Guided Bass Fishing on North Carolina Lakes
Picture this: you're on the water just as the sun starts to peek over the horizon, rod in hand, waiting for that telltale tug that signals a feisty largemouth bass is about to make your day. That's exactly what you'll get with Captain Chad Keeter and the Southern Sun Guides crew on either Roanoke Rapids Lake or Lake Gaston. These North Carolina waters are absolutely loaded with largemouth and spotted bass, and we know exactly where they like to hang out. Whether you're a first-timer who's never held a fishing rod or a weekend warrior looking to land your personal best, this trip delivers the goods. We keep our groups small at just 4 anglers max, so you get plenty of one-on-one attention and room to cast without tangling lines with your buddies.
What to Expect on the Water
When you step aboard our boat, you're getting more than just a ride to the fishing spots - you're getting a masterclass in North Carolina bass fishing. Captain Chad has been working these waters for years and knows every submerged stump, creek channel, and grass bed where bass love to ambush their next meal. We'll start the day by reading the conditions - water temperature, wind direction, and what the fish have been hitting lately - then adjust our game plan accordingly. Some days the bass want to chase topwater lures in the shallows, other times they're holding deep on structure waiting for a perfectly presented soft plastic. The beauty of fishing with experienced guides is that we've got backup plans for our backup plans. If the largemouth aren't cooperating in the main lake, we might slide into a protected cove where the spotted bass are schooling up. The half-day format gives us enough time to hit multiple spots and really dial in what's working without wearing you out.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
We fish smart, not hard, and that means using the right presentation for the conditions. Our tackle box is stocked with everything from tried-and-true spinnerbaits and crankbaits to finesse rigs that'll fool even the most pressured bass. Live bait is often our secret weapon - there's nothing quite like a frisky shiner or a fat nightcrawler to trigger strikes when the artificial stuff isn't cutting it. We'll rig you up with medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting setups depending on your comfort level and what technique we're using. If we're flipping heavy cover for big largemouth, you might find yourself throwing a Texas-rigged creature bait into the thick stuff. When the spotted bass are chasing schools of shad in open water, we'll switch gears to lighter tackle and moving baits like swimbaits or small crankbaits. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell us what they want. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait - you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks if you get hungry between fish.
Customer Stories
Don't just take our word for it - here's what fellow anglers are saying about their time on the water with us: "Captain Chad Keeter gave us an amazing 1/2 day on the water! From start to finish, he was professional, patient, and full of knowledge about the best fishing spots. Thanks to his guidance, we caught the biggest fish of the day — the longest measuring in at an impressive 20 inch bass! It was an exciting and memorable experience that we'll be talking about for years to come. If you're looking for a top-notch fishing trip with big results and great vibes, this is your guy. Highly recommend! Southern Fishing Tour." - Nakia
Species You'll Want to Hook
Largemouth bass are the crown jewel of North Carolina's freshwater fishing scene, and both Roanoke Rapids Lake and Lake Gaston serve up some real trophies. These green machines can push 6-8 pounds in these waters, with the occasional double-digit monster showing up to make your day. Largemouth are ambush predators that love to hide around cover - fallen trees, boat docks, weed edges, and rocky points are all prime real estate. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day, especially early morning and late afternoon when the water temperature is more comfortable. Spring and fall are absolutely prime time when they're feeding heavily, but summer can be fantastic if you know where to find them holding in deeper, cooler water. What makes largemouth so addictive is their attitude - they don't just take your bait, they attack it with authority and put up a serious fight with those acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pumping.
Spotted bass, or "spots" as we call them, are like the scrappy little brothers of the largemouth family, but don't let their size fool you - pound for pound, they might be the hardest fighting bass in these lakes. They typically run smaller than largemouth, with most spots ranging from 12-16 inches, but they make up for size with pure attitude and numbers. Unlike their largemouth cousins who prefer shallow cover, spotted bass love deeper structure like rock piles, channel drops, and submerged humps. They school up more than largemouth, so when you find one, there's usually a whole gang nearby. Summer is actually prime time for spots since they handle the heat better and will stay active in deeper, cooler water when largemouth shut down. They're also more willing to chase moving baits, making them perfect targets for crankbaits, spoons, and swimbaits. The fight they put up is legendary - they'll take you straight to the bottom, then suddenly rocket toward the surface in a series of bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, we could talk all day about the technical stuff, but the bottom line is simple: North Carolina's bass fishing is world-class, and there's no better way to experience it than with guides who live
5.0(1 Reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
100 Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC, USA
Target largemouth and spotted bass on premier North Carolina lakes
