Pamlico May 30, 2013
C.L. Horne, of Richlands, NC, with a quartet of speckled trout that bit Rapala Skitterwalks in the New River near Jacksonville.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers are seeing some stellar topwater striped bass action on the Neuse River right now (with fish to 31”). Both Storm Chug Bugs and Rapala Skitterwalks are tempting bites from the stripers, with the best action around stumpy shorelines and other structure in the early morning hours.
Casting soft plastic baits like D.O.A. CAL and Airhead series lures has been keeping anglers in on the action after the sun gets high.
The puppy drum action has also been hot not far from New Bern (with many slot fish). Anglers are hooking the specks on the same soft plastics and popping cork rigs with D.O.A. shrimp.
The stripers and puppies have also been responding well for fly anglers, with topwater poppers producing most of the bass and Clouser Minnows effective on the pups.
Speckled trout action has slowed a bit as they appear to have spawned on the recent full moon, but the bite should return to normal soon. A few are falling for the same soft plastics and flies that anglers are casting for the puppies and stripers.
The bite has been much slower in the lower Neuse over the past week, but anglers are hooking a few trout and puppy drum along with a rare flounder on the river shorelines.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are catching plenty of striped bass in the Neuse River near New Bern, with an excellent topwater bite in the early mornings and on overcast days. Stumpy shorelines have been producing the best morning action, and anglers are connecting with the fish while casting jigs around bridge pilings and other structure later in the day.
Puppy drum (with some over the slot limit) are also feeding around New Bern and taking an interest in topwater plugs and D.O.A. soft plastics.
Michelle Lilly, of Oriental, with a fat striped bass that struck a Rapala Skitterwalk topwater plug in the Neuse River near New Bern while she was fishing with Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service.
Speckled trout action has been a bit tough recently, as the fish were likely spawning on the last full moon. They should move back into the shallows along the river shorelines and creekmouths as the moon gets smaller, and the typical summertime speck bite should be back on track soon.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers are still connecting with good numbers of puppy drum in the Pamlico River (with some undersized and some over the 18” lower end of the slot limit). Popping corks rigs have been producing most of the fish and also tempting bites from some speckled trout in the same area.
Mitch, of FishIBX.com, reports that the striped bass bite is improving, and some large females (up to 33”) are moving downriver after spawning. Anglers are catching some stripers on topwater plugs in the early morning hours, especially along stumpy shorelines, and then fishing deeper structure later in the day with soft plastics to continue staying on the action.
Along with the stripers, anglers are also hooking a mixed bag of speckled trout, puppy drum, flounder, white perch, and more. Soft plastics are fooling all the other fish as well.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching some speckled trout (nearly all solid keepers) along the river shorelines down towards the sound, as the fish seem to be headed for the open water. Soft plastics like Gulp baits and MirrOlure MR17’s are both producing results on the trout.
Puppy drum are on the feed from Bath and Goose Creek on up towards the Pungo River (with most 16-20”). Anglers are hooking them on soft plastics and live baits.
Some healthy flounder are taking an interest in Gulps and live baits in Rose Bay and around Swan Quarter.
Not much has been happening with the striped bass action around Washington, but it’s likely because not many people are fishing for them.
