THE STATEWIDE QUEST FOR STRIPED BASS!
- Chris Douglas
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Here in North Carolina, Striped Bass Fishing or Rockfish as many anglers call them in the eastern part of the state, are as much a part of our history and culture as Nascar. These fish will readily bite a number of different baits, fight hard and if you're allowed to take some home, are excellent table fare. This week we're hitting the road! Heading east first, we meet up with long time friend Captain Scooter Lilley 252-799-9536 of CWW Inshore Charters to fish the Albemarle sound! We're joined on this trip by Barry Partlo, owner of one of NC's most famous brands- Agri Supply! It's cold and the fish are moving into the sound to stage up for their long journey to Weldon in the spring.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been monitoring the eastern migrating population for a long time and have been detecting signs of stress and are coordinating efforts to mitigate this problem so we can enjoy this fishery for years to come!
After a successful day on the Albemarle, a few weeks later we headed west to the opposite end of the state and Lake Hiwassee! My friend Corey Oakley who the Assistant Chief of Sportfish Management at the WRC is also part of the Better Fishing with Two Bald Biolgists podcast team and invited me for a trip to catch big stripers there. Who am I to turn down the chance to catch big stripers! Lake Hiwassee is known for a quality population of striped bass thanks to the Wildlife Resources Commission and holds the state striped bass record with a 66 lbs beast caught by Tyler Shields back in 2012. Unlike the population in the east these fish are completely stocked in these lakes by the WRC and on Hiwassee, in particular, it's managed for quality more than quantity. We met up with Don LaTulipe of High Roller Fishing Guide and Powell Wheeler who's the District 9 biologist who manages this fishery.
We learned a lot on this trip as Powell took the time to tell us about their stocking program and management practices. We caught some nice stripers that we could actually take home with us! Now that I know what I know I can tell you I'll be back! If you want to see how it all went down check out our latest episode! NC Striped Bass Quest! on YouTube and you can also watch on Pursuit Channel
Mon 1:30am/Tue 4:30am/Thu 8:30am/Fri 7am/Sat 10:30am/Sun 2am
YouTube episodes-
Drop every Sunday Afternoon at 1pm!
If you want to experience the Albermarle, Roanoke and other coastal rivers for stripers contact our buddy Captain Scooter Lilley 252-799-9536 of CWW Inshore Charters If you want to give Lake Hiwassee a shot call Don LaTulipe at (828) 644-4333!
