Pamlico/Neuse – September 2022
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that red drum fishing has been really picking up, with anglers finding both slot and citation-class red drum from the sounds all the way to well up into the river. Those looking to target the trophy reds are having the most success when finding areas holding plenty of bait before starting their fishing efforts.
A few tarpon have also been caught by anglers bottom fishing while targeting the larger reds.
Anglers working the deeper holes along the main river shoreline up into creek mouths have been catching a few speckled trout.
Up around structure in New Bern, anglers are still finding a good striped bass bite on both topwater plugs and paddle tail swimbaits.
Clayton Willis (left) and Harris Lane (middle) caught this redfish on cut mullet in the Pungo River. They were fishing with Tim Royals (right).
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that old drum fishing has only been getting better. Anglers scouting out fish are finding good numbers around, but strong winds from either the west or the north have made conditions a bit difficult. The tried-and-true tactic of targeting bait schools with popping cork setups has produced most of these large strikes.
A few tarpon have also been caught with larger swimbaits on these same drum trips.
Working the shallower banks of the river has been producing slot-sized red drum and mixed striped bass. Both topwater plugs or soft plastics rigged under popping corks have produced most of these bites.
Joe, of Caps Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been seeing some great red drum fishing. Slot-sized reds are pushed up around docks, stumps, and similar structure along the shallower shorelines. A popping cork rigged with Gulp soft plastics or Vudu shrimp will get strikes.
The long-awaited citation-class red drum have started to show up, and they’re striking at larger popping cork setups fished around ledges and shoals in deeper water.
There’s a good striped bass bite for anglers targeting the river shorelines around areas with docks and pilings. Topwater plugs are the preferred tactic, with anglers also finding plenty of success casting soft plastics such as Z-Man paddle tails.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that old drum fishing has been good on most days. If you can’t find the fish with artificials or popping cork setups, soaking dead bait can help get a strike.
Slot-sized red drum action has also been hot. Topwater plugs and gold spoons have been very successful as scouting baits. Anglers are also getting strikes with popping corks matched with a 3-4” soft plastic. Even cut baits will get strikes if the fish are being very finicky.
The striped bass action remains steady. Topwaters have been best in the early morning, with hard baits being more productive as the day wears on.
A few speckled trout are around, with most action being out towards shorelines off the sound, and bridges and other hard structure in the lower river have been holding black drum and sheepshead.
Dana, of Reel2Reel Fishing, reports that there has been a good push of menhaden moving into the river. Anglers are finding this to have red drum action heating up. There have been plenty of slot fish around, but now the larger bull reds are moving in in better numbers. This period is a great time to start targeting the river’s ledges, especially those holding bait. Popping corks rigged with larger (5”) D.O.A. or Z-Man soft plastics are the proven setup.
The slot-sized red drum are holding more to the shorelines and around areas of docks or structure.
Speckled trout are in the area, though most are pushed over to the eastern edge of the Neuse and holding in deeper waters. Early morning anglers are finding most of the trout action.
Striped bass are staged up around area creeks for anglers looking to fish topwaters and other artificials.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that water temperatures are still really high, and this has most of the fishing action spread out.
Anglers have been catching slot-sized red drum while fishing Carolina-rigged live or cut baits along the shorelines.
Some speckled trout are mixed in the action along the banks, with live baits being best. Under the right conditions, or early in the day, anglers have caught a few with topwater plugs and soft plastics under popping corks.
The trophy class of red drum have started to show up, with most action being from anglers fishing larger cut bait setups along shoal ledges in the river. A few are also being caught by anglers targeting bait balls with popping cork setups and larger soft plastics.
Tarpon are being seen rolling in many of these same areas, with a few anglers enticing successful hookups.
Dane Roberts (age 9) landed this 49.5″ red drum on cut mullet while fishing near Cedar Island.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that striped bass action has been good for anglers looking for an artificial bait bite. Targeting areas of shoreline structure holding bait will produce the best action.
There are some tarpon pushed into the area, and the trophy red drum action is starting to pick up. Anglers should run between ledges and look for concentrations of bait to start targeting the bulls.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that the wind direction change to out of the north helped in picking up the speckled trout bite in the lower Pungo area. As the water continues to cool, these trout will only start to group up more around creek mouths to feed during their fall run.
Slot red drum action has been great, with most action being found in area creek mouths, too.
Bull red drum have shown up and are being found just about everywhere. Shoals in the river to shoals out into the sound are always popular areas to target, but there are quite a few of these trophy fish right up into the creek mouths and feeding on the plentiful bait.
There’s a good striped bass bite for anglers targeting structured shorelines with topwaters or soft plastics.
Flounder season is right around the corner, which is on every angler’s mind as they keep pulling in (and releasing) a nice 18-20” class of flatfish while targeting these other species.
