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New Bern Striped Bass Fishing with Ashley King
Striped Bass fishing in New Bern
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The Morone Saxatilis belongs to the order Perciformes and family Moronidae. It typically measures between 20 and 55 inches in length, with a weight range from 10 to 81 lbs. Habitat: river, lake, onshore, near shore. - Striped Bass are popular game fish for recreational and commercial fishers. - Also known as Atlantic Striped Bass, Stripers, or Linesider. - Distinguished by seven to eight stripes running down the sides of their body. - Color varies from light green and olive to brown and black with shimmering white belly.
Fishing Guide by Guide Ashley King in August
Meet your Guide Ashley King
- Cast Trout, Drum & more w/ a seasoned professional
Summary
Guide Ashley King of Keep Castin' Charters on Saturday September delivered an outstanding inshore fishing experience targeting trophy Bull Redfish and Striped Bass on the Neuse River. This private 5-hour fishing trip showcases New Bern's premier inshore fishing opportunities, where anglers consistently land quality Stripers using proven techniques like bottom fishing, live bait fishing, and soft plastic casting. The fall bite offers exceptional action for both seasoned anglers and newcomers, with expert guidance ensuring maximum success on these productive waters. From launching at Fairfield Harbour to working prime inshore spots, every detail is handled by experienced local guides who know exactly where to find the fish. Book your New Bern fishing charter today and experience why the Neuse River is considered one of North Carolina's top inshore fishing destinations.
Fishing Charter with Ashley King – Rates & Booking
Guide Ashley King of Keep Castin' Charters on Saturday September offers private 5-hour fishing trips targeting trophy Bull Redfish and Striped Bass on the Neuse River. These guided fishing experiences run $450-650 per trip depending on season and group size, with all tackle, bait, and safety equipment included. Ashley provides expert instruction on bottom fishing, live bait techniques, and soft plastic casting methods that consistently produce results in New Bern waters. Trips launch from Fairfield Harbour with early morning departures to maximize fishing time during peak feeding periods. Licensed and insured guide service ensures a safe, productive day on the water for anglers of all skill levels. Reserve your dates early as fall fishing season books quickly due to exceptional Bull Redfish and Striper action.
Highlights of Private 5-Hour Fishing Trip
This New Bern fishing charter targets the Neuse River's most sought-after species during prime feeding times. The 5-hour duration allows ample time to work multiple productive spots using varied techniques from bottom fishing to casting soft plastics. Fall represents peak season for trophy Bull Redfish, with fish most active from late August through early October in these waters. Striped Bass provide consistent action throughout the trip, with quality fish like the 20-inch Striper landed during this September outing. All necessary gear is provided, allowing you to focus entirely on the fishing experience while Ashley handles navigation, fish location, and technique instruction.
The Neuse River system offers diverse inshore fishing opportunities with protected waters ideal for anglers seeking trophy fish without rough offshore conditions. Keep Castin' Charters maintains a perfect safety record while consistently putting clients on fish through expert local knowledge and proven fishing methods.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped Bass thrive in the Neuse River's brackish waters where they feed aggressively on baitfish, crabs, and shrimp throughout the tidal zones. These powerful fighters prefer structure like oyster bars, channel edges, and grass flats where they ambush prey during moving tides. September fishing in New Bern finds Stripers actively feeding in preparation for their fall migration, making them more aggressive and easier to locate. The 20-inch fish landed on this trip represents typical fall Stripers, though the Neuse regularly produces fish exceeding 30 inches during peak season. Light tackle fishing provides maximum excitement when these hard-fighting fish make their characteristic runs and jumps.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your private fishing trip begins with an early morning launch from Fairfield Harbour, where Ashley provides a complete safety briefing and equipment overview. The charter boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably with all rods, reels, tackle, and bait included in your trip cost. Ashley's local expertise ensures you fish the most productive spots based on current conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns. Expect to use multiple techniques including bottom fishing with cut bait, live bait fishing with shrimp or finger mullet, and casting soft plastics to structure. All fish are photographed before release, and Ashley provides instruction on proper catch-and-release techniques to preserve these valuable fisheries for future generations.
Fishing in Neuse River: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), commonly known as Stripers or Linesiders, belongs to the order Perciformes and family Moronidae. This iconic gamefish features seven to eight distinctive horizontal stripes running along its silvery sides, with coloration ranging from olive-green to dark brown on the back and a bright white belly. In New Bern waters this September, these powerful predators actively feed in preparation for their fall migration patterns.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass represent one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast, prized for their fighting ability and impressive size potential. These anadromous fish spend most of their adult lives in saltwater but return to freshwater rivers like the Neuse to spawn. Anglers value Stripers for their aggressive strikes, powerful runs, and acrobatic jumps when hooked on light tackle.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
Striped Bass inhabit rivers, lakes, nearshore, and offshore waters throughout their range from Canada to North Carolina. In the Neuse River system, they prefer areas with moving water, structure like oyster bars and channel edges, and abundant baitfish populations. These fish move with the tides, following schools of menhaden, anchovies, and other forage species through brackish water zones.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights spanning 10 to 81 pounds for mature fish. The 20-inch Striper caught during this New Bern trip represents a solid keeper-sized fish, while trophy specimens exceeding 40 inches and 30 pounds are regularly taken from North Carolina waters during peak seasons.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
Striped Bass are opportunistic predators feeding primarily on baitfish, crabs, shrimp, and marine worms. They hunt most actively during dawn and dusk periods, often feeding in schools that push baitfish to the surface. During moving tides, Stripers position themselves along current breaks and structure where prey becomes concentrated and easier to ambush.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Striped Bass spawn in freshwater rivers during spring months when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit. In North Carolina, spawning typically occurs from April through June in rivers like the Roanoke, Tar, and Neuse. After spawning, adult fish return to saltwater while juveniles remain in brackish nursery areas for several years before joining the coastal migratory population.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Effective Striped Bass techniques include bottom fishing with cut bait, live bait fishing with spot, croaker, or shrimp, and casting soft plastics or topwater lures to feeding schools. In September around New Bern, anglers find success using light tackle with 15-20 pound test line, allowing these powerful fish to showcase their fighting ability. Structure fishing around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and channel edges produces consistent results during moving tides.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass offer excellent table fare with firm, white, flaky meat that's mild in flavor and versatile in preparation. The flesh is lean and high in protein while being relatively low in mercury compared to many other gamefish. Popular cooking methods include grilling, baking, broiling, and frying, with the fish accepting a wide variety of seasonings and preparations.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Striped Bass?
A: Live or cut bait including spot, croaker, menhaden, and shrimp work exceptionally well. Soft plastic lures, spoons, and topwater plugs are also highly effective when fish are actively feeding.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near New Bern?
A: The Neuse River system offers excellent Striper fishing around oyster bars, channel edges, bridge structures, and grass flats. Focus on areas with moving water and baitfish activity during tide changes.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass provide excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's mild in flavor and high in protein. The fish accepts many cooking methods and seasonings while being relatively low in mercury.
Q: When is the best time to catch Striped Bass?
A: Fall months from September through November offer peak Striper fishing as fish feed aggressively before winter. Dawn and dusk periods during moving tides typically produce the most consistent action.
