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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ 2007 in Review
January 6, 2008
While low lake levels hindered recreational boating activities during the latter part of 2007, fishing was great, and still is. Fishermen attributed their success to the reduction of water flowing through the lake, which caused fish to hole up for long periods of time in one location. Stripers, spotted bass and white perch have been in the same general areas for months. The lack of water movement made it possible for anglers to return day after day to fill their stringers with fish.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission completed a twelve-month creel survey early this fall. The results from the data will not only have an impact on the annual striped bass stocking in Lake Norman, but could also bring about changes in the size and creel limits of other species of fish. The fishing community is anxiously awaiting information about any new courses of action taken to improve the fishery.
Some may not be aware that the Lake Norman size limit on striped bass was reduced in July from twenty to sixteen inches. The creel limit remains at four stripers per angler, per day.
Low water and the fear of possible groundings took many boaters off the lake as early as August. Even though some boats are still stranded at docks and on lifts, major launch ramps have remained open. Beatties Ford, Little Creek, Long Island, Stumpy Creek, Pinnacle, McCrary and Hager’s are open. Ramsey, Blythe and the Lake Norman State Park ramps are currently closed.
Congratulations to the Marine Commission for making positive improvements in a timely manner to maintain more than one hundred-fifty markers and buoys that help boaters safely navigate Lake Norman. This is the first January in memory to have every red and green channel marker functioning and in its proper position.
While attendance at safety classes improved in 2007, it is estimated that less than twenty-five percent of all boaters have ever taken a course of any kind. Light House Marine Services and other boating organizations will be posting their 2008 schedules shortly. Please enroll yourself and all family members in a course this year.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Before you discard an old cast net, remove the weights to use when drift fishing or down lining. Weights can also be melted down to make lead-head jigs, as well as a variety of fishing weights.
Upcoming Events:
A free Striper Fishing seminar is scheduled at Gander Mountain, Exit 36 Mooresville, NC on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 6:30 PM. This 90-minute session will be presented by Lake Norman fishing guides, Capt. Craig Price and Capt. Gus Gustafson. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.
Mitchell Community College in Mooresville has scheduled a fishing class covering advanced techniques for catching bass, stripers and catfish. The class will be on Tuesday nights, January 22 and 29, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. For more information, call 704 663 1923.
The Lake Norman Striper Swipers’ – Open Winter Classic Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2008. Guaranteed first place prize is $1500. The biggest one-day striper fishing event of the season will be at Midway Marina, located at the Highway 150 Bridge near Terrill, NC. For more information, visit http://www.lnssfishn.com/ or call Tommy Messick at 704-634-6410.
Hot Spots of the week: Striper fishing has been good to very good on both sides of the Highway 150 Bridge. Active schools are reported in Stumpy, Hicks and Hager Creeks. Bass, along with a few stripers, are hitting the surface on most mornings. Perch are taking minnows, cut-bait and jigging spoons at depths from twenty to thirty feet.
The lake level is 93.6 or 6.4’ below full pond. The surface water temperature is in the mid fifties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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