Pamlico/Neuse River – November 2025
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that speckled trout fishing has kicked off from the sound all the way up to New Bern. Anglers are using classic fall lures like Heddon Spook topwaters, MirrOlures, Soft Dines, and Vudu or Z-Man shrimp rigged under popping corks.
Some slot-sized red drum are mixed in, but after months of targeting reds, most of the attention has shifted to trout.
Rapidly cooling water temperatures should help spark the striped bass bite.
In addition, in the coming weeks, expect to hear about successful trips from anglers targeting white perch up the Neuse and Trent rivers.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that the speckled trout bite is kicking off, but finding the right-sized fish has been one of the biggest challenges. Water temperatures are just now entering the prime range, and many of the trout still seem to be moving up from the sound as they begin to stage in creek mouths.
Big bluefish continue to be around for anglers looking for some sight-casting action, and the striped bass bite has remained consistent, with topwater plugs, suspending plugs, and jerk baits producing strikes around structure in the same creek mouths where trout are being targeted.
Most of the slot-sized red drum have started to push back toward the sound. While a few fish will remain mixed in, anglers looking to target reds should focus their efforts farther downriver.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that with that weather shift, the red drum are expected to move down into the sound and eventually out. Cut bait has been producing most of the action for any reds still in the area.
Old drum fishing is mostly wrapped up, but with bait still around, anglers may see the occasional big red hit trout setups.
April Johnson, of Cary, hooked this red drum in Adam’s Creek using cut bait.
Speckled trout are moving back into the creeks, and targeting shorelines and creek mouth points with swimbaits or popping cork rigs has been producing solid results.
Bluefish continue to be everywhere, just as they’ve been all season, and cooler water temperatures are helping to spark the striped bass bite, which could show up in numbers anytime for anglers fishing upriver around heavier structure.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout fishing has been really good as the fall bite settles in. Anglers are seeing a solid mix of mid-slot and big fish hitting just about everything—from topwater plugs and hard baits to soft plastics on jig heads or under popping corks. The trout are scattered as they transition from the main river back into the creeks.
Slot-sized and even the occasional big red drum are still showing up while trout fishing. Up around New Bern, striped bass are also getting in on the action, especially when targeting shoreline structure or ledges. Cooler water temperatures should help fire up the bite even more, with topwater presentations becoming increasingly effective.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that as late fall settles in, anglers are fully focused on speckled trout. These fish are being found just about everywhere as they transition into the creeks where they’ll hold over until spring. It’s no exaggeration—nearly every lure is getting strikes. MirrOlures, topwater plugs, soft plastics (on light jig heads or under popping corks), live baits, and suspending hard lures have all been producing.
Puppy drum are showing up in the mix while trout fishing, and they’re hitting the same variety of lures.
Striped bass are providing solid action for anglers working heavier shoreline structure or ledges.
Gaston, of Kingfisher Charters, reports that anglers are finding some good-sized speckled trout, with plenty of smaller fish mixed in.
As night temperatures begin dipping into the 40s, expect the bigger trout to start making a hard move from the sound to deeper into the creeks. A variety of suspending jerk baits, topwater plugs, and popping corks are all producing well right now, and that bite should only improve heading into December.
EJ Wilkinson, of Clayton, caught (and released) this 44″ red drum near Clubfoot Creek on a chunk of mullet.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout action has been heating up. Fish are being found in both the main river and in creeks as they transition toward their wintering grounds, with the bigger trout showing up deeper in the creeks.
Productive areas are widespread, but to narrow things down: on overcast and cooler days, focus on shallower banks and ledges in the 2-5’ range. Topwater plugs are working well, along with 3-5” paddle tails under popping corks or rigged on 1/8 oz. jig heads. On clear, sunny days, the bite tends to push deeper (4-6’), where jerk baits and suspending lures are top producers.
Flounder are mostly done for the season, though a few doormats are still being caught on soft plastics worked along the bottom.
Smaller red drum are also in the mix, and they’re hitting the same baits used for trout.
A strong presence of menhaden and mullet in the creeks is a great sign for how good the fishing could be in November.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that speckled trout fishing has been unreal, with 50-70 fish days not uncommon when targeting flats and shoreline points with topwater plugs and popping cork setups. As water temperatures continue to cool, the trout will only get more active while transitioning toward their wintering areas.
Bull red drum are still around, though most hookups have been incidental while trout fishing. Slot-sized reds have been tough to pattern lately, with strong northeast winds pushing high-water conditions that make locating fish difficult. Low water conditions have produced better results, and with the weather stabilizing, the bite should continue to improve.
With a favorable forecast, trips to deeper structure in the 20’ range will be targeting gray trout, which should be showing up in good numbers.
