Pamlico – October 13, 2016
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that speckled trout, puppy drum, and flounder have all been eating well post-storm, and anglers are having no problem finding a mess of fish for dinner. All three species are being found on the Neuse River from New Bern out to the sound. The main river is providing the best action while fishing around New Bern, while the creeks are holding more fish downriver in the sound.
The DOA C.A.L. jerk baits and shad tails in natural colors on 1/8 oz. and 1/4 oz. jigheads bounced off of the bottom have been effective at tempting all three species. Flounder have been taking particular interest in the 2.75” DOA shrimp in the Figi Chix color.
Topwater action for striped bass and trout has been excellent when the weather permits. Areas with heavy structure like docks, stump beds, drop-offs, or blown over trees have been providing the best action in the morning and afternoon. Anglers should also consider topwater lures throughout the day when it is overcast, as the fish don’t seem to be affected by the sun as much. The Rapala Skitter V and Storm Arashi Top Walker have been the top baits in colors like white, chartreuse, and orange bottom.
Tyler Odell, of Pantego, with a 49″ red drum caught on cut mullet in the Neuse River.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that the old drum bite has disappeared and anglers are focusing all of their efforts on speckled trout, puppy drum, flounder, and striped bass. The striped bass and speckled trout bite has been excellent in creeks off of the Neuse River and shorelines on the main river. Working a variety of soft plastics on jigheads or weedless hooks have been producing the best results. Live shrimp and soft plastic imitations floated beneath a popping cork has also been effective at tempting bites from both species, with the specs taking particular interest in their favorite crustacean.
Anglers have been connecting with good numbers of puppy drum in the creeks off of the Neuse River. The fish have all been a smaller class of fish, but there are plenty around to be caught. Soft plastics on jigheads have been providing the majority of the action, but live mud minnows on Carolina rigs can also tempt bites from reluctant reds that are disinterested in artificial baits
Austin Adams (age 11), of Washington, with a black drum caught on shrimp in the Pamlico River.
Haley, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that flounder fishing in the Neuse River has been excellent, with many citation-class fish coming to the scales recently. Gulp shrimp on jigheads or 1/2 oz. SPRO bucktails have been tempting bites from this tasty flatfish. Anglers are also connecting with plenty of flounder using live baits like mullet and mud minnows on Carolina rigs with kahle hooks.
Most of these flatfish are coming from creek mouths just off of the main river, but as the water cools, the flounder fishing will only get better as more fish move into the area. Puppy drum are holding in the same area, so anglers have the opportunity to hook up with both species while fishing one area.
Anglers fishing Kershaw Creek and Greens Creek have been reporting an excellent speckled trout bite. The Bay River and its creeks have also been producing an excellent trout bite. Live and imitation shrimp floated underneath a popping cork have been excellent for putting small trout in the boat.
The largest trout are being taken on artificial baits like jerk shads and curly tail grubs pinned to jigheads and weedless hooks fished near heavy structure like blow overs, docks, stump beds, and oyster beds. Mixed in with the trout are plenty of striped bass and red drum, both of which will take interest in the same baits.
Striped bass have been feeding in the Neuse River around New Bern, and they’ve been taking particular interest in topwater baits fished overtop of heavy structure. Underwater stump beds have been holding the most fish, but docks and bridges also have a fair number of fish feeding nearby. Soft plastics on jigheads have been tempting bites from the stripers, too.
