***TUESDAY JULY 31ST*** Big red drum are biting and tarpon are here in big numbers!!! Weekday charters available as well as one weekend opening next week so give us a call at 336 240-5649 if you are a family on vacation OR a serious fisherman with a bucket list species you are itching to catch. Kids are always welcome, so bring the whole crowd and make some great memories from your summer vacation! Also booking Costa Rica... still some dates available on the "Dragin Fly" out of Los Suenos for 2018 and beyond...
Roanoke River Conditions
from Roanoke Rapids, NC to Halifax, NC
As of 11/11/2024 @ 16:15
Current River Flow
7,510 cfs
River Height
Below Flood Stage
Below Flood Stage
3 ft 7 in
Water Temperature
66 °F
Disolved Oxygen
8 ppm
Oxygen Saturation
114 %
Water pH
7.2
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 !!
Read the latest article from the Ronoke Rapids Daily Herald on April 27, 2009
We schedule two trips per day, morning and afternoon.
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)
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)
Quality Inn
1914 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
Contact: Jessica Hedgepeth
Phone: (252) 537-9927
(2.3 miles from boat ramp)
Jameson Inn
101 S Old Farm Rd
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
Contact: Tracy Jordan
Phone: (252) 533-0022
(2.7 miles from boat ramp)
Days Inn
1611 Julian R. Allsbrook Hwy
Weldon, NC 27890
Contact: Terri Webb
Phone: (252) 536-4867
(2 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.