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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Tar River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano
Date of sample:
4/13/2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
From the WRC Dunbar boat ramp downstream to the WRC Bell’s Bridge boat ramp.
Water temperature was approximately 16 C, or approximately 60 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Dunbar and Bell’s Bridge WRC boat ramps.
Species (spp) information:
Numbers by spp: 51 Striped Bass
Size range by spp: Striped Bass 14-38”
Max size for spp: Striped Bass Female ~ 25 pounds
Sex ratio by spp: Striped Bass ~ 90% males
Were the fish tagged? The Striped Bass were tagged with DMF individually numbered anchor tags
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
At time of sampling, Tar River was at optimal levels for sampling and moderately turbid.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Cool and clear.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
There was 1 boat observed just downstream of Swift Creek and 5 bank anglers fishing near the boat ramps, with 2 of these anglers near Dunbar and 3 near Bell’s Bridge.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
Although no American Shad were collected, a good number were observed just downstream of Dunbar, while very few Hickory Shad were observed. Striped Bass are in good numbers and should be increasing over the next couple of weeks, depending on flows. Several larger Striped Bass, greater than 27 inches, were sampled approximately 5 miles downstream of the Dunbar boat ramp. The river was moderately turbid and rising. Levels should be ideal over the weekend.
TAR/PAMLICO RIVER – April 4 to April 10
Doug Mumford of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared some creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Tar-Pamlico River. The creel surveys are conducted during March, April, and May and extend in the upper portions of the Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers during this time of year. The surveys are administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries through Coastal Recreational Fishing License funding, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission assists with survey design and data interpretation in the upper portions of each river.
Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)
Shad fishing continued in the Tar/Pamlico; American shad were still being taken regularly at Battle Park. A few anglers were fishing for striped bass. The most successful anglers were using cut shad for bait.
Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)
Stripers are still moving up the river. There are small fish around Washington and good numbers of slot fish upstream. The top water bite has been on since the water temps have increased. “Chug bugs” and “Skitter-pops” have been working well.
2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information: