Fishing Report for April 9, 2009
“Striped bass are starting to show up on the spawning grounds.”
Those words, from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Jeremy McCargo, are music to the ears of many striped bass anglers who have been waiting for the striped bass to arrive in the upper Roanoke River.
“Limits of stripers were rare this weekend, but most anglers fishing at Weldon on Saturday and Sunday were able to catch a few keepers,” McCargo continued.
However, as the water temperatures continue to rise, more and more stripers will show up and fishing should improve. With the air temperatures warming considerably over the next few days, this weekend should see some good fishing in and around the boat ramp.
Stripers aren’t the only fish biting. Hickory shad are still in the upper river and anglers are still catching their limit in some areas. According to Bobby Colston of Colston’s Tackle Box on Hwy. 48 south of Gaston, anglers have been doing very well using 3/0 silver spoons and 3/0 hot pink spoons.
Down river, Ricky Mobley from the Roanoke Sportsman in Williamston, said striper fishing has been really good.
“If they want to catch rock, now is the time to come because the fishing is really good,” Mobley said. According to Mobley, the morning is best to catch stripers, while the afternoon fishing is good as well.
Like upstream, fishermen are having the most success with cut bait, although Mobley said that they’re also catching good numbers with rattletraps, and bombers and hairy worms.
