Zooker You are right on Falls of the Neuse. Are you fishing the main river channel or in the coves and back areas. I have tried everything except lipless cranks. Don't know why I haven't. I would think this time of year the fish will follow the shad to the back creeks. People I have talked to drag carolina rigs in the main river channel. Haven't caught a fish that way. Most of the fish I have caught are on laydowns with a senko.