Pamlico – October 26, 2017
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that striper fishing has turned on in the Pamlico River. Topwater lures have worked best in the morning and evening hours, while stick baits and soft plastics have done the trick mid-day.
Speckled trout fishing has started to pick up in the creeks off of the main river. The Pungo and Bath areas have held good numbers of fish. MirrOlures have been the lure of choice for trout.
A few puppy drum are still hanging around the area. Gulp plastics fished along grass lines has been the trick to finding a few willing fish.
Megan Dewar, of New Bern, NC, with a red drum that fell for a Z-man SwimmerZ that was underneath a popping cork. She was fishing near Oriental.
Todd, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that speckled trout have started to make their way into area creeks. Anglers targeting creek mouths with popping corks and topwater plugs have done best. Most fish landed have been in the 16-18” range, with several citation-sized fish being landed as well.
Those looking for puppy drum have found plenty of action along the Neuse River. Cut mullet and crab, popping cork rigs, and live finger mullet have all worked well for the reds. Most fish have been in the slot.
Anglers looking to box a few striper have found quick limits in the Neuse. Topwater plugs and swim baits have been the go-to lures, and most fish have been in the 17-19” range. A few over-slot fish have been in the mix as well.
Flounder fishing remains solid in the river. Casting live minnows and Z-Man plastics along steeper banks and drop-offs have produced the most fish.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that inshore fishing has been hit or miss lately. Some days the fish are fired up, and other days they are tight lipped.
A few striper, red drum, and speckled trout have been landed. Popping cork rigs and soft plastics on jig heads have worked best.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that with the recent temperature drop, the speckled trout bite has improved. Anglers targeting creek mouths along the banks and in the main channel have found the most fish. Anglers have landed limits of fish on D.O.A. plastics rigged on 1/8 and 1/4 oz. jig heads. The D.O.A. plastics rigged under a popping cork have also worked well.
Striper fishing has been hot near stump fields and dock structure. Topwater action with the D.O.A. PT-7 has been great. For those wanting to toss soft plastics, the D.O.A. TerrorEyZ has been the ticket.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that lots of bait has been present around New Bern and down river. Around all of that bait, anglers have found good numbers of striper, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and a few largemouth bass. A mix of topwater plugs, popping cork rigs, and shrimp-imitation plastics have worked best.
Ginger Sewell, of Wilmington, NC, with an old red drum caught while fishing with Capt. Joe Ward in the Pamlico Sound.
Grey, of Hyde Guides, reports that speckled trout fishing has been on fire in the Pamlico River and the Pamlico Sound. Anglers are having no problem landing multiple limits of fish each trip. White Z-Man plastics on jig heads have been the best way to target the specs.
A few flounder are still feeding in the area, with a few keepers being landed while trout fishing.
Those looking for red drum action have had the best luck targeting sand bars in the sound and river. Sight fishing has worked best, and casting Rapala Skitterwalk topwater plugs has been the go-to lure.
Around the wrecks, anglers have found a good sheepshead and black drum bite. Using a double drop rig with fresh shrimp has been the ticket. Some of the black drum have pushed the 20 lb. mark.
