Pamlico August 11, 2011
Michelle Lilly with a citation-class red drum she hooked while sight-casting to a large school of fish in the Neuse River with her boyfriend, Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service. The old drum fell for a white Gulp shrimp on a 1/4 oz. D.O.A. CAL jighead.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that big red drum have shown up in the Neuse River, and anglers have actually had a chance to sight-cast to feeding schools in the past week, hooking them on D.O.A. and Gulp soft plastics.
Setting up around oyster reefs and depth changes and fishing large cut baits on the bottom will also produce action with the big reds.
Puppy drum fishing is picking up as well, and anglers are catching good numbers (of mid-upper slot fish) while working soft plastics along the river shorelines from New Bern down to Oriental.
The striped bass bite is still solid around New Bern, and anglers are catching good numbers in the early morning hours (best action from 6:00-9:00 am) while working topwater plugs around fish busting bait on the surface.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that tarpon are scattered in the Pamlico River. Searching for fish rolling on the surface (easiest when it’s slick calm in the early mornings) increases anglers’ chances of hooking up. Getting as close as possible to the rolling fish with a trolling motor or setting up to intercept the school is the best way to get a bite. Fresh cut baits like mullet, menhaden, spot, and croaker combined with plenty of chum are the most effective methods.
Large red drum are very scattered in the eastern part of the Pamlico River, with better reports coming from out in the sound right now. The same baits that anglers use for tarpon will tempt bites from the “old” drum.
A few puppy drum are feeding along the shorelines of the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers, but they’re far more scattered than usual for this time of year.
Flounder fishing has been solid in some parts of the river recently. Flats along the main river banks and creekmouths have been producing the most action. Schools of small menhaden or finger mullet will give away the best areas, and anglers can either fish live baits or soft plastics like Gulps with success.
Donald, of Custom Marine, reports that big red drum and tarpon have moved into the Neuse River. Anglers can hook both on large cut baits fished on the bottom near depth changes and bottom structure. Searching for rolling tarpon will give anglers a clue for the best areas to hook the “silver kings.”
Tom Blevins with a 10 lb. sheepshead that bit a live shrimp on a jighead at the Morehead port wall. Weighed in at Chasin' Tails Outdoors.
The big drum bite will only get better over the coming weeks, particularly around the upcoming full moon.
Puppy drum, flounder, and scattered speckled trout are feeding along the river shorelines, and Gulp baits are attracting attention from all three.
Anglers are still catching plenty of striped bass around New Bern. Casting topwater plugs to fish busting bait on the surface or around structure like bridges will tempt bites from the stripers.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are still catching flounder around Bath (with some larger fish showing up). Gulp shrimp and swimming mullet baits are producing most of the action with the flatfish.
Large red drum are feeding out in the sound around Cedar Island, with a few fish moving into the Pungo River. Cut baits fished on the bottom will tempt bites from the big reds.
