5.0(2 Reviews)Afternoon Bull Drum Fishing on North Carolina's Neuse River
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target legendary "Old Drum" redfish in worldrecord watersFish afternoon to sunset using popping corks and cut baitCaptain Dave brings 40 years local Neuse River expertise
When Captain Dave Hegel talks about his home waters, you can hear the passion in his voice. He's been working the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound since 1984, and these waters have produced 18 of 24 IGFA World Records for redfish. That's not a coincidence – this stretch of North Carolina coast is where monster bull reds come to spawn every summer and fall. From July through late October, these legendary fish push in from the Atlantic, and Dave knows exactly where to find them during those productive afternoon hours when they start moving toward the shoals to feed.
Your afternoon starts at 3:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to target these world-class fish as they begin their evening feeding ritual. Dave's approach is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish are telling him. Some days you'll be chasing bait balls with popping corks, watching the surface explode as reds crash through schools of menhaden. Other times, you'll be soaking cut bait along the shoal edges where these big fish cruise looking for an easy meal. The beauty of this trip is the variety – Dave switches tactics based on conditions, tides, and fish behavior. You'll fish until sunset, which gives you those magic twilight hours when bull reds really turn on. The light gets softer, the water calms, and suddenly you're connected to a fish that's been swimming these waters longer than you've been alive.
Dave runs a well-equipped boat stocked with heavy tackle designed for these bruiser fish. We're talking about reds that can push 40, 50, even 60 pounds, so light gear just won't cut it. You'll be throwing artificial lures when the fish are active on top – big spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs that drive bull reds crazy. When they're holding deeper or being finicky, cut bait is the ticket. Fresh mullet, menhaden, or blue crab chunks soaked on circle hooks along structure and drop-offs. Dave knows every shoal, every channel edge, every piece of structure where these fish stage up. His local knowledge is what separates this trip from just going out and hoping for the best. He reads water temperature, current, wind, and bait activity to put you on fish consistently.
"I'm 41 and I caught the biggest redfish I have ever seen in my life! Captain Dave is a great guide and an even better person. So much fun. Thank you again! Justin, Bryce, and Clark" - TIMOTHY
"Today was my third fishing trip with Dave and it didn't disappoint. We had several big drum hookups on artificial and also caught some monster blues. It was an exciting morning with blowups all around the boat. I've got another trip booked with Dave next month and can't wait." - Thomas
Bull redfish are something special, and the ones that call the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound home are absolute giants. These aren't your typical slot reds you might catch in the shallows – we're talking about mature fish that have been roaming these waters for decades. The spawning run brings fish from 30 to 60+ pounds into the system, and they're aggressive, hungry, and absolutely explosive when hooked. What makes catching them so addictive is their raw power. A big bull red will strip line like a freight train, make runs that seem impossible, and fight you all the way to the boat. They're smart fish too, using their knowledge of the bottom structure to try and break you off. The afternoon bite can be phenomenal because these fish move shallow to feed as the sun gets lower. You'll see them crashing bait on the surface, their copper-bronze backs breaking water as they demolish schools of baitfish. Peak season runs from late summer through October, with September often being the absolute best month for numbers and size.
Captain Dave's afternoon trips fill up fast during peak season, and for good reason. You're getting a top-rated guide with four decades of local knowledge, fishing some of the most productive redfish waters in the world, during prime feeding hours. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to tangle with legendary Neuse River bulls that have made this area famous among serious anglers. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your personal best or someone who wants to experience what world-class redfish action feels like, this afternoon trip delivers. Dave limits his boat to just three anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight these powerful fish. Don't wait until the season's winding down to book – the best dates go early, and you don't want to miss your shot at these incredible fish.
Captain Dave's 2025 Parker Offshore 2300SE is built for serious redfish hunting on the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. This 23-footer handles the shallow waters and shoal edges where those legendary "Old Drum" cruise perfectly. With GPS to mark productive spots and a multimedia system for downtime between bites, you'll stay comfortable during those afternoon-to-sunset runs. The onboard head means no cutting trips short, and there's plenty of deck space for three anglers to work cut bait or chase those explosive topwater strikes around bait balls. Dave's been running these waters since '84, and this Parker gives him the range to hit both the river's productive holes and Sound's vast flats where world-record reds come to spawn each fall.
5.0 out of 5.0I'm 41 and I caught the biggest redfish I have ever seen in my life! Captain Dave is a great guide and an even better person. So m...
Had a blast! singing, catching and telling jokes! great crew! see you guys next year! Capt Dave...
Today was my third fishing trip with Dave and it didn’t disappoint. We had several big drum hookups on artificial and also caught ...
Thomas Cozart, Thank you! Love fishing with you!Looking forward to our next trip. Next trip one of u...
North Carolina