Pamlico – May 26, 2016
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers fishing the lower reaches of the Neuse River are catching both puppy drum and speckled trout. Smith Creek is holding large numbers of fish that are taking an interest in live shrimp and mud minnows under a popping cork when fished near docks and other heavy structure.
Small flounder are mixed in with the specs and reds, but the majority of the fish are being caught further down the Neuse near the South River and Turnagain Bay.
A few small stripers are being caught upriver near New Bern. They are taking an interest in a variety of baits, including topwater poppers and soft plastics such as Vudu Shrimp and Gulp jerk shads. Working shorelines, docks and bridges, and stump beds are producing good numbers of fish, so anglers should stay on the move and vary their techniques in order to maximize their success.
Hank Morton, of Smith Mountain Lake, VA, with a striper he caught while fishing a topwater plug close to a shoreline in New Bern. He was fishing with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin Charters.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that the striped bass action in Weldon is still excellent, with the majority of the fish being taken on live baits. Most days, anglers are able to connect with 80-100 fish on a half-day charter. Anglers are connecting on soft plastics like Zoom Jerk Shad and Z-Man Paddlerz fished on jigheads and weighted hooks.
A few stripers are being caught in the lower Pamlico River as the fish begin to move downriver from Weldon after spawning.
Curtis Pelt and Bobby Mason with flounder that fell for Z-Man jerk shads in the Pamlico River.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that topwater striped bass action has been excellent recently. The majority of the action is in the early morning and late evenings when anglers are reporting savage strikes from the hungry fish returning from their spawning runs. Storm Arashi Top Walker, Rapala Skitter Walk, and Storm Chug Bugs are producing the most bites.
Trout, drum, and flounder are showing up downriver, and even though most fish are too small to keep, there are plenty of fish to be caught and a few large trout are mixed in the schools. All three species can be caught using the same techniques: the DOA Deadly Combo or the DOA shrimp fished without the cork has been particularly effective lately.
Anglers running the beaches are reporting large cobia recently. Sight casting to cruising fish using baits like the Blue Water Candy 2 oz. Grinnin Gus jigs rigged with an 8” rubber curly tail grub should put hungry fish in the boat.
Dr. Said and his son Yusef, of Raleigh, with a speckled trout they caught in the lower Neuse River. The fish was caught on a popping cork with a Vudu shrimp under it. They were fishing with Capt. D. Ashley King of Keep Castin Charters.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that there has been some excellent light tackle action on stripers on the Roanoke River. Fish are falling for a variety of lures including soft plastics on jigheads and live baits under popping corks. Fly anglers are also having success using Deep Water Clouser Minnows.
Anglers who prefer topwater action can still connect with stripers, but they need to change the type of plug they are using based on the amount of bait in the water. On days with large numbers of bait, topwater poppers, like the Creek Chub Knucklehead, will be effective. However, on days when little live bait can be found, walk-the-dog type lures like the Top Pup will be more effective.
Richie, of Eastside Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers running offshore are finding consistent action with spanish mackerel and bluefish while trolling Clarkspoons behind a #1 planer or 2 oz. trolling weight. Anglers are also connecting with cobia while sight casting and soaking live and dead menhaden on bottom rigs.
There are some striped bass feeding near Washington where anglers are connecting with them using Rattlin’ Rogues and soft plastics near heavy structu
