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Pamlico Sound
North Carolina Fishing
May 25, 2023 18:11:54   #
Scooter28451 Loc: Pamlico sound, NC
 
Just made it to the Kill Devil Hills area for a couple weeks. Rented a house on a canal with access to the Pamlico sound area. Not sure to fish for fresh or salt water fish. The water is mainly fresh water with a touch of saltiness. Tried shrimp and nothing. Tried top, middle and bottom fishing with artificial baits for a few days and only a white bass to show for it. I am actually looking for redfish. Any suggestions?

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May 25, 2023 19:59:37   #
plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland
 
Scooter28451 wrote:
Just made it to the Kill Devil Hills area for a couple weeks. Rented a house on a canal with access to the Pamlico sound area. Not sure to fish for fresh or salt water fish. The water is mainly fresh water with a touch of saltiness. Tried shrimp and nothing. Tried top, middle and bottom fishing with artificial baits for a few days and only a white bass to show for it. I am actually looking for redfish. Any suggestions?


If shrimp isn't working can't tell you what else to use. My go to was the Z man Diesel baits with Pro Cure shrimp scent when I lived near Belhaven which is the opposite side of the sound from where you are.

Early morning was always good for top water hits and catches from just before sun rise until the sun hit the water.

Are you fishing the sound or the ocean? Might want to look into a guide service and take in some tips from them.

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May 25, 2023 20:47:34   #
Scooter28451 Loc: Pamlico sound, NC
 
The wind has been blowing quite a bit making the sound fairly rough. Have not ventured out of the canal system yet that the rented house sits in. Thinking of going the 20 miles, to the nearest inlet, south of me and putting in. May also try some surf fishing for the drum. Thanks.

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May 25, 2023 21:04:50   #
plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland
 
Scooter28451 wrote:
The wind has been blowing quite a bit making the sound fairly rough. Have not ventured out of the canal system yet that the rented house sits in. Thinking of going the 20 miles, to the nearest inlet, south of me and putting in. May also try some surf fishing for the drum. Thanks.


Are you fishing around the docks? Trout and Drum like structure to hang out in. Also if you fish just off the points of land was always a good place to catch.

You mention putting in. What do you have?

Be careful about flounder keeping. I hear NC tighten the rules up on them.

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May 25, 2023 21:13:11   #
Scooter28451 Loc: Pamlico sound, NC
 
Yes, in the canal system all there is are docks.

I have a Pro Team 190 TX.

Currently flounders are off limits and illegal to possess.

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May 25, 2023 21:27:37   #
plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland
 
Scooter28451 wrote:
Yes, in the canal system all there is are docks.

I have a Pro Team 190 TX.

Currently flounders are off limits and illegal to possess.


I just googled it. Awesome craft and so Ideal for the sound when the winds will let you.

I always preferred the very 1st dock in regards to an inlet or a bunch in a row when there were plenty of docks to choose from. For some reason it seemed like it was the buffet for fish catches.

Can't say I know your area other than my favorite eating location was Dirty Dicks Crab House. The waters I knew nothing about we were just 2 hours east of you and it was a go to for lunch now and than.

But check out some land points and don't give up on shrimp. Before i got into the Zman and shrimp scent, frozen shrimp was the best thing to use.

Thanks for the flounder up date. I am hoping to get down there this fall and fish with Gordon and Trotfrd1.

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May 26, 2023 05:47:29   #
troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC
 
To add what Plumbob said Try the green fishbite shrimp scent. Lately in NC they would hit that when nothing else would work. Also on the reds try a spot head. It may sound crazy but try spraying some WD-40 on your bait. It has proven to work for me. Post pics of your catch

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May 26, 2023 22:07:33   #
BeachDrummer Loc: Eastern NC
 
Scooter28451 wrote:
Just made it to the Kill Devil Hills area for a couple weeks. Rented a house on a canal with access to the Pamlico sound area. Not sure to fish for fresh or salt water fish. The water is mainly fresh water with a touch of saltiness. Tried shrimp and nothing. Tried top, middle and bottom fishing with artificial baits for a few days and only a white bass to show for it. I am actually looking for redfish. Any suggestions?


I’ve fished at the OBX now for 35 years. Go to tackle shops: Oceans East (near the Causeway Bridge) and TW’s Bait and Tackle. OE especially helpful with local information. On the sound side, red drum can be found in the creeks (watch your depths!). Look for the reds “tailing” or chasing bait schools. Live shrimp on a jig head work great if you have a live bait well or fresh shrimp under a popping cork. Around docks works well too. Target sheepshead around docks and bridge pilings (great eating, especially on the grill).

Surf fishing, I generally use a 2 drop high/low rig with salted or fresh shrimp with size 1 or 1/0 circle hooks. I have caught mullet, red and black drum, pompano, sheepshead, spots, speckled trout, gray trout, bluefish, stripers and even sharks on this setup on the beach. If I catch a mullet, I will cut the head off and put it on a Carolina rig with a bit larger hook (3/0)to try for a larger red or black drum. Look for holes or openings in the sandbars that serve as pathways to funnel fish traffic. Don’t worry about casting wayyyy out. I have caught some of my largest fish in very shallow water. Just beyond the breaking waves is usually a sweet spot. Get some Crab Fishbites (artificial bait). It works really well, especially when skates are around as they won’t generally go for artificial baits.

Be careful with your boat and the inlets. Those currents are REALLY strong and aren’t to be played around with.

I’m going down with my family the week of June11 and I can’t wait. I’ve got a half day inshore charter out of Wanchese booked for midweek and plan on being on the beach wetting a line every chance I get.

Have fun. You are truly in a fishing paradise.

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May 31, 2023 22:01:22   #
BeachDrummer Loc: Eastern NC
 
Scooter28451 wrote:
Just made it to the Kill Devil Hills area for a couple weeks. Rented a house on a canal with access to the Pamlico sound area. Not sure to fish for fresh or salt water fish. The water is mainly fresh water with a touch of saltiness. Tried shrimp and nothing. Tried top, middle and bottom fishing with artificial baits for a few days and only a white bass to show for it. I am actually looking for redfish. Any suggestions?

Sorry you’ve had such bad weather since you’ve been out there. Have you had a chance to wet a line? Let us know how things are going.

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