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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Spring Fishing Tips
March 30, 2008
Spring has “sprung” and the fish are anxious! Like many Piedmont residents, it may have been a long time since you wet a line. Hopefully, these tips will help make your first fishing trip of the new season a productive one.
Get an early start. Sunrise signals the first inning of a fishing day. Fish are particularly active from dawn until an hour or so after sunrise.
Ice, gas and bait: Plan to be on the lake at first light. Load the boat with gas, ice, bait and tackle the night before. Don’t forget to set the clock.
Sun glasses: Polarized glasses reduce the glare and make it easier to see through the water.
Artificial Baits: Swimming lures that imitate the look and action of shad – Shad Raps, Rapalas, Rattle Traps and Redfins are popular with bass and striper anglers. Soft plastic worms and lizard look-a-likes are preferred when fish are deep and feeding near the bottom.
Live minnows: Minnows are particularly effective during the spring. They swim naturally when hooked through the nose or lips. To keep them lively, a battery-operated aerator is recommended.
Hooks, sinkers and bobbers: Match the size of the terminal tackle to the size of the bait for the type of fish you target. When fishing slows, downsize bait, hooks, sinkers and bobbers.
Casting: Spring is a good time to re-spool reels with new line. A 6’ to 7’ medium action spinning rod and reel combination, loaded with eight pound test line is perfect for most fishing on Piedmont lakes. Optimum performance is achieved when the spinning reel is filled to within 1/8th of an inch from the lip of the spool.
Best places to fish: Boat docks are preferred for most species of fish on Lake Norman. Other prime targets include bridge pilings, downed trees, brush piles, channel markers and points of land.
Nets: Be sure to have a landing net on board. Place the net in the water and lead the fish into it head first.
Camera: Don’t forget to take a camera and share the pictures with those who didn’t go with you.
Upcoming Events:
Safe Boating Class - Saturday - April 5, 2008 - Lighthouse Marine Service is having a Boater Safety Class from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. The cost is $49.95 per person with pre-registration. Call 704 587 0325 or visit www.lmservice.org for additional information.
“Night Fishing on Lake Norman” - Mitchell College, Mooresville, NC, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Capt. Gus will discuss how to use scented baits, lights and other techniques to attract fish after dark off boats and docks. The fee for this two-hour session is $25. Call 704 663 1923 to pre-register.
Safe Boating Class - Thursday- April 17, 2008 - Lighthouse Marine Services is conducting a “How to use GPS, Sonar and Radar to Navigate and Fish on Lake Norman”. This three hour class at 6:00 p.m. will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. The cost is $25 per person with pre-registration. Call 704 587 0325 or visit www.lmservice.org for additional information.
The Lake Norman Striper Swipers’ Spring Classic fishing tournament is planned for April 19, 20, 2008. This two-day event begins at 6:00 a.m. Saturday and continues until the weigh-in at 1:00 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit the LNSS web site at www.lnssfishn.com
“Introduction to Bass Fishing” - Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 – 6:30 p.m. Call 704 658 0822 for additional information on this free seminar.
Tips from Gus:
Small bobbers mean more fish. Larger bobbers are easier to cast and see, but are more difficult for small or medium size fish to tug on. In fact, if a fish detects too much resistance, it might drop the bait before swallowing it.
The Hot Spots of the Week:
Warmer, rising lake waters have bass and stripers close to shore and into the backs of coves and creek runs. Bass are hitting near boat docks. Stripers are chasing schools of bait farther from shore. The water level is currently 2.0' below full pond and dingy in spots. Surface temperature is in the mid to upper 50’s.
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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