Pamlico – September 1, 2016
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers are finding excellent old drum action in the lower Neuse River from Minnesott Beach down to the sound. Anglers are having success finding hungry fish both in the daytime and at night. Soft plastics under large popping corks are getting the attention of the reds throughout the day, and cut baits (like mullet, menhaden, and croakers) on Carolina rigs with large circle hooks are tempting them at night. Finding schools of bait or actively feeding fish is the key to success for catching these old reds.
For anglers looking to beat the crowds of boats searching for overslot drum, there are still plenty of puppy drum being caught throughout the lower Neuse from New Bern out to the sound. River and marsh banks, particularly those with structure like oyster beds or downed trees, are holding most of the fish.
Soft plastics on jigheads, topwater plugs, gold spoons, and live bait on Carolina rigs have all been effective baits for sight casting to feeding reds, with the topwater plugs working best in the morning and late afternoon. Soft plastics under a popping cork is a surefire way to get the attention of any hungry reds in the area when they cannot be sight casted.
Speckled trout and flounder are mixed in with the reds, although most of them are scattered and small fish. Look for both of these fisheries to improve within the next few weeks as the weather cools and larger fish move into the area. Soft plastics on jigheads fished slowly from grass banks back to the boat will tempt bites from both species.
Jon Moore with two flounder caught on Z-Man MinnowZ while fishing in the lower Broad Creek.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that the old drum bite has been on and off over the last few weeks, with some great days and some slow ones. Anglers should look for large schools of bait to move into the Pamlico and Neuse rivers over the next few days and weeks, and this will signal the start of the best old drum fishing of the year. Fresh mullet, menhaden, and croakers are the bait of choice for anglers looking to chum up a big red, especially at night. Anglers should use large circle hooks for the best chance at hooking and safely releasing these old reds.
Anglers looking to use artificial baits have found the DOA popping cork baited with a DOA Swimmin’ Mullet or Bait Buster has been particularly effective in the early mornings. Anglers are reporting that the bite slows significantly after 11:00 am for both live and artificial baits.
Barbara Moore, of Oriental, with a 46” red drum that fell for cut mullet in the Pamlico Sound. She was fishing with Capt. Adam Jones of Pamlico Sound Fishing Guide.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that the best old drum fishing on the lower Pamlico has been in the afternoon and night when the sun is not beating down on the water. Anywhere from Rose Bay to Swanquarter and out into the sound may be holding large numbers of these overslot reds.
Finding the schools of bait that they are feeding on and using fresh bait is the key to putting a fish in the boat. Fresh mullet, menhaden, croakers, and spot heads have been the baits of choice for most anglers fishing this season. DOA Airhead swim baits beneath large popping corks have also been effective at tempting bites, especially when anglers cannot spot feeding fish.
Anglers are reporting hooking up with large skates and rays, as well as a few sharks, while fishing for the reds.
Puppy drum, trout, and flounder are all being caught on the Pamlico, especially on the banks of Rose Bay and the Pungo River. Live mullet, shrimp, or mud minnows on Carolina rigs have been effective at tempting bites from all three species. Soft plastics fished on jigheads or weedless hooks have also been catching plenty of fish, and they are great for sight casting to reds just below the surface or in shallow water.
