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BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Tar River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Kirk Rundle and Bill Collart

 

Date of sample:

4/28/2014      

 

Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:

From the Battle Park boat ramp downstream to the WRC Dunbar boat ramp.

 

Water temperature was 15 C, approximately 60 F

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Battle Park boat ramp in Rocky Mount

 

Species (spp) information:

·         Spp. captured:  Striped Bass

 

·         Numbers by spp:  55 Striped Bass

 

·         Size range by spp:  Striped Bass ~ 17-32”

 

·         Max size for spp:  Striped Bass – Female ~ 12 pounds

 

·         Sex ratio by spp:  Striped Bass ~ 40% females

 

·         Were the fish tagged? Yes, the Striped Bass were tagged with yellow DMF anchor tags.

 

 

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:

River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):

 

At time of sampling, Tar River was at ideal levels for sampling and fishing, with moderate turbidity. 

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

 

Cool and overcast.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

 

There were several anglers fishing, most appeared to be targeting Striped Bass.

 

Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:

 

We were targeting Striped Bass in our sampling, yet also observed moderate numbers of American Shad.  Anglers targeting American or “white” Shad should try fishing in the vicinity of Battle Park or near the Hwy 97 canoe access area, yet should be able to find fish downstream to Tarboro.  Anglers targeting Striped Bass should be able to find fish from the Battle Park area downstream to Tarboro in fairly good numbers.  The striped bass harvest season closed as scheduled in rule on April 30th. Anglers can continue to catch striped bass on the Tar River, provided all striped bass caught are quickly released.

 

TAR /PAMLICO RIVER:  Week of April 21 to April 27

Upper Region (Greenville to Rocky Mount)

Stripers, stripers, stripers, was the word from this region of the Tar River.  The annual John Cherry Rockfish rodeo sponsored by the Tarboro Association of Saltwater Sportsman was held on April 26th and 27th.  Thirty-nine (39) anglers entered the tournament.  A 13lb striped bass took first place.  Tournament officials reported seeing more fish this year than in any previous year.  The bite quit when the muddy water showed up after the rain on Saturday afternoon.  Anglers fishing for American shad also reported good catches.

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington) 

Last week the weather was beautiful weather but there was very little fishing activity. Freshwater fish were what most folks were landing.  Port Agents did not see any striped bass at all, and only a few released (mostly undersized).  A few bluegill and catfish were weighed and measured from anglers at Tranter's and Blount's Creek.  Anglers at Tranter's Creek reported releasing large numbers of largemouth bass.  A few flounder were landed around Goose Creek, but were undersized.  The speckled trout bite fell off during the period.

 

   
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Two anglers fish for striped bass and catfish from moored boat on the Tar River on April 28, 2014.