Pamlico June 16, 2011
Tim Ellis, of NC State's Speckled Trout Taggin Program, with a trout about to recieve a tag-and-release treatment after it fell for a D.O.A. Deadly Combo off a rocky point. He was fishing with Capt. Dave Stewart of Minnesott Beach Bait and Tackle.
Dave, of Minnesott Beach Bait and Tackle, reports that heat, wind, and low water have made for tough fishing over the past week, but anglers willing to work hard are still eking out some decent catches.
Most of the speckled trout have been on the small side lately, but there are a few decent fish around for the opening of the season June 16. Points and other anomalies along the shorelines are producing most of the trout action right now, and D.O.A. Deadly Combos have been tempting them to bite.
Some slot-sized puppy drum, a few flounder, and other species are feeding in the lower rivers towards the sounds. Anglers will have to cover some water to find them, but soft baits like Gulps will tempt the fish to bite when they do.
Striped bass fishing is still solid in the early mornings and late evenings around New Bern. Topwater plugs provide the most exciting fishing.
Some citation-class red drum are already showing up in the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River, and some tarpon have been seen as well. Locals are hoping for an early showing of both of these summertime brutes.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that anglers are still finding some solid flounder action in the Bath area (with some 5 lb. and larger fish in the mix).
Speckled trout are feeding from Bath west to Blount’s Bay and east of Willow Point near Swan Quarter, where plenty of menhaden have pushed in from the sound. Some smaller flounder are mixed in with the specks, and anglers are scoring some double-digit days with both species while casting Gulp and Saltwater Assassin soft plastics.
Redfish are still a little tough to find, but they are working their way into the rivers as the water warms up. The same soft plastics anglers are fishing for flounder and trout will fool the reds.
The Fin Hunter crew released the first billfish in the 14th Annual Kelli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament, a sailfish worth 125 release points, to earn the victory in the kickoff event to the 2011 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. They released their sail exactly one hour into the fishing, beating out two other boats that released sails to take the top spot based on time.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching a few smaller speckled trout and flounder locally, with somewhat better fishing down towards the sound. Gulp baits will tempt bites from both.
Puppy drum have been scarce, but the first few big drum of the summer have already been caught in the Neuse River. Some tarpon have also already been seen in the sound, so both fish are trickling into the area a little early.
Striped bass fishing has been a bit slow, but anglers are catching solid numbers of white perch around Washington on red/white Beetle Spins.
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers are starting to see some decent speckled trout fishing off the lower Neuse River in the creeks and the fish’s usual summertime haunts, just in time for trout season to open up June 16. Anglers are hooking most of the specks on 14 and 17MR MirrOlures, with the shop’s custom colors producing the best action lately.
Flounder fishing has been decent lately down towards Oriental, where anglers are connecting with the flatfish while casting Gulps and small live baits.
A few red drum are mixed in with the specks and flounder.
The striped bass bite is still decent around New Bern. Topwater plugs are the way to go for the stripers early and late in the day, and soft plastic swimbaits will get their attention when the sun’s high.
