|
|
  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ September Expectations
August 30, 2007
Northerly winds will bring cooler weather in mid to late September. With the chilling effect of the wind and fewer hours of sunlight, surface water temperatures will drop into the seventies by the end of the month. Lower water temperatures bring relief to the Lake Norman stripers that survived the summer heat. Fish become active again and will roam the water column in search of feeder fish.
Pre-fall is an exciting time to fish for stripers and bass. Schools of shad and herring are chased to the surface where they actually jump out of the water to elude the summer starved stripers. If conditions are right, the famished predators will feed on the surface for extended periods of time, but usually the activity subsides just after sunrise on sunny days. Spotted bass often join stripers during these feeding frenzies. When hooked, their explosive surface jumps add a new dimension of excitement.
Prime ambush places in early fall are long shallow points and underwater humps adjacent to deep channel runs. Anglers fishing for breaking fish should arm themselves with terminal tackle heavy enough to toss long distances. A seven foot spinning rod with ten pound test monofilament line is ideal for long casts. Baits of choice are spoons, top water poppers, Rat ‘L' Traps, bucktails and flukes. Popular colors are grey and silver which resemble the markings of the feeder fish, primarily shad and herring.
When a surface feeding school of stripers sounds, don't be fooled by thinking the bite is over. A glance at the sonar unit will usually confirm the school is below the boat. At this time, switch from top water lures to jigging spoons or bucktails and work at the depth where the fish were noted.
Fishing activity occurs at different depths.While stripers might feed deep, crappie, perch and catfish will move into water less than ten feet deep. As with stripers, look for increased feeding activity as the month ends and water temperatures cool.
Tips from Capt. Gus!
September is also a great time to enjoy saltwater fishing for flounder, red drum, trout and stripers. This is the first year that a saltwater license has been required and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission urges beach-bound anglers to purchase their Coastal Recreational Fishing License before leaving home. License can be purchased by:
*Calling the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1 (888) 248-6834). Hours of operation are: 8a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
* The Wildlife Resources Commission Web site is http://www.ncwildlife.org
* Wildlife Service Agents are located at bait-and-tackle shops, hunting and sporting good stores and larger chain stores.
A CRFL is required for anyone 16 years and older who fishes recreationally in the state's coastal fishing waters. These waters include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries to three miles out into the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish from three miles to 200 miles offshore also need this license in order to transport fish back to shore.
Upcoming Events:
The Norman Fishery Alliance will hold its annual meeting and fish fry on Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the parking lot of Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. The NFA encourages members and prospective new members to attend.
Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron has scheduled an ABC Safe Boating Class on Saturday, September 22, 2007 (originally scheduled for Sept. 15, 2007) from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The class will be at the Mt. Mourne VFD, Highway 115 in Mt. Mourne, NC. Cost is $35.00 and includes all materials. Call Clyde Starr at 704 947 2729 to register.
Mitchell Community College, in Mooresville, NC is offering a Continuing Education Class entitled Understanding GPS and Fish Finders. This four hour course will be conducted by Capt. Gus Gustafson and crew on two consecutive Wednesdays beginning on October 10, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 704 663 1923.
Hot Spot of the Week: Stripers continue to suspend along the edges of drop offs at creek and river channels. The most action has been in the channels between Markers 7, 3, D1 and D2. Keeping bait alive has been difficult when fished deep, so trolling and deep jigging have been the most productive methods of fishing. Cat fishing has been very good to excellent according to cat fish guide Mac Byrum. Mac reports catches of many three to six pounders with an occasional trophy size flathead or blue.
The lake level is 94.5 or 5.5' below full pond and the surface water temperature is in the high eighties and low nineties.
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
|
|
|
|
|
