Thread: Roanoke River Stripers

I just got off the phone with chad the lead biologist for the Roanoke river. He said the season is going to be extended through Sunday. They're working on the press release now. So it should be on their website sometime today according to him

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission > News > News Article

Do ya'll recommend fishing with a buddy or can you fish safely by yourself?

I've always taken someone with me. The hardest part of the trip can be putting in and taking out of the river. Usually there are a number of trucks in line and then there is the factor of loading and unloading the boat in river current. Sure is nice to have someone to help in this part of the trip.

It can be useful to have someone to help with anchoring if you are going to do that.

Re: what Jordanlimit said - it will be a zoo up there this weekend being the last of keeper season. You may have people wanting to kill you launching/recovering by yourself or you could have folks more than willing to help to expedite things.

Latest flow projections are 10,000 cfs on Sat and Sun, 8,000 cfs on Mon and Tues, 6,500 Wed - Fri.

So the dropping flows will knot the fish up more just at the time the crowds drop so if you want to fish for fun vs meat go Mon or later. They will be around a few more weeks although probably start spawning with the warm weather next week. Hopefully that midweek subtropical system some weather stations are starting to talk about won't materialize and flush out the young.

Ok thanks for the advice. Took a ride today to see how the fishing was going. Some guys said it was a decent day. Some guys said it was tough. Water temp dropped a degree or 2 due to the rain.

I am going back Friday morning. Really want to concentrate on using artificial but will have some shad with me just in case. I have some white and pink fluke minnows with 1/2oz jig heads. Do i need to try to bounce these on the bottom or retrieve the lure fast closer to the surface? I also would like to know what kind of hook should I use on a top water lure. Is there anything else I should pick up to try? thanks for all the help.

Buzzzz

Typically bouncing bottom. Let fall on tight line cause that is when typically hit. If let fall on slack will miss lots of hits. But most importantly let the fish tell you what theyWant. Must take treble off top water and replace with single hook. I can't say what lure as I haven't done that much. Have thrown a weightless fluke and fished just subsurface before