Pamlico May 12, 2011
Mackie Elam (age 13), from Hampstead, NC, with a pair of 21" striped bass he caught while fishing the Roanoke River near Weldon with Michael Shearin and Wesley Gross on the "Sea Average."
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the striped bass bite in the Neuse River around New Bern is incredible right now, though the season is closed and it’s a catch-and-release fishery. The fish are moving back downriver after spawning, and anglers are hooking big numbers of stripers in the early mornings on topwater plugs and suspending hard baits, then transitioning to jig/soft plastic combos later in the day with excellent results as well.
The fly bite has also been very good (again with surface poppers in the mornings, then on sinking lines and Clouser-type flies later in the day).
The red drum bite is a bit slow, as the fish are transitioning out of the creeks and on to the main river shorelines around Oriental, but anglers who work at it are still catching decent numbers (along with some fat fish to 30”). Soft plastics and live and cut baits are producing most of the action with the reds, and anglers are also picking up some scattered speckled trout and flounder while fishing for them.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching some flounder around Bath on Gulp swimming mullet in pearl white and chartreuse.
Some speckled trout and puppy drum are feeding in the creeks, but the bite’s been a bit off and not many anglers have been fishing for them recently.
Dave, of Minnesott Beach Bait and Tackle, reports that there are still plenty of striped bass to be caught in the Neuse River around New Bern, but the season closed May 1st and not many anglers have been pursuing them as it’s an all catch-and-release fishery. Wobblehead eels and other artificials will get attention from the stripers.
Downriver, anglers are hooking up with some puppy drum and some small speckled trout around the creekmouths and river shorelines while casting suspending lures and soft plastic baits.
Flounder fishing has been decent (with increasing numbers of keepers) for anglers casting Gulp baits and other soft plastics. The fish are transitioning into a summer pattern and feeding around bulkheads, rockpiles, and other structure in the river. Anywhere anglers see bait working near the structure is a likely spot to try for the flatfish.
Clark Purvis with a healthy striped bass he hooked on a Clouser Minnow while fly-casting in the Roanoke River with Capt. Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Guide Service.
Donald, of Custom Marine and Sports, reports that not much has been going on locally, but anglers are catching some sea mullet and gray trout inshore near Morehead on spec rigs tipped with shrimp.
Flounder fishing is turning on around nearshore structure like the artificial reefs off Beaufort Inlet.
Cobia are beginning to make an appearance around Cape Lookout, but the bite isn’t in full swing yet.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some grouper and other bottom dwellers at structure off Beaufort Inlet and on the east side of the Cape.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that the striped bass fishing in the Roanoke River remains red-hot, particularly in the mornings. There’s been an excellent topwater and fly bite recently, and the best action remains around Weldon.
When the fish are reluctant to hit the flies and topwater plugs, soft plastics and live baits are the ticket to hook ups.
