlico River near Bath.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that tarpon have shown up (and been feeding) in the Pamlico River for the last two weeks. The fish are feeding in small schools from Blount’s Bay east to the mouth of the river, and they are usually in close proximity to menhaden schools working in the area. Chumming with fresh menhaden and baiting up with cut mullet, spot, and croaker is the most effective method of fishing for the tarpon.
Large drum are feeding in the Pamlico Sound and showing up in the eastern portions of the Pamlico River as well. The fishing generally peaks in late August through late September, so anglers can expect the big drum to get more numerous with every passing week. The same large cut baits will work for the drum as the tarpon, and fishing around depth changes or structure like oyster rocks will give anglers the best odds of hooking up.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the striped bass bite is still on in the early mornings around New Bern (with mixed size fish from juveniles to nearly 30”).
The flounder bite has been fairly consistent along the river shorelines and structure upriver from Oriental, and the flatfish are falling for soft plastics and live baits. An occasional speckled trout or puppy drum is mixed in.
Tarpon have moved into the Neuse River, and anglers are seeing them with regularity. However, anglers are hooking them with more consistency out in the sound still. Large cut baits are the way to go for the “silver kings.”
Large red drum are trickling into the Neuse River, but the action isn’t on fire yet. It should continue to improve over the coming weeks.
Spanish mackerel are feeding in the Neuse. Anglers have seen more feeding over the past week than earlier in the year, so there may yet be a good spanish run in the river.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports the flounder have been presenting the most consistent action in the area lately. Most of the fish are coming from the piers, rocks, and other structure in the Neuse River, and live mud minnows or Deep Creek and Gulp soft plastics are tempting them to bite.
A few speckled trout and puppy drum are mixed in with the flatfish.
The “old” red drum are feeding in the Pamlico Sound, and all the signs are right for them to make an appearance in the river any day now.
Rick Best, of Newport, NC, with a 5.5 lb. flounder that fell for a live mud minnow on a Carolina rig near the Morehead port wall. Weighed in at Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching a few speckled trout, puppy drum, and some larger (many keepers) flounder while working the river shorelines near North Creek lately. Gulp baits, other soft plastics, and live baits will tempt bites from all three.
The red drum bite is picking up out in the sound, and anglers are hooking the big reds around Brant Island shoals, Cedar Island, Pamlico Point, and the tire reef. Large cut baits are the way to go for the big reds.
Tarpon have moved into the Pamlico River, and anglers are seeing them around Blount’s Bay, Maul’s Point, and the Bath area. Cut baits will also get attention from the tarpon.
Donald, of Custom Marine, reports that tarpon and old red drum have shown up in the Neuse River. Large cut baits will attract attention from both.
Some keeper speckled trout are turning up along the river shorelines, and most anglers are hooking them on MR17 MirrOlures right now. A few flounder and puppy drum are mixed in with the specks.
Spanish mackerel are feeding in the lower Neuse River, and anglers can hook them while trolling Clarkspoons and other small, flashy lures around working birds and fish chasing bait on the surface.
