Neuse River 2012!!!

**catfishwillee** · 01-31-2012, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by BUDMEISER01

Oh yeah, I know they are there. I had a very hard strike on one of my rods last weekend and the week before the same rod was absolutely slammed, but I did not get hooked up. I also had a monster run, but no hook up then either. This cool weather seems to have them a little finicky, they bump it and move on. Its just a matter of time before one of those big girls makes a mistake and when she does, its on!!!

Fish are very finicky in the winter. Usually smaller hooks, lighter weight, and a longer leader will help this. And if they bump it, dont move it. Give them a minute and sometimes they will commit.

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**BUDMEISER01** · 02-01-2012, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by catfishwillee

Fish are very finicky in the winter. Usually smaller hooks, lighter weight, and a longer leader will help this. And if they bump it, dont move it. Give them a minute and sometimes they will commit.

Thanks Will, I was about to ask for some advice but you beat me to the punch, LOL. I am getting a lot of tap, tap, taps and I just wait but they do not commit, I wonder if that is smaller cats or something else?

**FATFLATTIE** · 02-01-2012, 04:42 PM

Sometimes it's smaller cats and sometimes you'd be surprised what's messing around with your bait. The quick, sharp taps are likely small guys. The slower more deliberate ones are usually better fish, even if the rod tip only moves a little. Seems like the bigger ones(10+) sometimes just inhale it and sit there just slowly bouncing the tip. Dunno why they do that sometimes. I've tried all sorts of things to try and get them to commit to it but I haven't found anything that really helps. Just reeling down on them seems to work best for me but that's not real effective either.

**catmstr** · 02-01-2012, 08:33 PM

smithfeild goldsboro seven springs, kinston , maple cipris, where ever theres a torny

**BUDMEISER01** · 02-02-2012, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by catfishwillee

Fish are very finicky in the winter. Usually smaller hooks, lighter weight, and a longer leader will help this. And if they bump it, dont move it. Give them a minute and sometimes they will commit.

I re-rigged my rods last night and I might give 'em a try tonight, but I will definitely hit the Neuse somewhere Saturday and Sunday. Maybe the next time my rod gets slammed, I will hook up with a pig. Thanks Willie!!!

**cat'n around** · 02-02-2012, 01:44 PM

me and a friend fished way down river lastnight. like i could almost see newbern down river. fished eels in deep water. we were really looking for some stripers, well we ended up loosing one striper and we landed a 22lb blue cat.

**BUDMEISER01** · 02-02-2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by cat'n around

me and a friend fished way down river lastnight. like i could almost see newbern down river. fished eels in deep water. we were really looking for some stripers, well we ended up loosing one striper and we landed a 22lb blue cat.

CONGRATS ON THE BLUE!!!

**bigblaze** · 02-04-2012, 07:42 PM

put in at Maple Cypress and fished a cut just above the ramp..where a small stream flows around an island about a mile up from the ramp...the bite was SLOW...

but it wont be long now...we talked to some anglers at the ramp that faired a little better down at Pitch Kettle...it appears the bite was pretty hot with some big whites being caught down there through last week...unfortunately for us, the front had just came thru and the winds where howling...we will try again at PK in a couple weeks...white grubs were the bait of choice..

good luck out there...

**GGGNAT** · 02-06-2012, 01:19 PM

Man this forum is great. Local guys fishing for local cats! I have lived in Raleigh for about ten years and have never tried the Neuse River. I have fished for Cats in lake Gaston and Falls on our Carolina Skiff and done pretty well at times using Live Bream and Cut baits on Carolina rigs.

My brother and I recently bought some Fishing Kayaks and I am pumped to get out on the river. I have not done much if any river fishing so any advice would be welcome. Probably wait till it warms up a bit before we hit the water but was wondering for some advice on catching big cats around the Raleigh area.

Was planning on doing the Milburnie Dam to Pool road run as soon as possible.