Fishing News

Not much to report this week from the Roanoke River. Bank anglers fishing around the boat ramp at Weldon continue to catch good numbers of hickory shad this week, although the striped bass have yet to make an appearance.

Bobby Colston, owner of Colston's Tackle Box on Highway 48 south of Gaston, said he’s talked to a lot of people who’ve been fishing this week and by all accounts the bite is still really good. Lures that seem to be working especially well this week include silver and gold spoons, pink and white jigs and chartreuse jigs. Fly-fishermen bought up all his pink flies, Colston said, so that must mean they’re a good color choice this week.

Boating anglers have been the most successful fishing just down from where the boat docks stop to the big rock.

Ricky Mobley, owner of the Roanoke Sportsman in Williamston, said the lower river didn’t see much action this week – it was windy and that kept a lot of anglers away from the water. Those who did venture out were catching a few stripers here and there on Storm 5” wild-eye swim shads and broken back Bomber baby stripers.

Striped Bass Season and Regulation Information

The entire Roanoke River Management Area is open to striped bass harvest from March 1 through April 30.

The Roanoke River Management Area includes the Roanoke River and tributaries from Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers.

The daily creel limit within the Roanoke River Management Area is two striped bass per person. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22 and 27 inches may be possessed at any time. Only one striped bass larger than 27 inches can be included in the daily creel limit.

The Commission also encourages striped bass anglers to use small, non-offset circle hooks, preferably ones with the least amount of distance between the hook point and shank.

Studies show that striped bass caught on small, barbless circle hooks are usually hooked in the jaw, which means they have a much greater chance of survival after being released than fish hooked in the throat or gut.