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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Spring Fever
February 22, 2009
Wind, sunlight and water temperatures are key elements in locating fish during the pre-spawning season. Stiff breezes cause baits to collect on wind swept shorelines and on points with rough water. The turbulent waters disorient bait pods and make them easy prey for marauding hoards of hungry predator fish.
It isn't easy to maneuver a boat and cast when conditions are rough. But, quick creel limits and a smorgasbord of fish are great rewards for the effort. Anglers might be surprised to hook a spotted bass on one cast, a striper on the next, and a largemouth on another. This happens often when wind concentrates bait, and fish of various species join with others to enjoy the buffet.
Large bays and coves with a southern exposure to the sun, will warm faster than other areas. Pre-spawn activity begins in these warm waters. Banks facing other directions will be the last areas for spawning activity to occur.
When water temperatures reach the 50’s bank fishing improves dramatically. White perch are the first to arrive. They begin to spawn when temperatures reach 52̊. Crappie, stripers and bass will follow. By March, most lake species will be in the shallows preparing to breed, actually spawning, or will be there to eat the eggs, fry and fingerlings of other fish.
Bass fishermen will find warm water along sunny banks and around the hundreds of private boat ramps and docks on Lake Norman. The water surrounding docks with black floatation will be warmer than the docks with the white Styrofoam flotation material. Even one or two degrees can make a difference in the early days of the pre-spawning period.
Ramsey and McCrary Creeks are popular in late February and March. These waters warm first because of their proximity to the hot water discharges from the power plants. Ramsey Creek is a major breeding ground for spotted and largemouth bass. Fish are attracted, not only to the warm water, but to the sandy banks preferred by bedding bass. Miles of sandy banks stretch from Blythe Landing, the popular launch site off Highway 73, to Midtown Sundries.
Since striped bass are more tolerant of water conditions, they will be found in more diverse areas. Look for them on and around long shallow points and near the red clay banks of Reeds, Mountain and Stumpy Creeks. This is a great time to cast redfins, roadrunners and bucktail jigs to shallow swimming stripers.
Tips From Capt. Gus:
Spring bass are sluggish this time of year. Fish slowly, down size baits and tackle, and make several casts to a likely spot.
Upcoming Events:
A free seminar on “How to Catch LKN Striped Bass” will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, in Mooresville, NC at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2009. This two-hour session will be conducted by fishing guide Capt. Craig Price and myself. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.
The first ABC safe boating course of 2009 will be held by the Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron on February 28 at the Duke Energy Explorium, 13339 Hager's Ferry Road Huntersville, NC. The class is from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The $45.00 fee includes lunch and all class materials. Contact Richard Todd (704 662 3647), or e-mail him at Goneboatinto@roadrunner.com
Hot Spot of the Week:
With the warming waters, bass, striper and perch fishing continues to improve at the McGuire hot hole and around submerged brush, bridge pilings, and near blow downs on deep sunny banks. The lake level is 95.9 or down 4.1’ from full pond. Water surface temperatures are in the low fifties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and 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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