We expect river conditions to remain stable and adequate. That’s really all the bass need to rebound.

“Salt water intrusion can be a problem in these rivers, but so far we don’t see any evidence that it’s happening. Even if it is, I’d say the effects are negligible and won’t have any effect on the bass recovery.”

These rivers can be hard to fish, however. Most successful anglers fish the creeks, tributaries and inflows during the spring and fall. Target laydowns, stumps and any forms of cover that offer the bass a suitable place to spawn. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs all produce their fair share of river largemouths. At times, a Carolina-rigged plastic dragged along the first drop off the bank is effective.

In the summer and winter, concentrate your efforts out in the main river. Look for deeper holes and any cover or structure you can find along the main-river channel. But remember, you’re hunting river bass: In most cases, they have little choice but to inhabit shallow water. They don’t go deep like their relatives in lakes and reservoirs. They can’t.

The exception that was referred to by McCargo is Phelps Lake. It’s a natural body of water, covers about 16,000 acres, and offers anglers the highest number of bass per acre of any body of water on the coast.

Phelps Lake defines tough fishing, however. It’s shallow with an average depth of 4 feet. The deepest water is only 7 feet. Maybe worse, at least for anglers, is that the water is gin clear. Regardless of these problems, it’s well worth a trip.

McCargo’s enthusiasm for this lake is obvious. “At one time, Phelps was very popular with local anglers, but then for some reason interest fell off. It’s not fished very hard anymore. That can be a real advantage. The numbers are extraordinary. If an angler hits it right, he or she can catch scores of largemouths in a day.”

Small baits and a gentle approach are required here. Try light spinning tackle and toss the smallest, lightest lures you can. Go fishing on Phelps during poor weather whenever possible. It helps to conceal your activities from the fish. Overall, the 2008 largemouth bass fishing forecast looks pretty good for North Carolina. Pick a place within easy traveling distance and wet your line. It’s an opportunity you shouldn’t let pass you by.

And keep in mind that largemouths -- unlike smallmouths and spotted bass -- do very well in farm ponds, borrow pits and other small waters. Don’t neglect the water hole behind your house in search of some faraway, exotic place where you think the bass are plentiful, big and are always biting.