With the lower Neuse River basically void of much fish-attracting structure, the Neuse River Oyster Reef is an oasis in a relative desert.
Located just off the western point at the entrance to Turnigan Bay, the reef is part of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ oyster shell recycling program,
Ray Massengill of Down East Guide Service loves the “man-made” fish attractor.
“It’s a good thing in several ways,” Massengill said. “There are big mounds that went from bare rock to being covered in oysters really quickly. Those oysters are growing where they couldn’t before and are attracting a lot of fish. It gives baitfish shelter and they attract bigger fish.
“We catch pups, specks, gray trout, flounder, black drum, sheepshead and more off the oyster reef,” Massengill said. “I haven’t caught an old drum there yet, but I probably will before too long. It sure is attracting everything else. The oysters filter the water too and that is a good thing.
“I really like the oyster reef and am happy that DMF is building more around the sound.”
Be the first to comment