STRIPED BASS SPAWNING RUN

In the spring we travel up to Weldon, North Carolina to fish the Roanoke River during the Striped Bass Spawning Run. If you've never had the chance to fish for ocean stripers that come up the river to spawn, you're missing one of the most remarkable adventures of a lifetime. From the "Old Pro" to the "I've never fished before", the experience is truly unforgettable. It's great for kids, grandkids and Grandmas too! The height of the season is usually April 15 until May 15, and catching eighty to one hundred fish in a day is possible at this incredible fishery.

Watch a video about what to expect on this amazing fishing adventure of a lifetime!

Now for those of you who've never heard of Weldon, let me tell you a little bit about it. Weldon is a small town in North Carolina located right next to the Virginia border on I-95. It's known as the "Rockfish Capitol of the World". "Rockfish", also known as Striped Bass, come from the Atlantic from as far away as coastal New Jersey and Massachusetts to spawn there every spring. Weldon has a great small town feel to it. It’s not overrun with traffic (except of course, during Striper season!), and they have cool hometown restaurants to eat at too! If you hang around a few of them at dinner time, you'll most likely hear about what the day on the river was like. You'll hear a few fish tales too, just try and figure out how “long” that tale was !!

Can you imagine catching a hundred pound striper in a river that’s a cast and a half wide and three to twelve feet deep? Sound like heaven? It is... it’s called the Roanoke River... Click here to read the full story!

Read the latest article from the Ronoke Rapids Daily Herald on April 27, 2009

• Find out where to stay in Weldon, NC.
• Get Directions to Weldon, NC.
• Check the Weather in Weldon, NC.

Where to Stay

Now if you've made it this far you must be getting serious about booking a trip and you're probably wondering where you're going to stay.

Our favorite place to stay is the Ponderosa Campground. It's just one mile from the boat ramp, an easy 5 minutes drive. We try to get our same spot every year. Just down the path is a small stream where you can clean your catch of the day for supper. If you walk down the path at the other end of the campground, there is a walking trail that has a natural aqueduct! It is beautiful.

The trail is part of a 7 mile walking trail, the Roanoke Canal Trail, mostly flat and absolutely breathtaking for it's natural beauty. (Click here for more information on this beautiful and historical trail)

Ponderosa Campground/RV Park
100 Ponderosa Road
Weldon, N.C. 27890
Contact: Greg Stephenson
Phone: (252) 536-4741
e-mail: ponderosarv@embarqmail.com
(1.1 miles from boat ramp)

Now for the folks who prefer motels over camping there are many fine motels in the Roanoke Rapids/Weldon area just minutes from the boat ramp. Here are a few that I would recommend.

Hampton Inn Roanoke Rapids
85 Hampton Boulevard
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
Phone: (252) 308-6720
*** Contact: Percilla West and mention me, "Capt. Ponytail" to receive a special room discount!
(2.3 miles from boat ramp)

Directions (Click here to print these directions)

If you are traveling from the south on I-95:

• Take I-95 North to exit 173 (Roanoke Rapids/Weldon)
• At top of the ramp turn right going east on Hwy. 158 toward Weldon.
• Go through downtown Weldon.
• Get in left lane. At T-intersection with Hwy. 301 Go left.
• The NC Wildlife boat ramp is IMMEDIATE right after you get on Hwy. 301.

If you are traveling from the north on I-95:

• Take I-95 South to exit 173 (Roanoke Rapids/Weldon)
• At end of the ramp turn left going east on Hwy. 158 toward Weldon.
• Go through downtown Weldon.
• Get in left lane. At T-intersection with Hwy. 301 Go left.
• The NC Wildlife boat ramp is IMMEDIATE right after you get on Hwy. 301.

If you are traveling from the south on I-85:

• Take I-85 North through Durham toward Henderson.
• Follow I-85 North to exit 229 . (Oine Rd.)
• Go to top of the ramp and turn right on Oine Rd.
• Follow and stay left on Oine rd. to T-intersection at Hwy. 158.
• Turn left on Hwy. 158.
• Go to stop light and turn right on Hwy. 158 east.
• Follow Hwy. 158 east to Roanoke Rapids.
• Go through Roanoke Rapids and underneath I-95
• Go through downtown Weldon.
• Get in left lane. At T-intersection with Hwy. 301 Go left.
• The NC Wildlife boat ramp is IMMEDIATE right after you get on Hwy. 301.

This interactive satellite weather map allows you to zoom in and out as well as play the last 2hrs of weather activity.