Pamlico – June 9, 2016
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the speckled trout fishing in the lower Neuse River has been excellent recently, with large numbers of big fish being caught. Most of the specs are being caught along the shore lines of large bays and in marsh areas while fishing soft plastics under a popping cork like the DOA Deadly Combo.
Jerk shads fished on jigheads or weedless weighted hooks is also extremely effective at tempting bites from the trout.
Also in the lower Neuse are plenty of slot red drum that are in many of the same areas as the trout, and they can be caught using the same lures and techniques. There are some over-slot to citation sized reds also moving in to the Neuse. Anglers can sight cast to them using artificial lures when they are spotted patrolling grass beds and marsh edges.
Anglers are seeing increasing action with flounder and small striped bass while fishing near heavy structure like docks, pilings, and bridges. Soft plastics like the 3” DOA C.A.L. shad tail on a jighead will put plenty of both fish in the boat.
Bryon Wollam, of Salt Lake City, UT, with a gaffer dolphin caught on a live menhaden. He was fishing at Northwest Places with Capt. Bobby Bourquint, of Teezher Charters.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers are finding steady action with speckled trout in the lower Pamlico River. The quality of fish is mixed, with anglers having to pick through small fish to find the keepers, but there are plenty of fish to be taken home. Scented soft plastics like the Zoom Super Fluke Jr. on a weighted hook will tempt bites from the hungry specs.
Flounder are also moving into the lower reaches of the Pamlico River, and mixed in with them are some slot redfish. Fishing soft plastics in creek mouths, ledges, and grass banks is the best way to target both species. Some large over-slot reds have also been spotted in some of the same areas, and anglers can target them using the same methods.
Striped bass are being caught around heavy structure, deep ledges, and stump beds. While the fish are fairly small, there are plenty to be caught in the river for anglers looking for some action. Hard baits like 1/8 oz. Rat-L-Traps are fooling the majority of the stripers, but anglers can also connect with them using soft plastics and other artificial baits.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are finding increasing action with trout, drum, and flounder throughout the reaches of the lower Neuse River. Grassy banks in the river, and in the creeks and bays just off of the main river, are holding plenty of fish for anglers.
Fishing soft plastics like the DOA TerrorEyz just off the grass banks and marsh edges will tempt bites from any reds that may be patrolling the area looking for an easy meal.
Trout and flounder will be found further off the bank, and they can be fooled using popping corks (like the DOA Deadly Combo) fished slow.
Devin, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding great action with speckled trout and flounder throughout the lower Pamlico River and the Pungo River. Fishing marshy areas, creek mouths, and heavy structure like docks using soft plastics like the Gulp 4” swimming mullet or Z-Man Paddlerz has been especially effective at catching large trout recently.
Anglers fishing the bays and marshes around Swansquarter and Germantown are reporting excellent action with slot-sized redfish. The topwater bite is more prevalent during the early morning and late evening, and it slows during the heat of the day. Once the topwater bite is through, anglers are reporting success using popping corks fished with live shrimp and mud minnows (or artificial shrimp).
Some large over-slot red drum have been caught north of the Gull Rock Game Lands, especially around Englehard and the surrounding area. Cut mullet and menhaden fished on Carolina rigs with large circle hooks are the best way to target these old drum.
