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Striped Bass Fishing in New Bern Waters
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. - 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 its body.
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 striped bass on the Neuse River. This private 5-hour fishing trip showcased the productive fall bite that makes New Bern waters famous among serious anglers. Using proven techniques like bottom fishing, live bait fishing, and soft plastics, we worked prime inshore spots where striped bass congregate during their seasonal migration. The 20-inch striper landed during this charter demonstrates why the Neuse River system remains one of North Carolina's premier fishing destinations. Fall conditions create ideal opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers to connect with these hard-fighting gamefish. Book your guided fishing adventure with Keep Castin' Charters and experience the exceptional inshore fishing that New Bern has to offer.
Fishing Charter with Ashley King – Rates & Booking
Guide Ashley King of Keep Castin' Charters on Saturday September offers private 5-hour fishing trips targeting the productive fall bite on the Neuse River. These guided fishing experiences focus on striped bass and trophy bull redfish using proven inshore techniques. All tackle and gear are provided, with trips launching from Fairfield Harbour under optimal conditions. The charter accommodates anglers of all skill levels, with personalized instruction and local knowledge ensuring productive fishing. Book your trip early as fall represents peak season for both striped bass and bull redfish activity. Contact Keep Castin' Charters to secure your dates and experience some of the best inshore fishing New Bern waters have to offer.
Highlights of Private 5-Hour Fishing Trip
This charter targets the exceptional fall fishing that makes the Neuse River system legendary among Carolina anglers. The trip employs multiple techniques including bottom fishing, live bait presentations, and soft plastic casting to maximize success across varying conditions. Prime inshore spots are selected based on seasonal patterns, tidal movement, and recent fish activity. The 20-inch striped bass landed during this September outing represents the quality fishing available during peak fall migration periods.
Keep Castin' Charters provides all necessary equipment and local expertise to ensure productive fishing regardless of experience level. The Neuse River's diverse structure and seasonal fish movements create consistent opportunities for memorable catches throughout the fall season.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped bass thrive in the Neuse River's brackish waters, using the system as both feeding grounds and migration corridors during fall months. These powerful fish respond well to live bait presentations near structure, with soft plastics proving effective when worked along drop-offs and channel edges. September through October represents prime time as cooling water temperatures trigger increased feeding activity and predictable movement patterns. The 20-inch fish caught during this charter demonstrates the quality stripers available to anglers who understand seasonal timing and proper technique application.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your private 5-hour fishing trip launches from Fairfield Harbour with all tackle, bait, and safety equipment provided by Keep Castin' Charters. The boat accommodates comfortable fishing for small groups while maintaining mobility to work multiple productive spots throughout the trip. Guide Ashley King provides personalized instruction on technique, local knowledge about seasonal patterns, and assistance with fish handling and photography. Early morning departures take advantage of optimal feeding periods and comfortable conditions before afternoon heat builds.
Fishing in Neuse River: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), commonly known as Atlantic Striped Bass, Stripers, or Linesider, 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 light green and olive to brown and black on the back, complemented by a shimmering white belly. In New Bern waters this September, these powerful fish utilize the Neuse River system as prime feeding and migration habitat.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped bass represent one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast, prized for their fighting ability, size potential, and excellent table fare. These anadromous fish spend most of their adult lives in saltwater but return to freshwater rivers like the Neuse to spawn. Their distinctive striped pattern and robust build make them easily identifiable, while their aggressive feeding behavior creates exciting fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
Striped bass inhabit rivers, lakes, nearshore, and offshore waters throughout their range. In North Carolina, the Neuse River system provides critical habitat for both resident and migratory populations. These fish prefer areas with current, structure, and abundant baitfish, making the Neuse River's channels, drop-offs, and creek mouths prime fishing locations. Water temperatures between 55-68°F trigger peak feeding activity.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights spanning 10 to 81 pounds. The 20-inch fish caught during this New Bern charter represents a solid keeper-sized striper, while trophy fish exceeding 40 inches and 30 pounds are possible in these waters. Growth rates vary based on food availability and water conditions, with Neuse River fish benefiting from abundant forage.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
Striped bass are opportunistic predators feeding on menhaden, shad, herring, crabs, and various baitfish species. They hunt in schools, often driving baitfish to the surface in spectacular feeding frenzies. Dawn and dusk represent peak feeding periods, though they remain active throughout the day during fall migration. These fish use their lateral line system to detect vibrations and locate prey in murky water conditions.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Striped bass spawn in freshwater rivers during spring months when water temperatures reach 55-65°F. In North Carolina waters, spawning typically occurs from April through June, with fish moving upstream to find suitable gravel beds and current for egg deposition. After spawning, adult fish return to saltwater, while juveniles remain in freshwater nursery areas for several years before joining coastal populations.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Effective striped bass techniques include live bait fishing with menhaden or shad, bottom fishing with cut bait, and casting soft plastics or spoons near structure. During September in New Bern, anglers find success working channel edges, creek mouths, and shallow flats where baitfish concentrate. Light tackle enhances the fighting experience, while circle hooks improve survival rates for released fish.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped bass provide excellent table fare with firm, white meat and mild flavor. The flesh is versatile for grilling, baking, or frying, with high protein content and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Fish from 18-28 inches typically offer the best eating quality, while larger fish may be released to preserve breeding stock. Proper handling and quick cleaning ensure optimal flavor and texture.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for striped bass?
A: Live menhaden, shad, and eels are top choices, while cut bait, soft plastics, and spoons also produce excellent results depending on conditions and fish activity.
Q: Where can I find striped bass near New Bern?
A: The Neuse River system offers prime striped bass habitat, with productive areas including channel edges, creek mouths, shallow flats, and structure near Fairfield Harbour.
Q: Is striped bass good to eat?
A: Yes, striped bass provide excellent table fare with firm, white meat and mild flavor that works well grilled, baked, or fried.
Q: When is the best time to catch striped bass?
A: Fall months from September through November offer peak fishing as cooling water temperatures trigger increased feeding activity and predictable migration patterns.
