Following passage of Hurricane Irene, “old” red drum fishing has been spectacular at the lower Neuse River and should get better during the next three weeks.
“I fished Tuesday after the storm, and we caught 14 adult drum and have been getting double-digit numbers on most half-day trips,” said veteran Oriental guide Gary Dubiel (Spec Fever Guide Service, 252-249-1520, http://www.specfever.com/).
Dubiel said “old” (large adult) red drum are heading into their peak spawning period at the lower part of the Neuse River and western Pamlico Sound. Caught fish have ranged from 25 to 60 pounds.
“We’re having new fish move up the river, and the major spawn should start at the peak of the next full moon (Sept. 12),” he said. “It’ll last for 2 1/2 weeks after that.”
Dubiel fishes for old drum using the same rigs he employs for tarpon fishing — 100-pound-test fluoro leaders, 100-pound-best mono backing and Owen Lupton rigs with circle hooks baited with chunks of mullet. The technique is to find a travel route (that’s why a guide is important) and throw out four baits and soak them on the bottom. Sometimes Dubiel creates a chum slick to attract drum.
“We’re also seeing some specks (spotted seatrout), flounder and puppy drum, mostly along the shoreline of the river,” he said. “Not too many fish are in the creeks yet.”
Smaller Carolina rigs with smaller (20-pound-test) line and leaders with circle hooks will catch puppies, while flounder and specks will go for live menhaden or mullet on C-rigs.
Some anglers prefer soft plastics, such as Gulp Shrimp and Minnows threaded onto a 3/8 – to 1/2-ounce lead-head jig.
“About 50 percent of the flounder are keepers (15 inches) while the trout are smaller in schools but individual fish are running 2 to 2 1/2 pounds,” Dubiel said.
“They’re still in a summer pattern along the river shoreline.”
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