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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Bank Fishing
3/21/10
On any given day, fishermen line the banks of the fishing area at the McGuire Nuclear Plant. Where there is plenty of room to fish and, at times, lots of fish are caught. Since the water from the power station is very warm, fish feed actively throughout the day. First timers to the area should plan to spend some time watching and talking to those catching fish. Most anglers enjoy sharing their fishing techniques and success stories with you.
A wide variety of fish frequent the discharge channel, including bass, stripers, white perch, sunfish and catfish. Depending on the season, every angler has a special way to fish, but bottom fishing with worms, minnows, cut baits and chicken livers is a popular method. Since the current is swift, sinkers and rigs, similar to those used for surf fishing at the coast, are used to help hold the bait on the bottom.
Bottom fishing isn’t the only way to catch fish. There are times when baitfish are driven to the surface by schools of bass or stripers. That’s a good time to cast artificial lures into the fray. Best bets are Zara Spooks, Rat-L Traps and Red Fins. It seems that the larger the lure, the farther it will cast. However, smaller baits, like buck tails and spoons, are often used when bass are striking on the surface.
One thing for sure, fish bite best when the current is swift. The faster the current, the more active the fish will be. Again, remember, a strong current requires a heavier weight. Also, when water is moving briskly, it’s best to cast up current and allow the bait to bump along the bottom as it drifts back toward you. Fish face into the current while waiting to ambush a meal floating their way.
The McGuire Fishing Area is adjacent to the Explorium at 13339 Hager’s Ferry Rd., Huntersville, NC. (1-800-777-0003). It has a handicap accessible fishing pier, restroom facilities and paved parking. Fishing is allowed Monday thru Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and weekends from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Since the water is swift, both children and adults who don’t swim, should wear personal floatation devices while fishing at the McGuire Fishing Area.
A Free Seminar on “How to Catch Trophy Flathead and Arkansas Blue Catfish while Fishing for White Perch” will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Lake Norman Fishing Guide Mac Byrum and I will conduct the two hour session. For additional information, call 704-658-0822.
**Saturday April 3, 2010, Light House Marine Services will offer a Boater Safety and PWC Class. This course meets the requirements for anyone 25 or younger who wishes to operate a boat on NC waters. Registration fee is $49.00 for the eight-hour session beginning at 9:00 a.m. The class will be held at North Point Watersports, Exit 36 in Mooresville, NC. To register, or for more information, call Capt. Scott Spivey – 704-587-0325 or visit www.lmservice.org.
The 31st Annual Lake Norman Shrine Club - Dogwood Bass Tournament is scheduled for Saturday April 3, 2010, from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm at Midway Marina. First prize for this charity event is $2500oo. For additional information, visit http://www.lakenormanshrineclub.org.
Hot Spot of the Week:
With clearing water and warmer temperatures, the fish and the fishermen are closer to the banks. Pre-spawn bass are staging along drops in ten to fifteen feet of water and stripers are at the same depth at dawn and dusk. Crappie fishing is good to very good in shallow brush with small minnows. For bass and stripers, fish the river channel above Buffalo Shoals, Marshall and McGuire Hot Holes and in Ramsey and Reed Creeks.
The water surface temperature is in the fifties and the lake level is about three and a half feet 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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