Pamlico – October 8, 2015
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers who got out between the strong weather systems last week still found some large red drum in the lower Neuse River. Large D.O.A. Swimbait soft plastics under popping corks continue to fool the big reds, but anglers looking to hook up with one won’t have much time left before the fish exit the rivers and sounds as fall wears on.
Smaller speckled trout are feeding along the river’s shorelines and biting D.O.A. shrimp under popping corks and CAL soft plastics on jigheads and weedless hooks.
Striped bass are feeding upriver around New Bern, and anglers should see some solid action with the stripers when the weather moderates. Casting topwater plugs around shoreline structure is the most exciting way to connect with the stripers. The best bets lately have been Rapala Skitterwalks and Storm Chug Bugs and Arashi Top Walkers.
Wherever anglers are fishing on the Neuse, they should remember to be careful in navigating, as flooding from the storm has plenty of lumber and other debris floating down the river.
Capt. Dave Stewart, of Knee Deep Charters, with a citation-class red drum that bit a D.O.A. Deadly Combo Rig in the lower Neuse River near Minnesott Beach.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers are connecting with some keeper striped bass in the Neuse River around New Bern. They’re biting flies, topwater plugs, and a variety of soft plastics.
There’s also a good speckled trout and puppy drum bite along the shorelines of the lower river. D.O.A. shrimp and other soft plastics will fool both fish.
Luke, Trent, and Rusty Huffines with a trio of slot red drum that bit a silver Rat-L-Trap while they were casting from the dock at River Dunes Marina in Oriental.
Mitch, of FishIBX.com, reports that there was some excellent action with citation-class red drum for anglers fishing ahead of last week’s storm. The fish are still scattered across the Neuse River system and biting a wide variety of large artificial lures, but they’ll be making a mass exodus in the coming days as the water temperatures are falling and shrimp seem to be leaving the area.
The keeper striped bass season opened October 1, and anglers have plenty to look forward to in regards to striper fishing on the Neuse and other area rivers. The fish are plentiful and hungry, and anglers can fool them with topwater plugs or subsurface lures like swimbaits and other soft plastics.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers are finding some light-tackle action with speckled trout, flounder, puppy drum, and striped bass while targeting structure and shorelines in the area’s lower river systems. Artificial lures like Z-Man soft plastics are fooling most of the fish.
There was also still some solid action with citation-class red drum last week, though the season should be winding down soon. Anglers are hooking the reds on larger artificials and cut baits like mullet.
Isaiah, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that not many anglers have been venturing out onto the local waters in the past week, but those fishing from shore and bridges are still catching some fish. Some speckled trout, flounder, and white perch have been biting around Bath. Gulp and Z-Man soft plastics and hard baits like MR17 MirrOlures are fooling the specks and flounder, with smaller artificials like Beetle Spins getting attention from the perch.
Anglers are also hooking some white perch around Washington.
The water in the Tar and Pamlico rivers is high but still clean after last week’s heavy rains. Anglers are hoping it doesn’t get too dirty as the rivers drain areas further inland over the coming days.
