TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008
Roanoke striped bass season opens March 1
By ED WALL
FREEDOM NEWS SERVICE
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will open the entire Roanoke River Management Area 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 per day. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22-27 inches may be possessed at any time. Only one striped bass larger than 27 inches can be included in the daily creel limit.
The NCWRC reminds anglers that they are required to use a single barbless hook or lure with a single barbless hook when fishing in the upper Roanoke River from April 1 through June 30. The upper Roanoke River is defined as the main channel and all tributaries, upstream from the U.S. Highway 258 Bridge near Scotland Neck to Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam. Anglers can make hooks barbless by crimping down the barb.
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. The Wildlife Resource Commission's Web site at www.ncwildlife.org includes information on releasing stripers safely. In addition, there is a list of free, Commission-managed boat ramps on the Roanoke. From March until the end of May, fishing reports from the Roanoke will be posted online every Thursday afternoon.
MORE ENTERED
Three more "First Shads" have been entered in the 2008 Grifton Shad Festival Hickory Shad Fishing Contest, and one big one has been recorded in the "Largest Shad" division.
All the "First Shads" were taken at the mouth of Contentnea Creek, and all by fishermen who won trophies in last year's contest. Two were caught on Saturday, Feb. 9 and one on Sunday, Feb. 10. This closes out the "First Shad" division because the First Shad Caught by a Male Adult was documented on Jan. 12. The "Largest Shad" divisions are still open, however.
Jenna Barrow of Winterville caught the First Shad in the Female Youth Division. It was the sixth consecutive year that Barrow, age 10, has won that division. Nobody else has equaled that accomplishment in the 38-year history of the fishing contest.
Twelve year-old Conner Bowen entered the First Shad in the Male Youth Division. His fish, caught on Feb. 9, weighed 14 oz. and was 14 inches long.
Julie Troutman took the honors for Female Adult with a 1-lb. hickory shad, also caught on Feb. 9. Troutman's fish hit a green and white "shad dart" jig. Her fish, as well as the other two, were caught on Daiwa rod and reels.
The largest shad entered in the contest thus far was caught by Tracey Blake. It weighed 2 lb. 7 oz. and was 16 inches long. David Godwin of Stoney Creek Outfitters said this is quite large for a hickory shad this time of year. Tracey was using a chartreuse spoon and also took his fish at the mouth of Contentnea Creek.
Awards will be given for the largest hickory shad entered in each of four divisions: Male Adult, Female Adult, Male Youth and Female Youth. The deadline for entering the contest is noon on Wed., April 16 and there is no charge to enter. Only hickory shad are eligible. Fish must be taken on hook and line (no nets) and weighed and recorded at Stoney Creek Outfitters on NC Rt. 11 just south of Contentnea Creek. Phone 252-524-9800 for information.
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