Pamlico – July 5, 2018
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that citation red drum are being caught around the shoals in the river. Large cut baits (such as half of a spot or mullet) on Lupton rigs are getting bites all through the day.
The topwater striped bass bite has been strong early in the mornings around New Bern on walk the dog style baits.
Speckled trout (to 4 lbs.) are feeding on soft plastics fished under popping corks near structure around the mouth of the river.
Good numbers of flounder are being reported around grass beds and drop-offs in the river. Anglers fishing soft plastics on a 1/4 oz. jig head or dropping Carolina-rigged mud minnows have found the most action.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that citation red drum fishing is getting very good. Most fish right now are in the mid 40” range. Working bait schools around shoals with popping corks and a 4-5” Storm soft plastic is the best setup to use for these bruiser fish. Anglers should be sure to use heavy duty combos in order to catch and release the fish quickly and ensure their survival rate.
Speckled trout, puppy drum, and flounder are biting well around structure along the main river and around creek mouths.
Black drum are feeding on Carolina-rigged shrimp. The fish haven’t had a preference to dead or live shrimp, with both currently working.
When the winds have been from the north or northeast, the topwater striped bass bite in New Bern has been hot. If the day is overcast, the fish have continued to feed on topwater plugs until lunch.
Daniel Hancock with a 51″ citation red drum caught on the Neuse River. He was able to sight cast to the bull red with a Gulp shrimp.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that topwater fishing in the Neuse has been fantastic. Both striped bass and red drum are working the schools of bait along the shorelines, and cloudy mornings have really helped the bite last later into the day. Heddon Super Spooks and Bomber topwater plugs are go-to lures for anglers in the area.
Flounder have been holding around points and grass banks on the river’s edges, and they’re feeding on Carolina-rigged baits.
Plenty of speckled trout are being caught all the way up into New Bern. They’re hitting artificial shrimp baits under popping corks. Matching the hatch has proven true recently with all the shrimp beginning to show in the area.
Todd, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that red drum fishing has been on fire in the river. With the river full of bait, anglers have had no problem finding fish around structure while casting Carolina rigs.
Citation red drum are working their way upriver along the shoals. Early morning anglers are finding the fish on the shoals in as little as 3’ of water. Popping corks with large swimbaits are best in this scenario. Later into the afternoon, switching to cut bait on Lupton rigs works better.
Some tarpon are being caught in the sound on Carolina-rigged spot and mullet. A large (130 lb.) fish was released recently.
The flounder bite has been phenomenal, with anglers catching good-sized fish on 5” jerk shads. The favorite colors have been chartreuse and pearl white matched with 1/4 oz. jig heads.
Black drum are feeding on fresh shrimp fished on a bottom rig.
Jane Gibbs, of Fredericksburg, VA, with a striper caught on a Storm Bug Chug in the Neuse River. She was fishing with Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service.
Richie, of Eastside Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder are being caught around docks and structure along the shoreline of the main river. Anglers are having success with 1/4 oz. jig heads matched with 4” Gulp shrimp. Creek mouths and points are also producing well.
There haven’t been many reports of speckled trout being landed, but the reports of specks that have been caught are coming under popping corks.
Rockfish have continued to hit topwater lures along the shoreline, especially upriver. Fishing early mornings and late afternoons has seemed to be the best for producing bites.
Scattered citation red drum are being reported around bait schools towards the sound.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that the striped bass bite on the Pamlico has been great, with the morning topwater bite being the main focus. Anglers have been finding the fish around schools of bait and structure. Natural-colored Heddon Super Spooks are a great searching bait.
Flounder are pushing more upriver from the sound. They’re holding along the riverbanks in 2-4’ of water.
A few citation drum are already being caught in the sound, and this is promising, as anglers look forward to the huge run in the coming months.
