Bob’s Fishing Hole spokesman James Waters notes spring tournament bass fishing on the Northwest River is in full swing.
Water temperatures varied from 65-70 degrees at the end of April – bit warmer than usual for this time of year. Many bass have already spawned.
Anglers are now using soft plastic stickbaits, creature baits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and Chatterbaits on wood. Fish spawn just inside the mouths of little creeks, in protected main river pockets and especially in canals here.
For a May visit Waters says to stop in and he’ll give you some tips on where to try fishing. This is mostly a shallow water fishery so don’t make it too complicated. Enjoy the spring pattern and cover a lot of water from Bob’s on down to Tull’s Creek.
Stop by Bob’s and shop an incredible selection of baits or bring your own. The tackle shop here is amazing. You’ll find bladed jig lures, shallow diving crankbaits, creature baits like a ZOOM Ultra Vibe Speed Craw, frogs of all kinds, Senko and YUM Dingers, Johnson Silver spoons and much more.
The North Landing River also offers good bass fishing. Anglers will want to explore and fish Pocaty Creek, Milldam, Blackwater and West Neck Creeks. You can launch into the North Landing River out of the Pungo Ferry Park ramp.
North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages is a great place to use as headquarters for a visit to fish the Northwest, North and middle Back Bay region. There are one bedroom and two bedroom cottages available and anglers are welcomed.
North Bay Shore Campground is headquarters for North Bay or the upper portion of Back Back behind Sandbridge. North Bay Shore Campground welcomes anglers and has cabins and a bath house for overnight stays. A canal runs right behind the cabins, so you can keep your boat in the water and you are 10 minutes from Sandbridge restaurants!
The crappie fishing is outstanding now in the protected canals and creeks around North Bay. You can even catch them in the canals around the cabins and boat ramp.
Backwater Adventures guide David Ward says water temps will continue to rise to the upper 70’s and higher if warmer weather becomes the trend this month. Spawning in the rivers will continue through May, slowing down as the month comes to an end. Topwater will be good all month with moving topwater baits such as frogs, ploppers, and buzzbaits becoming the go to over the more stationary topwaters. As the water warms the soft plastic bite will start to take over after the sun gets up. Soft stick baits fished Texas-rigged, weightless, and wacky produce.
