Pamlico/Neuse River – August 2026
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers have been finding red drum of all sizes throughout the river. If the area can avoid any major changes in weather, the bull drum bite should get going as soon as we move into August.
It has already been a great year for tarpon, and anglers will likely will see them scattered around through August.
Some good-sized bluefish have shown back up after slowing a bit in early summer.
Spanish mackerel are being found up to the ferry line in the river.
Anglers targeting speckled trout are finding most of the action coming from around the mouth of the river.
Todd, of Carolina Bay Outfitters, reports that anglers have been finding some old drum. Most of the action is coming from fishing fresh cut baits in the late afternoon (mostly been between 4:00 p.m. and midnight). Then the bite picks back up again right before sunrise and shuts down by 10:00 am. The best tactic has been targeting shallow areas (6’ or less) with deep water nearby.
Anglers fishing along the banks with artificials (topwater plugs and soft plastics under popping corks) are catching slot red drum and the occasional speckled trout.
Spanish mackerel are popping up occasionally, though this bite thinned out after all the rain.
Flounder are along almost every bank, and they’re hitting both soft plastics and live baits dragged on the bottom.
Anglers targeting structure are finding sheepshead and black drum while fishing with fresh shrimp or live fiddler crabs.
Brian Bordeaux, of Havelock, landed this 43″ red drum in the Neuse River using cut mullet.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that the slot red drum bite only continues to pick up. On some days artificials (soft plastics or topwaters) are getting bites, and then the next day it seems to take some version of a natural bait (live or cut) to buy a bite.
More bull drum are mixed in the action, and August is typically when the bulls really ramp up.
Anglers targeting the shoreline are finding the occasional striped bass (or red drum) mixed in, especially in those areas of heavy structure.
A few black drum can be picked up when targeting bridges or deeper bottom structure with a bottom-rigged shrimp.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that anglers continue to find a good striped bass bite on topwater chuggers or eel-imitations in the morning, especially around heavy structure such as docks.
Slot-sized red drum are scattered. The key is to not be fishing stagnant water—find some water movement from current or wind before tossing out your cut baits—and target areas in the 3’ and deeper range.
The old drum bite is still scattered, but the nighttime bite is starting to pick up.
A few speckled trout can be found when targeting points in the mornings or evenings.
Black drum can be pulled in from around oyster structure or ARs if you are rigged up with live fiddler crabs.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers have loved the opportunity to chase tarpon that are in the river system, with a variety of big swim baits, soft plastics under popping corks, and bait fishing all having times of success.
A few bull drum are mixed in the action, mostly from those fishing popping cork setups.
Slot red drum are around in good numbers up and down the river, especially for anglers working the shorelines and focusing on areas with bait.
Around New Bern, some striped bass can be found while working the shoreline banks using the same tactics for red drum.
Josh, of Pamlico Point Guide Service, reports that the slot red drum and bull reds are pushing into the river in better numbers. The slot drum are mostly hitting artificials, with topwater plugs, spoons, and popping cork setups all having times of success. Cut bait is the way to go when targeting the bull reds.
While fishing in the main river, anglers are catching some speckled trout (to 25”).
Zach Thomas, of Jacksonville, with a 26.5” speckled trout caught in the New River on a swim bait. He was fishing with Capt. Brad Smith of Gunny B Outdoors.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that cut baits (mullet or croakers) are the key to action for slot red drum.
A few old drum are around for anglers fishing drop-offs around shoals in the evening with fresh cut mullet.
The speckled trout continue to be quiet.
Flounder are everywhere. Anglers are finding flatfish action while casting a variety of soft plastics on jig heads or by dragging live baits on the bottom against grass lines and points.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that anglers have been catching a mix of slot red drum and striped bass throughout the Pungo River area. Artificials have been the way to go, allowing anglers to scout through spots quickly.
Early in the morning, topwater knockers are a top producer, and once the sun gets up higher, the baits need to be a little deeper in the water column. Popping cork setups with shrimp imitations or soft plastics will get that done.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that some bull drum are starting to show up around the mouth of the river.
Speckled trout fishing has been okay, with most action out around the mouth of the river and into the sound. The trout are around structure that’s a little deeper (4-6’ range), and most are being caught on live bait such as baby croakers.
Anglers are finding some scattered striped bass as bycatch while targeting the trout.
Flounder are everywhere, especially on the banks near docks and points.
Anglers working these banks are also finding some slot red drum, but the drum bite is spotty.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that slot red drum (18-23”) are scattered around flats in the sound. Most of the success is coming from live baits rigged on jig heads as this allows for fishing areas quicker. However, soft plastics are producing almost half of the strikes.
The occasional speckled trout is mixed in while using these same tactics.
Flounder fishing has been insanely good for anglers casting baits up against the grass banks.
Black drum fishing is strong for anglers bottom fishing with crabs on the ARs.
Some citation-class red drum are showing for anglers in the late afternoons and evenings while fishing cut baits.
