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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Spring Boating and Fishing
April 6, 2008
Lake Norman is back to its normal level for spring and the weather is great. Put your boat in the water and enjoy! There is no better time to be out there than when spring is showing its fresh new colors. You’ll be impressed by the bright green grass and the budding trees, bushes and new growth sprouting along the shoreline. The pink and white dogwood blooms are especially beautiful this season.
Find a quiet section of lake and SLOW the boat to a crawl so everyone aboard can enjoy the wonders of nature. At the same time, why not drag a few fishing lines? LOTS of fish are likely to hit artificial lures pulled fifty feet or so behind the boat.
While cruising the banks, watch for wildlife. Squirrels can be seen scampering along the ground or playfully jumping from branch to branch. Ducks and geese are swimming in pairs and turtles are sunning on logs along the bank. The sky is busy with many types of birds. It’s not uncommon to see an osprey circling its prey, a blue heron flying with its neck tucked in, or flocks of turkey buzzards gliding in the thermal air currents. If you’re really fortunate, you might see a bald eagle (white head and tail). There have been several eagle sightings in recent months.
The far ends of coves are filled with bass, carp and garfish preparing to spawn. Some carp are over twenty pounds and garfish grow to over three feet in length. It helps to see them if you wear polarized sun glasses.
Blue Heron are plentiful, but hard to see because they stand very still and blend in well with the surroundings. The best place to see them is at Blue Heron Island, the smaller of the two islands between markers D4 and D6, where dozens of mating pairs set up housekeeping and raise their chicks each spring. The island is a hub of activity with the males bringing nest building materials and food to the island throughout the day, while the female protects the young. Since the island is off limits this time of year, it is best to view the birds with binoculars.
Don’t forget the suntan lotion and the camera!
Tips from Capt. Gus:
The Lake Norman State Park, only a few miles north of the Highway 150 Bridge, offers the best view of spring colors and wildlife. Its natural beauty and calm coves make it an ideal place to spend a spring afternoon.
Upcoming Events:
”Night Fishing on Lake Norman” - Mitchell Community College, Mooresville, NC, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 – 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Capt. Gus will discuss how to use scented baits, lights and other techniques to attract fish off docks and boats after dark. 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.ncstriper.us/
“Introduction to Bass Fishing” - This free seminar will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36 in Mooresville, NC beginning at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday April 23, 2008. Call 704 658 0822 for additional information.
The Hot Spots of the Week:
Boat docks are holding bass, while stripers are feeding near shallow points and underwater humps. Both bass and stripers are hitting bait schools on the surface in quiet coves at dawn and dusk. The ends of coves are also producing good catches.
The water level is currently 2.0' below full pond and dingy in spots. Surface temperature is in the upper fifties and low sixties.
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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