Putting this out there for those of you in the VA, NC, SC areas (TN too, if you are up for the drive).
A buddy and I stayed at Camp Seafarer on the Neuse River a couple years ago in September. The camp is near Arapaho NC and has an enormous amount of waterfront acreage, including a marina and private boat ramp and multiple group housing/lodges. From September through April, the cabins/housing are available to rent for next to nothing, and with that rental you get full use of the marina/boat ramp.
The location is within striking distance of where the bull drum run, and there are multiple small creeks/tributaries for smaller boats. The fishing is - in my opinion - world class . . .if you know where to look. There is a HUGE a amount of water, but the good news is that it isn’t water you have to worry about - no oyster bars, no tides, and the ONLY thing to watch is the wind - it can get nasty with the wrong winds (but even then, there are creeks with ramps you can hide out in).
So, just putting it out there to see if there is interest in a group trip sometime in early September - rent a bunk house, bring a bunch of boats, and fish for a few days. Maybe split a few guides for those unfamiliar with the area.
Some info on the fishing opportunities - I’ve fished with Richard Andrews (TarPam guide service) - he is top notch - he fishes the Pamlico and Neuse, but what you see in one you can get in the other:
Tar/Pam is a great guide service. I use to do his truck/trailer maintenance 25 years ago, so he’s been at it for a minute.
The bull run in Aug/Sept has some massive fish show up. Most of the locals go out at night and chunk/troll mullet but I’m sure, there are others that target em with other methods. The water is big and a lot different than what us FL boys are accustomed to, but it’s a healthy fishery. Also has some world class Speckled Trout swimming around, and occasionally some poon out in the sound in those same months.
@MikeCockman - Richard is a good guy and has a true love for the fishery. I think he did some time as a biologist. He and Mitch Blake (IBX charters) taught me more in a year than I could have learned in a lifetime.
As for the Bulls, we’ve always used the big ole popping cork/air head combos and had good luck, but hoping this year to get one on the fly. Wife and I had a 6’ Tarpon free jump about 5 feet from the boat a few July’s ago - eye level, completely clear of the water - coolest thing I’ve seen up there.
Great idea @MaverickMA, I’ve made some very long day trips to the Neuse from Wilmington, never knew you could rent those cabins in the fall. I have a neighbor with a 22’ center console he’s restoring that would probably be interested as well.
