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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Hot Weather Fishing Fun
June 23, 2007
School is out and vacation time is here so take the family summer fishing for bass, catfish and pan fish on Lake Norman. Lots of fish can be caught on most mornings with live and fresh cut baits. The secret to warm weather family fishing success is to have these baits and to go early.
Fish feed in shallow water even in the summer. It doesn't matter if you fish from the bank, a dock or a boat. Just cast to a likely spot along the shore line and expect a tug on the end of your line. The bite could come from anything that swims, depending on the bait you use.
Worms and minnows are popular live baits for occasional anglers to use. They are easy to obtain and to use and keep alive. Worms are sold at convenience stores and area tackle shops, or you can dig your own from a flower bed or garden. The small red wiggler is best for pan fish. Larger night crawlers attract bass and catfish. Worms can be fished on bottom or suspended below the surface from a float. Regardless of the presentation, it is not necessary to use a whole worm. A pinch or small section on a hook is all that's needed to get a bite. Using the whole worm often results in lots of nibbles and short strikes, but few hook ups.
Minnows and shiners can be purchased at many of the same locations. Baitfish, alive or dead, will attract a variety of fish. Bass and crappie prefer live baits, while perch and catfish will hit them dead or alive. The key is to hook the bait in such a way that it swims naturally. To achieve the natural look, hook them through the lips, nostrils or just behind the dorsal fin.
Remember to match the hook to the size of the bait you are using, not to the size of the fish you are attempting to catch. Start with small baits and hooks. This combination will attract both big and small swimmers. Large baits tend to dissuade small fish because their mouths aren't large enough to inhale them.
Light weight opened or closed face spinning outfits are perfect for live bait fishing. The push button closed faced version is great for youngsters. The opened face counterpart is the most widely used of all fishing reels. Match either reel with a six foot light action rod and a six to ten pound test line and you are ready to cast.
Try fishing around piers, docks, blow downs or submerged brush. Fish live baits slowly. Allow the bait to settle in the water and wait for a tug. Be patient. The fish will be attracted to the wiggle, scent and flash of the bait. If a bite doesn't occur within a few minutes, move the bait a few feet or recast to another likely spot. When a hit occurs, begin reeling and enjoy the fight. Once the fish is landed, don't forget to take pictures for your family album.
Tips from Capt. Gus! - Keep worms in the shade or in a cool location. An ice chest or refrigerator will allow crawlers or wigglers to remain lively for extended periods of time.
Hot Spots of the Week are deep coves where white perch are gathering in large schools. They are easy to locate with a fish finder or by drifting small suspended baits. Once found, large numbers can be caught on minnows, shad, worms and small spoons.
Cat fishing continues to improve as water temperatures increase. Bass fishing is good to very good. Soft plastics and jerk baits are lures of choice on most days. Stripers have moved to deeper channels. Troll for them with deep divers or down line live baits.
The lake level is 3.3' below full pond and the water temperature is in the eighties.
Upcoming Events:
A free ninety minute cat fish seminar will be on July 14, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lodge of Gander Mountain, Exit 36, in Mooresville, NC. Fishing guide Robert Tomasek and Mac Byrum will describe methods used to catch trophy Arkansas Blue and Fathead catfish.
Light House Marine Services will conduct a safe boating class at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. July 21, 2007. Register and pay for this eight hour course at http://www.lmservice.org or call 704-361-2991 for additional information.
Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron has a one day "Boating Safety Class" scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Denver Volunteer Fire Dept., 3956 N. Highway 16, Denver, NC. from 8:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. Class fee is $25.00 (includes all class materials). Call Lou Schwartz at 704-896-7219 to register or visit www.usps.org/localusps/lakenorman for additional information.
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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