Pamlico/Neuse – May 2022
Rick, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that speckled trout anglers have been finding the schools moving out of creeks and staged up along the river shorelines. These fish are slowly working their way down to the sound. Both MirrOlures and soft plastics have been producing strikes.
Scattered puppy drum are mixed in along the shorelines as these fish move into the area with a greater presence.
Striped bass have still been moving upriver as they finish their seasonal spawn.
Anglers fishing the inlets just off the sound have started to see the first spanish mackerel of the year while trolling Yo-Zuri deep divers and Clarkspoons.
Boone Aycock, of Raleigh, hooked this striper with a paddletail soft plastic on a 3/8 oz. jig head in the Tar River.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout action has been good, with most action now moved away from the creek mouths and spread out along the river shorelines. As water temperatures warm, look for topwater fishing to be picking up in the coming weeks.
Some slot-sized red drum are mixed in these same areas as they move in from the sound.
A couple trophy-sized old drum have been caught by trout anglers, and schools of bluefish have also begun to arrive in the river.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that fish have been moving out of creeks now that stable and warmer weather patterns are becoming more common. Anglers targeting the main Neuse River shorelines have been finding a mixed bag of speckled trout, red drum, striped bass, and a few flounder.
All the inshore species are in a constantly moving, transitional pattern, and they are feeding alongside each other. This will continue through May when the action starts to settle into warm water patterns as more bait arrives. Both topwater plugs and soft plastics are great for covering ground to find some solid spring action.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that fish are moving a lot during this time of spring transition. The constant high winds also have anglers staying flexible and scouting different areas to find successful fishing.
Topwater plugs have been a great option on recent trips as they allow you to work through areas searching for fish action. Red drum, speckled trout, and striped bass are all striking at these plugs, a great sign that all three species are getting over their wintertime sluggish movements. If you find the fish just missing hookups but still pushing on plugs, it’s an expert move to follow up with a lightly weighted soft plastic.
There has also been plenty of action for anglers fishing MirrOlure MR-17s, 18s, and 27s. The key to spring fishing is to really home in on areas of structure, especially those that are holding bait. Find structure with bait, and surely there are fish nearby.
Dana, of Reel2Reel Fishing, reports that red drum fishing has been picking up a lot in the Neuse River, and it’s getting even better as more schools move in from the sound. Anglers have found action with a variety of tactics so far this spring.
Fishing Carolina-rigged cut baits, Gulp or Z-man soft plastics, and topwater lures have all had successes. Baits with purple or white in the color patterns seem to be working better. Z-Man paddle tails in “Beer Run” and “Troutsickle” are good examples of this.
When winds are strong, targeting the hard points along the sides of the river out of the wind has been most productive. Finding one of these areas with stumps or other structure is even better.
There has been a lot of speckled trout mixed in these same areas. Anglers are having success with topwater plugs and popping cork setups matched with D.O.A., Billy Bay, or Gulp soft plastics.
Striped bass are another bonus species that will be feeding alongside both the trout and reds.
Brent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout in both the Pamlico and Pungo rivers have been on the move. These schools have been working their way out of the creeks and staging up on points and out onto river shorelines. MirrOlures, Rapala X-Raps, and local favorite Salty Bay Baits “Dazzle Minnow” suspending lures have all been very successful during this trout transition period.
Striped bass fishing has moved between fair and steady as they also adjust from their spawning patterns.
Slot-sized red drum have started to show up around creek mouths and shoreline points, and flounder are moving in at the same time, with catch and release action mixed in with the other species.
Craig Lanier, of Eastern Outfitters, hooked this speckled trout on a MirrOlure 17MR in the upper Pungo River area. He was fishing with Capt. Hugh Sutton of Pungo Charters.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that anglers have been finding a mixed bag of speckled trout, slot red drum, and scattered striped bass all coming from the same shoreline areas. The spring transition has these species moving out of the warmer creek waters into the river as bait pushes in from the sound.
Water temperatures have anglers now finding some success with topwater plugs, while popping corks rigged with soft plastics are also getting plenty of strikes. MirrOlure MR-17s and Rapala X-Rap twitch baits have been great throughout the cooler months and are still a great option for covering larger areas and scouting out schools.
