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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Frequently Asked Fishing Questions
July 12, 2009
Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions concerning Lake Norman:
Where are the best places to fish from a boat on Lake Norman?
• That depends on the season of the year and the species of fish you are after. As a rule, the islands adjacent to, and just north of the state park in the main river channel, produce lots of fish. Reed and Davidson Creeks at the lower end of the lake are also popular fishing areas. The hot holes yield bass year round and stripers, perch and cats are caught there in the winter. Other good bets are the bridges that crisscross the river and creek channels.
What are the best live baits to use?
• Again, it depends on the species you are targeting. Bass eat medium size shiners, shad, herring and bream. Stripers prefer larger shad, herring and shiners, along with five to twelve inch trout, bream and white perch. Flathead catfish feast on white perch, bream and channel cats like night crawlers, and blue cats like gold fish, black salty’s and shad. Crappie eat small minnows, and bream (sunfish) munch on crickets and worms.
What are the best artificial lures for catching bass?
• Soft plastics - worms, lizards and flukes
• Buzz and spinner baits
• Shad Rap (#5)
What are the best colors to use for artificial lures?
• Chartreuse, grey, silver, blue, black, crayfish and pumpkin seed are all good colors.
Which birds make their nests on shoal and channel markers? Are they eagles?
• The nesting birds are ospreys, not eagles. They are members of the hawk family, commonly known as “fish hawks” since their primary diet is fish. Because of their large wingspan, they are often mistaken for the much larger eagle.
Is it true that catfish as big as stretch limousines swim near the dam?
• Probably not! The largest catfish ever taken from Lake Norman weighed eighty-five pounds – a far cry from a four-thousand pound limo!
When is the best time to fish in the summer?
• Fish when the air temperature is the coolest and the hot sun is not shining on the water. That usually means fishing is best between dusk and dawn, or on cloudy days. July and August are great months to fish after dark, particularly around bridges, lighted boat docks and in the river channel at Cowan’s Ford Dam.
Why are there so many bass tournaments on Lake Norman?
• Because fishing for largemouth and spotted bass is the best it has been in decades. It is common for tournament anglers to limit out early in the morning, and spend the rest of the day culling the smaller fish and replacing them with larger ones.
Are white perch good to eat?
• You bet! Their tender white meat is delicious when battered and deep fried.
Tips from Capt. Gus!
Goldfish and black salty's live better than other baits in the summer heat. They are available at area tackle shops, and are excellent live baits for stripers and catfish.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, July 18, 2009, Light House Marine Services will offer a State and NASBLA approved Boater Safety and PWC Class. Registration fee is $49.00 for the eight-hour session beginning at 9:00 a.m. The class will be at The Peninsula Yacht Club, in Cornelius, NC. Graduates will receive an approved picture ID certificate of completion and may also lower their boat insurance rates. To register, or for more information, call Capt. Scott Spivey – 704 587 0325 or visit www.lmservice.org.
A free fishing seminar is scheduled at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC on Thursday, July 23, 2009 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Frequently asked questions about catching bass, crappie, perch, stripers and catfish on Lake Norman will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to bring their fish questions to this informative session. The Q & A will be conducted by Jake Bussolini, author of several “how to” fishing books, and myself. For additional information call 704-658-0822.
Hot Spots of the week:
The deeper sections of water near the dam are holding stripers and catfish. Night fishing is best, but if you can’t stay out all night, get an early start. The water temperature is in the upper eighties and the water level is 2.3' 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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