Guided Catfish And Bass Fishing Trip In North Carolina
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish speciesAccommodates up to 4 guests on guided lake fishingProfessional guides customize trips based on fish activity
Ready to wet your line in some of North Carolina's finest fishing waters? This top-rated guided trip puts you right where the action is, targeting everything from hard-fighting striped bass to monster catfish that'll test your drag. We're talking about a full day on the water with an experienced local guide who knows exactly where these fish like to hang out and what they're biting on any given day. Whether you're looking to land your personal best or just want to fill the cooler, this trip delivers the goods. With space for up to four anglers, it's perfect for buddies, family outings, or anyone who wants to experience world-class fishing without the guesswork.
Your day starts early when we meet at the boat ramp, tackle boxes loaded and anticipation running high. The beauty of this guided experience is that we're not locked into one specific spot – we'll move around based on what's biting and where the fish are holding. Some days that means working the deeper channels for striped bass, other times we're tucked into quiet coves casting for largemouth. The guide keeps close tabs on water temperature, bait movement, and seasonal patterns, so you're always fishing the most productive water. Don't worry about bringing gear – we've got quality rods, reels, and tackle that can handle everything from finicky spotted bass to bruiser blue catfish. The boat is equipped with fish finders and GPS, taking all the guesswork out of finding structure and schools of baitfish.
This isn't a one-trick-pony trip. Depending on conditions and target species, we'll switch up techniques throughout the day to keep things productive and interesting. For striped bass, we might be trolling crankbaits along drop-offs or casting live bait near points and humps. When we're after largemouth, expect to throw everything from topwater plugs at dawn to Texas-rigged soft plastics around cover. The catfish game is all about patience and presentation – we'll set up with circle hooks and cut bait, letting these bottom dwellers come to us. The guide carries a full arsenal of lures, weights, and terminal tackle, plus knows which baits work best in different seasons. You'll pick up techniques you can use on your home waters, whether that's reading electronics or understanding how fish relate to structure.
Largemouth bass are the bread and butter of North Carolina fishing, and these waters hold some real tanks. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are in that sweet 60-70 degree range, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Largemouth love shallow cover in warmer months – think fallen trees, weed lines, and rocky points – then move deeper when it cools off. What makes them so fun is their attitude – they hit hard and fight dirty, jumping and bulldogging toward any cover they can find. A five-pounder will give you a workout, and the possibility of a true giant keeps things exciting all day long.
Spotted bass might be smaller than their largemouth cousins, but pound-for-pound they're some of the scrappiest fish swimming. These guys prefer deeper, clearer water and are absolute suckers for small jigs and grubs worked along rocky bottoms. They school up more than largemouth, so once you find one, there's usually more nearby. Spots are most cooperative in cooler months when they're feeding heavily, and they'll often suspend over deep structure following schools of shad. The best part about spotted bass fishing is the consistency – when you dial in the pattern, you can catch them all day long.
Striped bass are the heavy hitters of this fishery, and when they're feeding, it's some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience. These silver bullets can push 20-30 pounds and make screaming runs that'll have your reel singing. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, often feeding in schools that push baitfish to the surface. When you find feeding stripers, it's pure chaos – birds diving, bait jumping, and fish busting on top as far as you can see. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Blue catfish are the true giants of these waters, with fish over 40 pounds caught regularly. These bottom dwellers are most active during warmer months and can be caught day or night, though many trophy hunters prefer fishing for them after dark. They're not picky eaters – cut bait, chicken liver, and stink baits all work – but they can be particular about presentation and location. Blues prefer deeper holes and channels with good current flow, and once you hook one, get ready for a long, bulldogging fight. They're also fantastic eating, despite what some people think about catfish.
Bluegill might be the smallest fish we target, but they're pure fun on light tackle and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These feisty panfish are most active during their spring spawn when they're aggressive and easy to locate in shallow, sandy areas. They'll hit just about anything – small jigs, worms, crickets, or tiny spinners – and fight harder than fish twice their size. Bluegill are also some of the best eating fish in the lake, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for a fish fry.
This customer favorite trip gives you access to some of North Carolina's best fishing without the learning curve. You'll spend your day with a guide who lives and breathes these waters, learning techniques and patterns that take most anglers years to figure out on their own. Whether you're hoping to land your first striper or add a new personal best to your fishing stories, this renowned guided experience puts all the pieces together for a successful day on the water. The memories and fish stories from this trip will last long after you've cleane
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are our biggest catfish, growing massive - we're talking 25-46 inches and 80+ pounds on the big end. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat almost anything, from crawfish to cut bait to whatever's available. These fish love deep holes in rivers and tidal creeks with muddy bottoms, especially where freshwater meets brackish. They're most active in warmer months but bite year-round. What makes blue cats special is the combination of size and fight - they'll test your tackle and your patience. The meat is excellent, mild and flaky when prepared right. They're actually considered overpopulated in some areas, so you're helping the ecosystem by keeping them. Here's my go-to method: fresh cut herring on the bottom in deep holes near tidal influence. Let it sit still - these fish are scavengers and will find a good stinky bait sitting on the bottom.
Lepomis MacrochirusThese scrappy little panfish are perfect for families and anyone wanting steady action. Bluegill average around 8 inches but can push 16 inches in good water. They school up in groups of 10-20 fish, so once you find one, you'll usually find more. Look for them in shallow water around docks, fallen logs, and weedy areas where they love to hide and feed. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're spawning and aggressive. What makes bluegill special is their willingness to bite almost anything - worms, small jigs, even bread crumbs work. They fight hard for their size and taste great in the pan. My go-to tip: use a simple bobber rig with a small hook and live worm, and fish right at dawn or dusk when they're most active feeding.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the crown jewel of freshwater fishing, averaging 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, though the big girls can push much heavier. You'll recognize them by that massive mouth that extends past their eyes when open. They love hanging around structure - fallen trees, docks, weed lines, and drop-offs in lakes and ponds. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most aggressive, but they bite year-round. What keeps anglers coming back is that explosive strike and the fight they put up, often jumping clear out of the water. They're also excellent eating when handled right. The key here in North Carolina is working soft plastics slow around cover. My best advice: throw a Texas-rigged plastic worm tight to structure and let it fall naturally - that's when they usually hammer it.
Micropterus PunctulatusSpotted bass are the scrappy cousins of largemouth, running smaller at 12-20 inches but packing serious attitude. You can tell them apart by the connected dorsal fin and those dark spots along their sides that fade toward the belly. Unlike largemouth that prefer cover, spots gravitate to rocky structure in clear, moving water. They school up more than other bass, so finding one usually means finding several. Spring spawning season is fantastic, but they bite consistently through fall. What makes spots fun is they fight like smallmouth - diving deep and staying down there battling. They're aggressive and will hit most anything in your tackle box. The meat's excellent too. Here's my local secret: fish small crankbaits or jigs around rocky points in 10-15 feet of water. When spots are feeding, they'll crush just about anything that moves through their zone.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the powerhouses of our waters, with those distinctive dark stripes running down silver sides. Most run 20-40 pounds, but giants over 50 exist. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, bridge pilings, and rocky points where current brings baitfish. They prefer water temps between 55-68 degrees, making spring and fall prime time. What draws anglers is the combination of size, fight, and incredible table fare - sweet, meaty fillets that rival any fish. Stripers are nomadic, following schools of herring and shad, so finding bait is key. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll test your drag. My best tip for North Carolina waters: focus on dawn and dusk near current breaks, and use fresh-cut herring or live bait. Watch for bird activity - diving gulls usually mean feeding stripers below.
100 Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC, USA