Pamlico/Neuse River – May 2026
Donald, of Custom Marine Fabrication, reports that anglers are finding slot-sized red drum as these fish push into the area. The bite has covered just about the whole Neuse, from the sound right up to New Bern. Bait options have varied from soft plastics on jig heads or under popping corks to subsurface lures, cut bait, and topwater plugs.
Speckled trout have hit the main river shoreline banks and are moving down the river quickly in their spawning pattern.
Some good-sized bluefish (in the 20-24 inch range) are showing up for anglers to sight cast to or as bycatch while targeting drum.
There is still a pretty good striper bite in the New Bern area. Structured areas have been the best places to throw topwater plugs early, and as the day moves on, anglers should fish deeper with baits such as Rat-L-Traps and chatter baits.
Brad, of Gunny B Outdoors, reports that speckled trout are still spread out everywhere from the backs of the creeks to the main river. The salinity is great right now, and the fish seem to be comfortable across the entire system. With the water warming up, topwaters and subsurface lures are working well, and if those are not getting hookups, a popping cork setup has been a reliable fallback.
Bluefish are starting to move into the river.
A handful of red drum are on the shoreline flats and ledges. Most have been slot fish, with the largest going 32-inches.
Some striped bass are around ledges and structure.
Ralph McWhorter, of West Virginia, landed this red drum in the Pamlico Sound on a soft plastic jerk bait.
Dave, of Pamlico Pirate Charters, reports that the speckled trout have mostly moved into their spring spawning pattern and are working their way down the main river shorelines toward the sound.
Some slot red drum are beginning to move into the river, and these fish only get more active as bait schools continue to arrive. For now, fishing with cut bait gives anglers the best opportunity.
Some bigger bluefish (in the 10‑12 lb. range) are moving into the river. For them, topwater plugs remain a favorite.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that with the river flooded with salty ocean water, the slot-sized red drum have been moving in. Anglers are having success targeting them on flats and points along the main river shorelines.
These fish moving in are ready for action, and artificials are getting plenty of strikes. Soft plastics rigged weedless, on jig heads, or under popping corks have been the best options. Color or scent does not seem to matter much at the moment, as the fish want action through the water.
A bunch of bluefish (in the 2‑6 lb. range) are moving in.
Speckled trout are mixed in, though the bite has been scattered with these fish in their early spawning patterns.
Up around New Bern, there is still some good striped bass action.
Josh, of Pamlico Point Guide Service, reports that red drum have started moving into the river. The best action has been anywhere from the ferry line up to New Bern, and most of the success has come from fishing stump fields and structure near shoreline flats. Spoons have been working great for the drum, with topwater plugs and Z‑Man PaddlerZ or Z‑Man Prawn StarZ also producing. There will be reds downriver as well, though this bite has been a bit more scattered.
Bluefish are starting to show up in the river.
Speckled trout are mixed into the artificial bite, with creek mouths holding the most fish.
Walt Neal, of Ocean Isle Beach, caught this 48″ red drum on cut mullet near Swan Quarter on cut mullet.
Kent, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers putting in the effort are picking away at some speckled trout. The trout are pulling out of the creeks and heading down toward the sound. The bite has been scattered because of this movement, but anglers fishing a variety of artificials, from soft plastics under corks or on jig heads to topwater plugs, are finding some action along the banks.
Some red drum are moving into the lower end of the river and into the sound. As more bait shows up, these reds will become more consistent targets.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that the red drum have started showing up throughout the entire Pamlico River area and its adjacent bodies of water. Some big trophy-sized reds are already in the mix. Cut baits such as mullet and blue crab have been producing well, and anglers are also finding success with artificials like spoons and topwater plugs.
The target areas vary, but most efforts are based on wind direction, focusing on banks where the water is being pushed in.
Hugh, of Pungo Charters, reports that the speckled trout are making their spring move down the river and into the sound to spawn. As they push through these larger bodies of water, anglers will do best targeting the shallower shoreline areas with topwater plugs such as Mansfield Knockers and a wide variety of soft plastics.
Zach, of UFO Fishing Charters, reports that the speckled trout are starting to move around. The trout are no longer in the backs of the creeks, but plenty are still in the creeks and holding in the same shallow areas where they spent the winter. Topwaters, popping corks, and soft plastic jerk baits or swimbaits are all producing. Targeting flats around points or ones that have the wind blowing into them has been a good approach.
Bluefish are starting to show up around the mouths of the Pamlico and Pungo rivers, and anglers are finding some red drum in the same areas.
Grey, of Hyde Guide, reports that anglers are already seeing over-slot red drum around, including some in the 36-50 inch range. These fish can be found when fishing shoreline grass points and the deep drop-offs coming off the flats. Fresh cut mullet has been the best bet overall.
Some big bluefish are mixed in and hitting artificials throughout the area.
Gray trout are hanging on just about any offshore structure, including rocks, wrecks, and poles. A Gulp soft plastic on a half-ounce jig head dragged along the bottom has been the go to, though a piece of shrimp will get them going if nothing else will.
A few black drum are mixed in on structure, especially when fishing shrimp.
Speckled trout have been scarce.
