Pamlico – June 23, 2016
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout fishing on the Neuse River has been excellent recently, with large fish being caught. Most of the trout are falling for artificial shrimp fished below a popping cork, but they will also take interest in topwater plugs when the fish can be spotted feeding on the surface. Topwater plugs are especially effective early in the morning and late in the evening when the sun is low and the wind is light.
Anglers are also connecting with flounder and striped bass further upriver when fishing soft plastics like the 3” Gulp jerk shad on jigheads near heavy structure like docks, bridges, and stump beds.
Large red drum should be moving into the Neuse River as the water warms and more bait moves into the area. Soaking live and cut bait or working large soft plastics under popping corks will tempt bites from the old drum. Some of the best fishing is at night, mostly due to the cooler weather, but anglers can also find them during the day.
Lisa Lopp caught this sheepshead on a live sea urchin while fishing around the 4th street Morehead City docks.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that the Pamlico River is holding plenty of red drum for anglers to target. The majority of the fish are slot fish and are being caught on a variety of different lures including soft plastics on jigheads, live bait on Carolina rigs, and both live and artificial baits under a popping cork. Mixed in with the reds are good numbers of keeper flounder that can be tempted using the same techniques.
Large redfish are beginning to move in the Pamlico Sound and Pamlico River, and anglers are finding great action with these old drum. Soaking bits of blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig is the easiest way to target over-slot drum. A chum bag will increase your odds of hooking up, but it will also bring in small sharks and plenty of skates and rays.
Speckled trout fishing on the Pamlico River has been excellent recently with steady action coming from area creeks and bays. Fishing soft plastics like the Z-Man PaddlerZ on a weedless hook will tempt bites from any hungry trout that is in the area. Most of the trout are stacked up just a few feet off grass beds where they are waiting for an easy meal to swim by. They can also be found around structure like docks and bridges.
Dave Stewart, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are having a tough time finding consistent action on the Neuse River due to the unpredictable weather. On days when anglers can get out and fish, there are plenty of small trout in the area, but anglers are having to weed through them to find a few to take home. Soft plastics are fooling the majority of the specs. The 3” DOA C.A.L. shad tails rigged on a 1/8 oz. jighead have been particularly effective lately at tempting bites from trout of all size. The DOA Deadly Combo has also fooled plenty of trout.
There has been a few keeper flounder mixed in as well.
Striped bass are still being caught in the New Bern area, with the majority of the fish being taken on topwater plugs early and late in the day.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that the Roanoke River is holding a mixed bag of fish and there are possibilities of an inshore super slam for anglers. Anglers are catching large flounder in the 5 lb. range as well as trout, reds, and stripers. Soft plastics and live baits like mud minnows under a popping cork will fool all four species.
Covering plenty of ground is the key to success this time of the year. Fish are on the move, so anglers shouldn’t be afraid to pick up and try new spots.
Isaiah, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that the area flounder bite is improving with fish being caught at the mouth of the Pungo River, marshy areas, creek mouths, and docks. Live bait like mud minnows fished close to the bottom will tempt bites from the flatfish. There are also plenty of small trout mixed in, but anglers will have to pick through smaller fish to find the keepers.
The large red drum fishing continues to improve as more bait moves into the sound. Swan Quarter and the surrounding areas are the best spots to currently target the old drum.
