Last week three N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologists — Jeremy McCargo, Katy Potoka and Kevin Dockendorf — conducted an electroshocking excursion, starting at Weldon. They zapped 541 rockfish, including the biggest striper they’ve ever electroshocked, a female that was 37 ½ in ches long and weighed 59 ½ pounds
“Fishing activity at Weldon was heavy (May 6),” Dockendorf said. “Many boats were fishing the normal spots from the boat ramp to just below the Big Rock.
“We observed numerous anglers hooked up with stripers throughout the day. Angler reports indicated fishing was excellent all day long. Fishing activity was light near Gaston by Thursday.” Commission clerks took creel surveys from fishermen taking out at the Weldon ramp.
“Our creel clerks interviewed more than 100 boating parties … and release estimates of 100 striped bass were commonly reported by nearly every party, often in relatively short periods of time,” Dockendorf said. “Anglers were catching all size ranges of fish and enjoying the opportunity to fish such a tremendous resource.”
