Striped bass, also known as Rockfish, are native to the Atlantic coastline, migrating along the North Carolina coast and up into the coastal sounds and freshwater rivers from fall to spring every year. When the weather temperatures get good and cold here, the striped bass really show up. The striped bass has become one of North Carolina’s most sought after game fish, with thousands traveling to the Outer Banks every year to get in on the action.
Stripers can often be found running in large schools along the Outer Banks. The bigger 20+ pounders can be caught along the coastline, while schools of smaller ones can be found more inland throughout the sounds and rivers. Remember though, there are strict regulations on how many each angler can keep.
Our Striped Bass charters are generally run throughout the Albemarle & Pamlico sounds or along the coastline of the Outer Banks. We often will fish Oregon Inlet and surrounding bridges for smaller ones on light tackle penn and shakespeare rods and reels, using a variety of plugs, jigs, spoons and live bait to catch them. If the big ones are running, we have the gear to haul them in too! We will do whatever it takes to make your fishing charter trip a success!
North Carolina is known for having one of the best striped bass fisheries on the east coast. In the 1980s, the state began a comprehensive striped bass management program allowing the fish population to rebound from all-time lows to what are now millions of Striped Bass found in North Carolina waters. There are strict regulations on when, where, how big and how many striped bass each angler can keep. For more information, visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-fishing-striped-bass-information.