Pamlico/Neuse River – December 2024
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that with water temperatures cooling down, the speckled trout are moving up into the creeks and more upriver. Suspending baits such as MirrOlures are always a good option this time of year, with soft plastics such as Z-Man shrimp also having success (though being a little less popular). This season, the Paul Brown line of lures have been a local favorite.
The water temperature change has started to push some of the bluefish out.
In the coming weeks, anglers can start targeting the striped bass in the area. Finding areas of bait is key in this fishery, whether that’s finding bait around stumps or other hard structures such as bridges. The stripers don’t get super lethargic in the cooler temperatures, so topwater plugs will still have a lot of success in the wintertime.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that the trout are stacking up in deeper holes throughout the creeks and rivers. The target areas will be where these creeks bend, especially when deeper holes have a flat nearby. The trout will scoot up onto the muddy bottoms on the warmer, sunny days to heat up.
While targeting these areas, fish slow-sinking baits, such as soft plastics on super light jig heads or twitch baits. Make sure to match your weight with the current to allow the baits to basically suspend in the water column. These cooler water temperatures require a slow retrieval of baits, and when winter really settles in, you can never be fishing slow enough.
Some red drum are being found in big schools out in the main river towards the sound. Having some clear water conditions matched with warm, sunny, and calmer days can help anglers locate these fish. Once found, sight-cast small jigs that don’t make a lot of sound (to be sure not to spook the schools).
Striped bass will be found pushing back up into the creeks and rivers. Soft plastic jerk shads and jerk baits will be great for targeting these fish.
Waylon Cox, of Goldsboro, landed this 7 lb. striped bass in the Neuse River. He was fishing with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin’ Charters out of New Bern.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that the speckled trout action was firing up until the area saw a quick, 10-degree water temperature change that scattered the fish. Anglers will do best by starting their efforts around mid-way back in creeks and working their way further back.
The good news is that anglers have been finding a class of 20-23” fish all fall. The favorite lures are D.O.A. shrimp and Paul Browns in purple color patterns. If a bunch of bait is in the area, a 3” paddle tail with a 1/8 oz. jig head is a good idea, too.
Anglers can find scattered red drum, flounder, and striped bass all mixed in the same creeks (from Slocum down to Bay River).
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding speckled trout all over the place, such as up in New Bern near the train trestles, around the Pungo main river and its creeks, and up towards Washington along the main river shorelines. Anglers are having some success with Z-Man soft plastics, but most of the action has transitioned over to twitch baits. MirrOlures, Backwater Bandits, and Slick Lures have all been some of the local favorites.
A few red drum are scattered in the action down towards the sound, though most of these fish are headed towards the beach.
Moving into the winter months, anglers can still get in on the trout fishing action, but the tactics slightly change. Fishing slow is going to be the only way to get a bite. MirrOlures, Rapala Twitchin’ Raps, and Paul Brown lures are all good options for moving through the water even when retrieved very slow.
Violet Vaughn, of Chapel Hill, hooked this 17″ speckled trout in a creek near Belhaven on cut mullet.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that anglers have been finding the better numbers of speckled trout in the backs of creeks. Suspending lures such as Rapala Twitchin’ Raps or MirrOlure MR-17s have been producing best, with the hot color pattern being anything with some purple in it. Overall, the class of fish is good, with trout up to the 24-25” range.
Over the winter months, it’s all about slowing down the retrieve and focusing on areas where there is some bait.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that the speckled trout action is moving up towards the heads of rivers (Washington and Chocowinity) and further up into the creeks. Anglers are having a lot of success jigging soft plastics such as paddle tails or jerk shads in deeper holes in these areas. Color patterns such as “Beer Run” or something with a little pink in it have been successful. Of course, the suspending jerk baits are also having a lot of success as they do each winter.
Most of the trout are in the 18-20” range, with some 22-26” fish also hanging around. The pattern lately has been bigger trout up on shallow flats around the holes, with most of the school in the holes.
Some red drum are mixed in the action, especially if fishing a creek flat around some stumps.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that speckled trout action has been fired up in the backs of creeks and in the deeper holes. After a run of warmer weather, anglers can also find trout pushed up onto nearby flats.
The red drum sight casting action has finally started to kick off now that water conditions are clearing up and temperatures are coming down. Anglers might need to hunt a lot and cover ground, but these fish will not be picky once you find them, with anything from spoons to any soft plastic enticing strikes.
A few striped bass are being picked up here and there.
