Pamlico – May 11, 2017
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that the fishing the past two weeks has been slow. Anglers are picking up a few trout here and there, and these specks are taking Gulp 4” swimming mullet in pearl white and chartreuse. Yo-Zuri 3D minnows are also working on the trout.
A few flounder are being caught, mostly on Gulp shrimp in pearl white.
Anglers can still land a striper or two, but the keeper season has closed.
Ron Zelenski with a speckled trout weighing in at 7.75 lbs. The fish fell for a Yo-Zuri 3D twitchbait.
Todd, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that the Neuse River has a much higher than usual salinity for this time of year, which is causing an abundance of specks, flounder, and redfish.
Most of the bigger trout have moved out to spawn, but a few anglers are still connecting with the fish on live mud minnows, Z-Man and Gulp soft plastics, and bait under popping corks.
Due to the high amounts of bait around the river, flounder are taking live finger mullet along with Gulp 4” curly tail grubs, in white or chartreuse.
Puppy drum in the area will also take live finger mullet.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that the Ronanoke River is going full-throttle with stripers as the water levels are spiking. Artificals, like soft plastic flukes, is a way to connect with the rockfish, and the topwater bite is good when you can find a window. Look for deep pockets holding bait and eddies for throwing topwaters.
The stripers have also moved out into the sound, and the trout bite is still decent. Anglers are picking up a few reds here and there, and all three species will take topwaters and soft plastics.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that the water is muddy in and around the New Bern area, but the fish are plentiful and hungry. Those looking for action from stripers should throw topwater baits, or they can cast swimming jigs and minnows to hook up with the fish.
David Lisle, of Fayetteville, with a trout caught in the Neuse River on a Yo-Zuri 3D minnow. He was fishing with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin’ Charters.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that the cobia bite is strong right now, and anglers need to work the nearshore waters, casting jigs ahead of the fish and working to get a head turn. Anglers targeting cobia can also look for bait balls and cast into them. Meat Hog jigs work well on the cobia, as well as DOA Sna-Koils rigged on a 1/2 oz. DOA jig head (which mimic an eel).
The trout have moved out into the river and the sound. Anglers will find them along the marsh shorelines and in deeper holes in the area. The fish are taking soft plastics, and the DOA Deadly Combo will land the specs, along with drum and flounder that may be in the area.
The drum are showing up as well, hugging tight to the bank and chewing on crabs, and some of the citation-sized fish have already taken up inside Pamlico Sound.
