James Waters at Bob’s Fishing Hole reports the water was holding at around 80 degrees by the middle of September on the Northwest River. He anticipates water temperatures in the low 70s to upper 60s this months.
Bass fishing was up and down for September with one tournament team bringing a nearly 20+-pound limit to the Bob’s scales, while many others managed 12-14 lbs.
The September 9 bass tournament out of Bob’s drew 15 boats, 27 anglers and produced 10 limits. When all fish were weighed a familiar beard and his partner won. Keith Lynch and Curtis Poggenpohl won with 19.17 pounds.
Waters says for an October visit anglers should continue pitching soft plastics to shady shoreline structure but also be onthe lookout for schooled bass busting baitfish. Baits like a Senko, the ZOOM UltraVibe Speed Craw and the Reaction Innovation Sweet Beaver are popular for the pitching. Soft plastic jerkbaits, squarebills and spinnerbaits and good for schooling bass.
Bob’s Fishing Hole is located on Rt. 168 (Chesapeake Expressway) on the way to the Outer Banks. It offers anglers access not only to the great fishing on the Northwest River but also to Back Bay.
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 minutes from Sandbridge.
Back Bay bass will remain in weedy, oxygen-rich bays and “ponds” for most of this month where anglers can target them using weedless lures like Johnson silver spoons and swimbaits. When the grass begins to turn brown, it’s time to look for bass in the creeks dumping into Back Bay.
North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages is a great place to use as a family basecamp for Back Bay fishing. The resort is first class, has its own ramp and is nearby two others and about 20 minutes from Bob’s Fishing Hole. Book a two bedroom cottage and settle in for a few days of great fishing.
Capt. David Ward of Backwater Adventures guide service guides on North Carlolina’s North River, Kitty Hawk Bay and on northeastern North Carolina Rivers.
Ward say water temps will be in the 80’s falling to the 70’s mercifully by the end of this month. Ward will be guiding with topwater in the mornings; poppers and single spin props on those really calm mornings.
Soft plastic stick worms fished weighted or weightless and soft jerkbaits will put fish in the boat. Pitching to wood cover with any creature bait or craw will also produce. Don’t forget to to throw your favorite squarebill in a shad pattern around as big schools of shad should be in all the rivers.
