Pamlico July 21, 2011
Tina Buck with a 24" Neuse River speckled trout she hooked on a Gulp Ripple Mullet near the mouth of Northwest Creek while fishing with her fiance, Kevin Herrington of Neuse Sports Shop.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers scored the first tarpon release of the year last week (a 125 lb. class fish). The fish are feeding in Pamlico Sound and the adjacent rivers, and large cut baits fished on the bottom are the most effective tarpon tempters. Heavy spinning tackle rigged with 20’+ wind-on 130 lb. leaders offer anglers the best control of the big brawlers when they’re near the boat.
Flounder fishing is still decent in the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers, and finding the bait is key to connecting with the flatfish. White Gulp shrimp and pogies on 1/8 and 1/4 oz. jigheads are top choices for the flounder.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the front last week slowed the striped bass bite around New Bern just a bit, but there are still plenty of fish around for anglers looking for action. Topwater plugs have been producing the most exciting fishing, and the early morning hours from 6:00-10:00 am and later in the evenings around sunset are the times to go.
Flounder fishing remains decent from New Bern down to Oriental around the docks and rocky shorelines of the river. Soft plastics like Gulp baits and live finger mullet will tempt bites from the flatfish. A few puppy drum and speckled trout are mixed in, but those fisheries are still a bit off their usual pace for this time of year.
Tarpon have shown up in the sound near Cedar Island, but anglers need to pick pretty days in order to make the long run. Large cut baits fished around shoals and depth changes are the standard offerings for the “silver kings.”
A few large citation-class red drum are trickling into the sound, and that bite should improve as summer wears on.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are finding action with flounder (including decent numbers of keepers), a few speckled trout, and some small puppy drum around the river shorelines and structure around Oriental and Dawson’s Creek. Gulp baits, other soft plastics, and small live baits are producing most of the bites.
The striped bass bite is still solid around New Bern. Topwater plugs and soft plastics are the way to go for the stripers, and the early morning hours are producing the best fishing.
Tarpon fishing has been slow close to home, but anglers are hooking some of the giant fish east of Brant Island in the sound.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that tarpon have been seen and hooked in the Neuse area around Maul’s Point and Blount’s Bay. Fishing cut mullet and croaker on the bottom is the most effective tarpon tactic.
Flounder fishing is still decent around Swan Quarter, Bath, and Belhaven. Gulp shrimp and swimming mullet are producing most of the flatfish. A few speckled trout are mixed in, but most are on the small side.
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that a few tarpon are feeding in the Neuse River, with more fish still in the Pamlico Sound. Large cut baits fished on the bottom give anglers the best chance of hooking up with one of the “silver kings.”
Large red drum have begun moving into the sound and will fall for the same baits as the tarpon. They’ll only get more abundant as more and more fish complete their annual spawning migration into the sound and river.
Anglers are hooking up with some puppy drum while casting soft plastics and live baits along the shorelines down towards Oriental.
The striped bass bite is still on in the river around New Bern, and casting topwater plugs or soft plastics in the early mornings is the way to go for the stripers.
