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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Lake Norman Fishing Forecast
March 1, 2009
During March, stripers will congregate on shallow flats, long points, clay banks and in the backs of creeks. Shallow fishing means fishing quietly. Approach the intended fishing area slowly and without a boat wake. Any surface disturbance will spook baitfish and stripers. Long casts with shallow running baits, or live baits pulled behind flat lines and planner boards, are the order of the day. Most importantly, use an electric trolling motor. Regardless of whether you fish a point or a flat, remember to fish the deeper water first, and gradually move inward toward shallow water.
Fish that cruise in narrow waters are extremely leery. They venture to the shallows under the cover of darkness, and leave quickly as the morning brightens. For this reason, an early start improves the chance of catching fish. Leaving the dock before sunrise seems early, but reaching your destination and having your line in the water before dawn, could make a big difference in how quickly you might catch the limit.
March is the beginning of the spring fishing season and a great time to be on the water. Expect to catch a mixed bag. This is the time of year when bass, crappie, perch and stripers can be caught along the same banks at similar water depths. Stripers and bass tend to remain shallow most of the day. Try fishing shallow flats at daylight and dark, and fish long points at mid day. When in doubt, fish water depths of less than 15 feet. The warmer the water, the shallower fish will be.
Muddy water tends to absorb heat faster and retain warmth longer than clear water. Baitfish also feel safer in cloudy water. Warm waters, with concentrations of bait, are winning combinations in the spring. Likely places to find stained or dirty water are near the headwaters of major creeks on either side of the Highway 150 Bridge. Reeds, Rocky and Terrapin are popular creeks for striper and bass fishermen in March.
Pulling live baits on flat lines and behind planer boards is a popular technique, and is the best method for catching stripers throughout the spring. However, live baiting, as popular as it may be, is not the only way to entice stripers. Rattle traps, roadrunners, bucktails and redfins are equally effective when used by skilled anglers.
The first stripers to reach the creek banks are the males, known as "bucks”. They come to bulk on food and wait for the egg laden females. Schools of small male stripers in early March, foretell the location of trophy females that tournament anglers relish in April.
Fishing will improve each day as the water warms. Mountain Creek, and the areas upriver near Lookout Shoals, will be productive at month’s end. River fishing consists of a multitude of methods to use, including live or cut bait and artificials. Fishing upriver is best when water current is moving.
Tips From Capt. Gus:
To entice a variety of early spring fish, slowly fish small artificial baits in water less than ten feet. Popular lures to use are roadrunners, bucktails and small silver or gold spoons.
Upcoming Events:
A two hour class held by Lighthouse Marine Services on “How to Navigate Lake Norman Safely” will be at Gander Mountain, Exit 36 at 6:30p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2009. Capt. Gus Gustafson will discuss how to safely navigate the main channel, creek arms, danger spots, and back coves during daylight and at night. Other topics will include navigation and shoal markers, boat ramps, marinas, restaurants & other points of interest. The registration fee for this class is $25.00. To register, call 704.587.0325 or email uscgc17@bellsouth.org.
On Saturday, March 21, 2009, Light House Marine Services will offer a Boater Safety and PWC Class. The registration fee for this eight-hour session at 9:00 a.m. is $49.00. The class will be at North Point Watersports, 112 Doolie Road, Mooresville, NC. To register, or for more information, call Capt. Scott Spivey – 704.587.0325 or visit http://www.lmservice.org
A free seminar on “How to Catch Trophy Flathead Catfish while Fishing for White Perch” will be at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 2009. This two-hour session will be conducted by fishing guide Mac Byrum and myself. For additional information, call 704.658.0822.
Hot Spot of the Week: Striper and bass fishing continues to improve with the warming water temperatures. Best bets are McCrary, Ramsey and Stumpy Creeks. The water surface temperature is in the low fifties and the lake level is 4.0' below full pond.
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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