Monday, September 26, 2016

Double digits and dates still available

Puppy drum fishing has improved, also trout are starting to bite and there are as many stripers around as I've ever seen on the lower Neuse, perhaps because of a lot of  the water coming down from New Bern.   Something else is going on also, apparently an amazing spawn in 2014 on the Roanoke River/Albemarle Sound.   To the north of us on the Albemarle Sound these 10-16 inch stripers are abundant in biblical numbers and they are overflowing their range into the Pamlico River through the ICW and across the Pamlico Sound from the eastern Albemarle.    In 20 years of guiding I have caught more striped bass in the lower Neuse than all previous years combined.   Coupled with an equally epic 2015 spawn of red drum, every stop is covered up with 14-17 inch puppy drum who just had their first birthday and by next year, they will be in the slot. 

Oh, the big drum, yeah, Greg had a double digit day yesterday and the 6 that we caught came within an hour, so yes, they are still around and biting a lot better now that we're away from that full moon.   As long as the water temps stay in the 70's, there should be a great opportunity for catching a giant through the next couple of weeks.    Greg, Jennings and Ray have openings on the lower Neuse and Joe and Mitchell will be running more on the upper end.

Also a reminder that striper season opens Oct. 1.......I think.