North Carolina Bass Fishing

 

Top North Carolina Bass Fishing Lakes

Kerr Lake
Try fishing around the mouth of the big creeks, the mouth of the small creeks that dump into the main lake, and around big bays.

Jordan Lake
Bass usually move off the bank and toward deep water around the first of June, search for them in 8 to 10 feet of water. As the summer progresses and the water warms up even more, they will move progressively deeper.

High Rock Lake
Find them around boat docks in the summer.  Also, look for rock, brush, stumps between 8-12 ft.

 

North Carolina Bass Fishing Tips

Largemouth Bass

In North Carolina, Largemouth Bass are found in lakes, ponds and many streams and rivers. They prefer locations with lots of structure, such as submerged vegetation, brush piles, stumps, boat docks and standing timber. Underwater points, humps, drop-offs, bridge pilings and old road beds are also favored haunts, particularly in reservoirs.  Artificial baits such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, jigs and soft plastic lures imitating minnows, crayfish, salamanders and worms are good choices. Live baits such as minnows, nightcrawlers and crayfish also can be effective for catching Largemouth Bass.  The North Carolina State Record for Largemouth Bass is 15 lbs. - 14 oz.

Smallmouth Bass

In North Carolina, smallmouth bass often inhabit coolwater streams, lakes and reservoirs in the western part of the state.  Smallmouth bass living in NC lakes feed on shad and crayfish while stream-dwelling smallmouths eat mainly minnows and crayfish.  Smallmouth Bass can be caught on a wide variety of artificial baits, but they generally prefer smaller sizes than largemouth bass. Artificial baits in orange and brown patterns that resemble crayfish are a popular choice. When fishing in moving water with live bait, such as crayfish, minnows or nightcrawlers, cast upstream and let the bait drift into pools and behind boulders and snags that break the current.  The North Carolina State Record for Smallmouth Bass is 10 lbs. - 2 oz.

Striped Bass

As adults, Striped Bass migrate each spring from the ocean into four major North Carolina coastal rivers (the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear) to spawn. In addition to these native migratory populations, the Commission stocks striped bass into many reservoirs in North Carolina.  Live and cut baits, such as gizzard shad, threadfin shad and hickory shad, are popular in coastal rivers. Bucktail jigs in white and yellow, spoons and rattling crankbaits are also effective.  Lake Norman, Badin Lake, and the Roanoke River are popular Striped Bass fisheries.  The North Carolina State Record for Striped Bass is 54 lbs. - 2 oz.

Rock Bass

In North Carolina, Rock Bass are native to rivers in the western part of the state that flow to the Mississippi, and they have been stocked into numerous rivers draining to the Atlantic Ocean. Rock bass are usually found near sheltered pool areas around rocks and woody debris in rivers in the mountains and foothills.  Rock Bass usually bite readily and will take almost any lure they can fit in their mouths. Good artificial baits include spinners, small plastic worms, jigs, small crankbaits and flies. Productive live baits include minnows, crayfish and worms.  The North Carolina State Record for Rock Bass is 1 lb. - 14 oz.

White Bass

In North Carolina, White Bass are native to the rivers in the western part of the state that flow to the Mississippi. They have also been introduced into rivers that flow to the Atlantic Ocean, such as the Catawba and Yadkin rivers.  White Bass can be found in practically all of North Carolina’s large reservoirs.  Anglers often have success fishing with live minnows or shad and artificial lures, such as jigs, spinners, spoons and small crankbaits.  The North Carolina State Record for White Bass is 5 lbs. - 14 oz.