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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Tar River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano
Date of sample:
4/27/2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
From just upstream of Swift Creek downstream to the WRC Bell’s Bridge boat ramp.
Water temperature was approximately 22 C, or approximately 70 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Bell’s Bridge WRC boat ramp.
Species (spp) information:
· Numbers by spp: 35 Striped Bass
· Size range by spp: Striped Bass 12-27”
· Max size for spp: Striped Bass Female ~ 8 pounds
· Sex ratio by spp: Striped Bass ~ 75% 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?
Warm and clear.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
There were no boat or bank anglers observed during our sampling.
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 moderate number were observed just downstream of Swift Creek and all the way to the Bell’s Bridge area. Striped Bass were still observed in fairly good abundance, yet were sporadic. The river was only slightly turbid, yet levels were descending and are beginning to reach the point that navigation is difficult and dangerous.
2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information for Tar/Pamlico River: Between April 18 to April 25
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)
Striper fishing is in full swing. American shad catches were also noted. Most of the shad were taken in upper regions of the Tar/Pamlico near Rocky Mount. Last week American shad were still being taken near Battle Park. The best area again was between the boat ramp and the falls near Battle Park. The shad anglers that were wading the river seemed to catch more fish.
Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)
Stripers are still moving up the river. There are fish around Washington and good numbers of slot fish upstream. Overall fishing effort has fallen. The top water striper bite is still productive. “Chug bugs”, “Skitter-pops”, and “Striper Swipers” have been working well.
Evan Cartabiano with an approximate 8 pound female STB caught on the Tar River about a mile upstream of the WRC Bell’s Bridge boat ramp on April 27, 2016.