Hi folks. I would like to share some of my Weldon experiences with y'all in hopes it will help you have a more enjoyable trip.

My first Weldon trip was an awesome experience to say the least. My buddy Bill talked me into going. I said, "Bill, my boat is fiberglass." He said, "mine is too and I have been fishing the Roanoke for many years with only a ding on my skeg to show for it." Bill's confidence made me feel good about towing the HOT SPOT two hours for a day of striper action.

Bill certainly knew the ropes and made my first trip fun and exciting. He had a plan for everything.

The first and most important thing I will tell you is go with someone that knows the ropes. Go with them in their boat, or tag along in your boat. You will gain a lot of knowledge and confidence.

The second most important thing I will tell you is, do not fish on Saturday or Sunday. The weekend crowd is enormous with many folks being "Weldon Rookies." Do yourself and your blood pressure a favor and stay away! Monday morning through Friday around noon are the best times to go. The majority of the weekday crowd are experienced anglers or guides.

The best time to arrive at the ramp is 8:00 AM. The early morning crowd is gone, but you may have to hunt around for a parking spot. The Weldon ramp is not great and I highly recommend launching with two people. The current is rushing by the ramp like the tide rushes through Taylor's Creek around Radio Island. If you have never experienced this before, it can be spooky. Make sure your motor is running good and is ready to be hammered before leaving the security of the trailer. Once you launch, move west of the ramp and hover until your driver walks down the muddy banks of the Roanoke. Keep the bow of your boat facing into the current just as you always go into the wind when docking. Your driver's feet will be muddy, have a towel on board to help clean up and then get away from the ramp/pickup area as soon as possible. There are two rock piles close to the ramp, keep an eye out for them and always keep an eye on the depth finder.

Now that we are safely in the water, lets get on plane, slow and easy. I ride until I see some other boats, some will be anchored, some will be drifting. If you see someone with a bent rod that has a fish on the other end, stop. This should be a good starting point.

I prefer to use artificials on the Roanoke. I take a lot of 3/8 oz jig heads in various colors because you will loose some, or a lot! Be sure to knock down the barbs on the jig heads. My soft plastic of choice is Zoom's Salty Super Fluke in Pearl White, Chartreuse, Watermelon, Smokin Shad and Arkansas Shiner. I use a 10 pound class baitcaster on a medium light 7 foot rod. The reel is spooled with 20 pound braid with a 12 pound mono shock leader 12 inches long. I like the braid because it allows you to feel those subtle hits and its easy to keep the line tight. The jig head and plastic body combination is meant to mimic the sand eels that stripers love to eat.

Once I find my spot, I throw out a river style anchor. I use a 14 pound mushroom style anchor. You do not want to use a fluke style anchor in the river for obvious reasons. I anchor up about 30 yards from the bank. Why so close? To keep people from drifting between you and the bank. Yes they will!!

Cast your lure upstream and begin to slowly reel it in. Once you feel it hit the bottom, give it a gentle pop while keeping the line tight. You want to make the lure pop up off the bottom about 4 inches, then fall back down. They will hit the lure when it is falling, BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR LINE TIGHT AT ALL TIMES. If you work the bank for 5 minutes with no bites, crank up, put the motor in reverse, and let the boat drag the anchor back 30 to 40 yards and start fishing again. If you work a long section of bank with no bites, go out into the middle of the river and drift. No casting is required when drifting, simply work lure off the bottom in the same manner.

Another tip is to shorten your net. I grab the net and bunch it up, then put a tie wrap around it so that the net itself is only 12 inches deep. This makes it easy to land the fish, remove the hook and get it back in the water quickly. I use a Boga Grip while handling the fish, take a quick weight, a quick picture and an easy release. You will do this time and time again if the conditions are right. If you plan to keep some fish, be sure you are up to date on the regulations. Keep the smaler better tasting males and let the females go.

I like to get back to the ramp just before 3:00 PM. In other words, just before the mad rush to load and leave. Be prepared to get checked by a Wildlife Officer. They are very nice and professional and will appreciate your cooperation.

We caught 65 fish on one trip several years back, started fishing at 8:30 AM, took a 45 minute lunch break (Johnsonville Brats on the Magma Grill) and were on the trailer at 3:00 PM. Your arms and hands will be tired in a good way.

The spring striper run at Weldon is one of nature's special events. Every NCAngler should experience it at least once. While you are there, be respectful of the resource and be respectful of others and......

Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing.

Useful Links:

Fishing for Striped Bass on the Roanoke River

ROANOKE RIVER DATA AT ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC

ROANOKE RIVER DATA AT WILLIAMSTON, NC