Our Fishing Seasons

UPPER ROANOKE RIVER SPRING STRIPED BASS & SHAD (Weldon, NC)

March (Shad); April-May (Stripers)                If you have ever dreamed of catching 100 fish in a day, then you should fish below the fall line of the Roanoke River in Weldon during the spring spawning run.  The season begins in late February and March with the first showing of American and Hickory Shad.  The shad has often been called the “poor man’s tarpon” for its ability to jump out of the water and make screaming runs. It is truly a great fighting fish on light to ultralight conventional or fly tackle.  The shad run continues through early April and ends with the beginning of the striped bass spawning run in early April which usually peaks in late April and continues throughout May. Anglers are allowed to keep 2 fish/day/person from 18-22 inches until April 30.  May 1 begins the catch and release season with great topwater action in early mornings and late evenings and excellent fly fishing.

OUTER BANKS SOUND, INLET, & NEARSHORE OCEAN (Nags Head, NC)

June – Mid August

The Outer Banks is famous for all types of fishing, especially its bountiful inshore and nearshore fishery.  We are based in Nags Head and fish the Nags Head/Roanoke Island area all the way down to Oregon Inlet and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. On backcountry trips in the sound and inlet, targeted species may include speckled trout, grey trout (weakfish), flounder, red drum, striped bass, sheepshead, black drum, bluefish, and spanish mackerel.  On nearshore ocean trips, targeted species may include all of the above in addition to cobia, amberjack, king mackerel, sharks, triggerfish, sea bass, tilefish, mahi-mahi, false albacore, bonita, and more…………. the possibilities are endless!

PAMLICO SOUND GIANT RED DRUM (Oriental, NC)

Mid August – September

If giant Red Drum turn you on, then our Pamlico Sound “old drum” catch and release fishery is what you need to experience.  We fish the highest concentrations of these giants in the Pamlico Sound and lower Neuse River. These fish are the largest red drum within their geographic range.  The first fish show up in July, with the best fishing being from mid-August to the end of September.  These are the adult spawning class of drum that live in the ocean for most of the year and return to the Pamlico Sound each summer to spawn.  They range in size from 30 to 60 pounds and multiple hookups and double digit releases are common.  We fish at night and during the day.  This fishery is an absolute must if you enjoy catching big fish and lots of them.  You can be engaged with the fishing or simply sit back and relax, sip some cool ones, and wait for the “heavy strike” and that familiar drag screaming as the rod doubles over.

PAMLICO/PUNGO RIVER LIGHT TACKLE MIXED BAG

Page 1 of 3 | Next page