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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! - How to Use Your Big Boy Toys
January 14, 2007
Now that you've had time to read the instruction manuals that came with your big boy Christmas toys, here are a few suggestions.
New Boat - If you were fortunate enough to receive a boat for Christmas, congratulations! That's quite a gift! The next step is to learn how to trailer, dock and navigate it. Experience takes time, but is the best teacher.
The learning process can be jump started by taking advantage of on-the-water instructions provided by the boat dealer. Seek additional hands-on training from friends familiar with operating a boat in the waters you will be cruising. If you still lack the confidence to go it alone, hire a Licensed Captain to teach you the ropes. Finally, and most importantly, enroll the entire family in a basic boater safety course. There are several such programs scheduled throughout the year. For more information, contact the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (704 662 9304), the Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron (704 996 7504), or Lighthouse Marine Services (704 587 0325).
Sonar/GPS – Determining which buttons to push and how to interpret the readings on a sonar or GPS screen can be difficult and confusing. My advice is to have the unit professionally installed and study the manual. Read the instructions several times, but don't try to memorize them.
Once the installation is complete, turn the unit on and watch the display screen change as you press various key pad buttons. Most units have a simulator mode that allows you to become familiar with the unit without disturbing the factory settings. As you become more comfortable with the unit's operation, you will find it easier to delve deeper into its functions. Manufacturers, including Lowrance, Garmin and Hummingbird, provide simulator programs on line, an easy way to learn and explore, when not on the boat. Newcomers to marine electronics should be satisfied if they learn one or two functions from each session. The more time spent working with the unit, the higher your comfort level. Technical assistance is available during normal working hours by calling the toll free number in the instruction manual.
Underwater Video Camera - A new world awaits those who received a big boy's underwater camera. The problem with cameras is that the angler spends more time playing with it than fishing! After reading the manual, carefully lower the camera to the desired water depth. Don't be surprised with what you see or don't see. The camera is best used to view underwater structure, particularly when fishing new water. More expensive units will clearly show rocks, stumps, brush and other submerged objects, including fish. Leave the fish finding to your sonar unit and the bait on your line.
Bait Tank - Bait tanks are quite expensive, but are far better than trying to keep shad and herring alive in a boat's built-in live well. Ten to fifty gallon oval tanks are used by area striper fishermen to keep baits lively for long periods of time. Fragile forage fish will live for days in a properly maintained re-circulating bait tank. Best results are achieved when lake or well water is used. Don't use city water since it contains chemicals that will kill most bait. Once you have filled the tank, turn on the pump and adjust the air/water flow valve until you see a steady stream of very small bubbles. Next, add salt. How much is debatable. Begin with a half pound for each ten gallons of water. Salt calms and soothes stressed baits. Clean the filter and replace a third of the water each time the water becomes dirty.
Upcoming Events:
On January 17, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., join Captain Gus Gustafson at the Bass Pro Shops, Concord Mills Mall, to learn how to catch white perch from Lake Norman. For fast action and good eating, the schooling white perch is hard to beat. Capt. Gus will show proven methods to make your next trip the best ever. This 90 minute seminar is free and open to the public. Call 704-979-2200 for more information.
The Lake Norman Striper Swipers Open Winter Classic Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2007. Guaranteed first place prize is $1500. This biggest one day striper fishing event of the season will be at Queen's Landing, Highway 150 in Mooresville, NC. For more information, visit http://www.lnssfishn.com/ or call Tommy Messick at 704-634-6410.
Striped Bass/Catfish Seminar - Lake Norman fishing guides Capt. Craig Price and Mac Byrum will conduct an upcoming seminar on "How to Catch LKN Stripers and Catfish." The event will be at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC on Saturday, February 3, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. This 90 minute discussion is free and open to the public. Call 704 658 0827 for more information.
Bass & Stripers on Artificials: Seminar - February 13, 2007
Join bass angler Bobby Derrick and Capt.Gus Gustafson for an informative seminar on how to catch bass and stripers on artificial lures. This 90 minute class is free and open to the pubic. It begins at 6:30pm in the upstairs meeting area of the Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills Mall. Call 704-979-2200 for more information.
Tips from Capt.Gus - Wire your electronic units to a battery other than the one used to start the boat engine. By connecting to a separate battery, electrical interference will be reduced and the unit will not shut down while the engine is being started.
The Hot Spot of the week is Mountain Creek. Stripers are hitting live baits on the surface at daylight, and baits fished fifteen to thirty feet below the surface throughout the day.
Striper and bass fishing has been good to very good. The lake level is 98.6 or 1.4' below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the low 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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