Pamlico June 20, 2013
Harry Stewart of Vanceboro, NC, with a slot red drum that bit a Zara Spook near New Bern while he was fishing with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin’ Charters.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that fishing’s been a bit tough with all the recent wind, but anglers are still connecting with some speckled trout and red drum in the lower Neuse River. The fish have been scattered, and staying on the move and picking off a fish or two at one spot has been the norm recently (but anglers are catching some healthy specks and pups).
A few flounder are also in the mix. D.O.A. Shrimp have been the most productive lures lately, with the large 1/2 oz. models the best bet when the winds are up. When it’s calmer, 1/4 oz. shrimp crawled along the bottom or fished beneath popping corks have been producing results.
Some large red drum have already begun to show up in the lower Neuse and Pamlico Sound to feed on the abundant bait in the area. Anglers should be alert for slicks and large wakes on the water for an opportunity to hook one of the big reds while they’re looking for the puppies and specks.
Striped bass are still feeding around New Bern, but it’s been tough to fish for them with low water in the area recently. When the water’s up, casting topwater plugs in the morning and evening hours has been tempting plenty of bites from the stripers.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers are connecting with some striped bass and red drum in the Neuse River near New Bern. West winds have made the fishing a bit tough lately, but anglers are connecting with both fish on topwater plugs in the early morning hours while casting around stumpy shorelines and other structure. Working deeper areas with soft plastic baits is producing results later in the day.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are feeding downriver from Oriental, but they have also been a bit scattered lately. Soft plastics worked under popping corks are tempting bites from the specks and reds when anglers find them.
Melissa Lowe hooked this Neuse River speck on a D.O.A. shrimp while fishing near Oriental with Capt. Dave Stewart of Knee Deep Custom Charters.
Mitch, of FishIBX.com, reports that anglers are seeing some solid flounder fishing in the Pungo River recently. Most of the flatfish are taking an interest in Gulp baits of varying colors (with both keeper and undersized flatfish in the mix).
Croaker are also on the feed in the Pungo and biting bottom rigs baited with shrimp and other baits.
The striped bass action in the Neuse River has slowed down, considerably, but flounder fishing is improving. Gulps are also fooling the flounder in the Neuse (again of mixed sizes).
Some speckled trout and puppy drum are also looking for meals in the Neuse River, and taking an interest in a variety of soft plastics fished beneath popping corks.
Working Z-Man soft plastics close to the bottom is producing action with the specks, reds, and flatfish as well.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports many local anglers have been fishing the Morehead area recently, but those who’ve stuck closer to home are finding some quality speckled trout around Swan Quarter, Germantown, and towards the Pamlico Sound.
Puppy drum and an occasional flounder are feeding in the Pamlico River and taking a hearty interest in Gulp shrimp and curlytails in white and chartreuse.
Citation class red drum are beginning to show up around the mouth of the Neuse River and on the eastern side of the sound, so they should be making their way closer to local anglers over the coming weeks.
