hey Jonesy, I fish the tar up between Tarboro and Rocky Mount. Always seem to catch 6 or more nice channels when I go. I have found in this river that the best bait for good eating size cats is stinkbait. hawgwild or sonny's dip bait are two that really work well. I use these right beside cut bait and livers and always end up using the stink bait. keeps you from catching eels and blackfish also. I have caught alot of cats around the log jams even if only in a few feet of water. Good luck