Pamlico/Neuse River – July 2026
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers are catching red drum of all sizes while working the flats and structure on the main river shorelines. Some big drum are around but aren’t something you can target.
Tarpon are starting to move into the river.
Scattered speckled trout are around, with most down around the mouth of the Neuse.
Schools of bluefish are plentiful from the sound up into and even above New Bern.
Anglers looking to target sheepshead or black drum will have the best chance focusing down river and around deeper structure.
Tom, of Carolina Bay Outfitters, reports that some scattered big red drum are being caught with both cut baits and artificials.
Slot-sized red drum are holding shallow, with a variety of artificials as the best tactic for working the shorelines in search of small groups of fish. Popping cork setups with D.O.A. soft plastics, topwater plugs, and even buzz bait lures are all having their times of success.
Some sheepshead have moved in. Look for these fish to be staged up around hard structure, with deeper water (10’+) being a bonus.
Black drum are moving in as well, and they can be found around the same structured areas.
Anglers looking to switch gears can also find plenty of bluefish (3 lb. range) throughout the river, and some schools of spanish mackerel are also showing up.
Andy Bates, of Beaufort, landed this bluefish on a topwater in the lower Neuse River. He was fishing with Capt. Gary. Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that for red drum fishing, expect to move around and work spot after spot. Artificials, such as spoons or popping corks, are great for working an area quickly, but cut baits are producing most of the fish. Stick to the main river shorelines and target points and structure (such as stumps).
Anglers have been catching the occasional speckled trout, but there haven’t been concentrations of fish in any one spot.
Bluefish are scattered all over, including way up past the train trestles.
Striped bass are being found around structure from the ferry lines up past the train trestles.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that the striped bass remain a good option for anglers fishing between Oriental and New Bern. Just about any heavy structure on the main river is a good place to start.
Slot-sized red drum are on the main river shorelines, and points or wind-blown grass banks with nearby structure have been best. Cut menhaden or mullet on smaller Lupton rigs are the best producing setups.
A mix of bluefish and some speckled trout are coming from the same natural bait offerings.
Flounder are scattered all over the river banks.
Anglers have been finding a few tarpon as they move up into the river.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that speckled trout action has been best with topwater plugs in the morning, then switching over to soft plastics on jig heads or under popping corks. Look for areas that have a little depth variation up near the bank, being sure to fish areas not too shallow.
Slot-sized red drum are being caught with the same tactics in the same locations.
Up around structure near New Bern, striped bass (18-24”) are hitting topwater plugs in the mornings.
A bunch of bluefish are up around New Bern as well.
Some tarpon are moving into the river. When seeing them occasionally rolling on the surface, anglers should target nearby ledges or drop-offs, especially those holding bait. Larger soft plastics, stick baits, and larger plastics under larger popping corks are some of the lures to use.
Watson Leake, of Raleigh, reeled in this red drum near Hyde County on cut mullet. He was fishing with Capt. Grey Davis of Hyde Guides LLC.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that slot-sized red drum action is picking up but still scattered. Anglers are having the best success fishing smaller Lupton rigs with cut bait. If throwing artificials, soft plastics under popping corks and topwater plugs (mainly fished early or late in the day) are good options for bouncing around and working through spots to find a bite.
Speckled trout are around, though the fishing is a bit sporadic. Soft plastics (such as Zoom flukes) are a good choice for getting strikes from under popping corks, or you can fish jerk shads on jig heads.
Some sheepshead and black drum being caught around structure closer to the sound.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that slot-sized red drum and striped bass are feeding near each other on certain spots throughout the river. In the morning, break out the topwater plugs, with Heddon Spook Jrs. and Mansfield Knockers two of the favorites. After about 9:00 am, the topwater bite is done and switching over to soft plastics will be the way to get bites.
Some speckled trout are mixed in, but not many.
Anglers can also target all the 2-4 lb. bluefish they want.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that out in the river, slot red drum are scattered around on shoreline flats. Look for flats that also have grass points, stumps, or docks, as they help congregate bait.
Some speckled trout are occasionally being caught in the river.
Anglers fishing structure in the sound have been catching some gray trout (15-20” range), a few speckled trout, and scattered black drum. For the trout, it’s all about bouncing 1/2 oz. metal jigs, and black drum prefer the natural baits (such as shrimp).
The shoreline of the sound is stacked up with flounder (15-20” range), with the occasional big bull drum cruising around. For the flatfish, look for grass banks with 2-4’ depths.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that anglers have been catching a few big drum, with both cut mullet and soft plastics under popping corks getting strikes.
A few speckled trout have been landed using both popping corks and topwaters.
Anglers fishing wrecks, ledges, and rocks can find black drum (mostly upper-slot) and sheepshead with crabs or shrimp. Look for the deeper structures (8-14’+) to hold more fish.
Some tarpon are around.
