Pamlico/Neuse River – March 2026
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers are catching a mix of speckled trout and red drum in the backs of the deeper creeks off the Neuse. As water temperatures finally start to creep up in the coming weeks, both species will get more active as they work toward the mouths of the creeks.
Striped bass fishing has been decent in the main river, with anglers mostly targeting the structure around New Bern. Others are already heading upriver or into the Trent.
The shad fishery is another staple for anglers in the area. Both hickory and American shad will be concentrating in the narrow upriver areas with good current. Anglers should break out their ultra‑light tackle and grab some spoon grubs or darts to get in on this spawning bite.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that March is when the speckled trout that survived the winter will start pushing back out toward the main river. Currently, water temperatures are still way down, so anglers need to remember that this time of year you are never fishing slow enough. Some favorite baits for the pre‑spring action are Lil Jons, Z‑Man Trout Tricks, and soft‑plastic jerk shads. For target areas, look for ledges or holes in the 8‑20’ range, and on sunny or warmer days, slide up and focus casts on the shallower flats (around 3’).
These same baits and areas will also produce scattered striped bass.
The arrival of shad opens up another great early‑season fishery in the area. Shad darts and small jigs on ultra‑light tackle will be the most typical setups for fishing ledges and trees upriver.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that since getting back out on the water following the hard cold snaps of February, anglers are finding the striped bass and speckled trout bite to be in reasonably good shape. A smaller (3‑4”) jerk shad or paddle tail on a lighter (1/8 oz.) jig head has made a great search bait for scouting the area. Color‑wise, white or chartreuse always seems to do well, and if the water is really dirty, a darker bait is the way to go.
Target deeper holes in the creeks and nearby flats with some black mud. As a bonus tip, focus on the deeper creeks that may be holding some bait near the mouth, and fishing on sunny days really ramps up your chances, as the extra warmth can fire up a feeding pattern.
Striped bass will also be holding around structure and ledges around New Bern and well upriver, and they’re hitting the same soft plastic offerings.
By the end of the month, water temperatures in the upper 40s and low 50s should start to bring a few slot‑sized red drum back into the river. Just like with the trout, soft plastics will remain the top option until there’s enough bait around to start throwing the cast net.
Xander Blake, of Washington, landed this trout in the Pamlico River on a soft plastic. He was fishing with Capt. Mitchell Blake of FishIBX.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that striped bass fishing has been a good reason to get on the water. Both the Neuse and Trent rivers in the New Bern area are holding fish, and anglers are targeting them with smaller (3‑4”) paddle‑tail soft plastics around deeper structure. Keep an eye on the shorelines for fish pushing bait, as this gives you the opportunity to throw topwater plugs or jerk baits.
Speckled trout are still being caught in the creeks around New Bern, with the deeper upriver creeks seeming to hold fish that fared better than those in the shallower creeks closer to the sound.
Red drum are sprinkled into the action, though no real push of them is expected just yet.
Anglers this time of year can also break out the ultra‑light tackle and find some shad action upriver.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that even with the hard winter, speckled trout will be the main catch moving through March. Temperatures are trending up, and anglers will do best starting their efforts about mid‑way back in the creeks and then working toward the mouth. The far‑back areas were most affected by the winter fish kills, and the nearly non-existent action shows it.
For our late‑winter fishing, Zoom and other swimbait‑style soft plastics are the way to go, with white, pink, and chartreuse being year‑round successful colors.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that some trout are being caught after the freezes that shut down keeper season, though anglers are generally giving them a break as they remain sluggish. Fishing in the deep holes in the backs of creeks is the best bet for now, as this is likely where there are the most fish that survived the cold. When the area starts to see more sunny days and warm weather patterns, focusing on the nearby shallows around those holes will produce a bit more.
Some striped bass are being caught. A good starting point would be upriver of the ferry line or around Washington, and a focus on freshwater creeks and creek mouths with structure.
Troy Peele, of Eastern NC, with a 25.75” trout caught in the Pungo River on a Rapala Twitchin Rap. He was fishing with Capt. Gaston King of Kingfisher Charters.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that March offers striped bass action in the area as these fish begin to stage up before their spawn run. Right now, anglers are focused on targeting deeper ledges in the river (10‑30’) while throwing larger Z‑Man soft plastics (in the 5‑7” range) on 1/2 oz. jig heads to weed out the smaller bites.
By the end of March, some gray trout will be moving in over the deeper structure.
Josh, of Pamlico Point Guide Service, reports that March efforts will be focused on catch‑and‑release action for bigger speckled trout. With temperatures starting to warm up and sunnier days ahead, these fish will be moving shallow when they feed, which brings some great topwater action. If the winds aren’t cooperating, a lightly weighted jerk shad fished across the 1‑4’ flats will also produce.
Anglers will catch the occasional red drum while deploying these same tactics, though most of the reds are still going to be out in the sound and ocean this early in the year.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that anglers know that with March comes epic shad‑fishing action on the Neuse, Tar, and Pamlico river systems. Their spawning run upriver from the ocean congregates these fish and gets them in a mood to aggressively feed. Spoons and curly‑tail grubs work great, with fly anglers also finding success, and catch numbers pushing 100 fish aren’t uncommon.
Speckled trout anglers will have plenty of opportunities in March as these fish start to move from their winter holdover areas. The warming water will pull them up the water column from their deeper holes.
Striped bass and even some largemouth bass will mix in, overlapping in the same areas we find trout.
