Pamlico – September 28, 2017
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that those chasing big red drum are still finding plenty of action. Both fresh cut mullet and popping cork rigs have been producers.
The speckled trout bite has been irregular, but those covering lots of water have found limits of fish. Most fish have been in the 13-18” range. The best baits have been Gulp shrimp and MirrOlure MR17s.
A few flounder are also being landed in the Pamlico River. Gulp soft plastics in white have been the best bet to hook a flatfish.
Dan Duffy, of Wilmington, with a citation red drum caught and released in the Pamlico Sound. He was fishing cut mullet on the bottom with Capt. Jennings Rose of North State Guide Service.
Todd, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that the big drum bite in the Neuse River is still holding steady. Anglers are having double digit days both throwing popping cork rigs and soaking fresh, cut mullet.
The slot redfish are feeding well in the river. Chunk crab, cut mullet, soft plastics, and topwater plugs have all been working well on the reds.
Speckled trout are staging to move back into the creeks, and anglers have found good numbers of fish when targeting areas near creek mouths. Soft plastics on jig heads and under popping corks have been the best tactics.
Striper fishing has been hot, and fish have been landed on topwater plugs (like the Whopper Plopper) throughout the day. Soft plastics like the Z-Man MinnowZ have also worked well. Many days are producing double digit numbers.
Those looking for some fish for the cooler have found a good black drum bite in the river. Live shrimp has been the ticket. Plenty of fish in the 3-6 lb. range have been landed, and a few fish have pushed the 15 lb. mark.
Flounder fishing has started to pick up in the Neuse area. Those casting white Z-Man curly tails and bucktails with Pro-Cure have found the best success.
One 37” cobia was landed in the Neuse River.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that anglers looking for their trophy red drum haven’t had any problems finding one (or more). The large drum have been willing to eat a variety of artificial lures, as well as a fly from time to time.
Fishing around the banks of the Neuse River, the slot red drum and speckled trout bite has heated up. Anglers have had luck throwing popping cork rigs with soft plastics and topwater plugs.
The striper bite is still going strong, with the topwater bite producing the most action.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that the big red drum bite is still hot, and fish are being landed far up the Neuse River. Casting the D.O.A. popping cork rigs with Air Head plastics have done the trick. Making lots of noise with the cork is key to landing these big fish.
Striper fishing has continued to provide plenty of action. Those looking to hook the stripers on topwaters have had good luck early in the morning and late in the afternoon, but those tossing the D.O.A. PT-7 have done well throughout the day.
The speckled trout bite has started to heat up. Most fish are on the smaller side, but good numbers of fish are being landed. The D.O.A. Deadly Combo and D.O.A. CAL minnows rigged on light jig heads have been the best ways to hook a few specs.
Gaston King, of Elm City, NC, with a citation drum caught using a Blabber Mouth popping cork paired with a 6” Z-Man SwimmerZ while fishing near Oriental.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that lots of bait are staged in the Neuse River from the mouth all the way up to New Bern.
The old drum bite remains strong, and they’ve been most willing to take a popping cork rig with Z-Man plastics.
Slot-sized redfish, speckled trout, and striper have all been feeding well along the shorelines. A mix of Z-Man plastics and Heddon and Bomber topwater lures has gotten the job done. Focusing near bait pods has been the key to success.
Grey, of Hyde Guides, reports that big red drum fishing remains solid in the Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound. Fresh cut mullet has been the best bait for these trophy fish, and anglers targeting ledges and shoals have had the most success.
The flounder bite has picked up, with many fish in the 20-24” range being landed. Soft plastics worked off the bottom (as well as dragging live minnows) have been the key to catching good numbers of fish.
The speckled trout bite has slacked off some, but anglers covering lots of water have found a few fish. Soft plastics on jig heads worked around structure and points has produced the most fish. A few puppy drum have also been mixed in with the specs.
