Pamlico/Neuse River – December 2025
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that speckled trout fishing has been the main focus. The trout are showing up everywhere from creeks off the Neuse to the Trent River, as well as around deeper bridge pilings. While a wide variety of lures can be successful, the favorites remain MirrOlures, Paul Browns, and Z‑Man soft plastics. Color patterns vary, but “electric chicken” is always a solid starting point.
Bluefish have been plentiful in the river, though colder water temperatures may push them out soon. Some red drum are around, with good amounts of bait keeping them active.
Striped bass are beginning to show for anglers working topwater plugs or larger soft plastics around structure.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that speckled trout have been the main focus, with anglers finding fish ranging from smaller spikes to quality trout in the 19-27” range while working nearly any of the creek systems off the Neuse. Soft plastics like Pure Flats Slicks are some of the favorite lures, but anglers can find success with a wide variety of baits.
The trout will shift from mid‑creek areas into the very backs of creeks as the season progresses. The deeper holes with nearby flats are always worth attention, and on warmer, sunny days, you’ll see trout push shallow to soak up the warmth. Slowing down retrieves and using super‑light jig heads that fall slowly through the water column has been key to staying on fish.
Striped bass will be caught right alongside trout.
Plenty of bluefish are hanging under birds in the main river where there is bait. The blues are expected to stick around until water temperatures dip below 50 degrees.
Eric Vernelson, of Wilson, with a 24.5″ speckled trout caught on a Pure Flats Slick lure in the Neuse River. He was fishing with Capt. Josh Sutton of Pamlico Point Guide Service.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that speckled trout have been found anywhere from the bridge in New Bern down to South River, with just about any creek midway back holding fish. Soft plastic jerk shads on 1/8 ounce jig heads have been the go‑to in 4-6’ depths. Covering water is key this time of year, since trout shift with even small changes in weather, air temperatures, moon cycles, and winds.
A bunch of bait is still around, and that’s helped keep some good‑sized bluefish and the occasional red drum in the mix.
Striped bass are showing up around bigger structures like docks and stumps.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout, striped bass, and bluefish are being found pushing into holes and settling over ledges in the backs of creeks. With a dominant west wind pattern over the past month, water levels have been low and these fish have been holding a little deeper (in the 6-10’ range).
Artificials, especially soft plastics, have been very successful. Clear water has many anglers leaning toward natural colors, but the real key is simply getting a bait in front of the fish—they’ll strike regardless of color when the bait is presented correctly.
Huge bluefish (in the 8-14 lb. range) are still hanging around, thanks to all the bait that’s still in the area. These big blues can be found feeding on the surface under birds or at creek mouths, with topwater plugs, hard baits, and soft plastics all drawing strikes.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are finding speckled trout from Washington all the way down into the sound. While there’s still some action in the main river, most of the trout have pushed into the creeks.
Lure choices vary a lot, but local favorites are MirrOlures, Z‑Man soft plastics, and Pure Flats Slicks. The soft plastics are most often fished on lightweight jig heads or under popping corks.
Anglers closer to the sound are still finding the occasional slot‑sized red drum, while striped bass are mixed in farther upriver. The striper bite tends to improve once water temperatures drop off more, so most anglers haven’t been spending much time targeting them yet.
Capt. Ricky Kellum, of Speckled Specialist Fishing Charters, caught this speckled trout near Bayboro on a Slick soft plastic.
Gaston, of Kingfisher Charters, reports that the trout are feeding aggressively as they prepare for the colder months, so they’re striking just about anything put in front of them. Slow‑sinking twitch baits and popping corks rigged with Vudu shrimp have been producing both the best numbers and the better sizes.
The key has been targeting trout around points and in small bays in the creeks.
Moving into January, the approach shifts to larger, slow‑falling baits. Working them slowly is usually enough to convince the winter trout to put in the effort to strike.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that water temperatures dropping below 60 degrees have the speckled trout bite fired up. Most of the fish have been in the 18-23” range, with some up to 28” mixed in.
The trout have been staged up from the middle of the creeks to farther back, and anglers should focus on spots with deeper water (6-8’) adjacent to flats near the back. On colder days, the trout hold in those deeper holes, and then they slide up shallower to soak in the sun when conditions warm.
MirrOlures and 3-4” soft plastic jerk or swim baits are drawing the most strikes.
Scattered slot and upper‑slot red drum are mixed in the same creeks.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that speckled trout fishing has been excellent. Cooling water has pushed these fish deeper, and most of the success is coming on soft plastics and MirrOlures rather than topwaters and live bait.
The red drum action is starting to pick up, with anglers hunting them on flats in the sound. It’s been a sight‑casting bite, with spoons and soft plastics drawing strikes.
Striped bass are already scattered throughout the Albemarle Sound, but the bite really heats up as better numbers push in during the pre‑spawn.
