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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Rocks in the Road
September 6, 2007
If you haven't been on Lake Norman recently, you might not recognize it. Low water has made boat launching tricky and navigation more difficult. Several county boat ramps at the lower end of the lake are closed and others will shut down if the water drops a few more inches. Channel marker signs are protruding higher than normal and the islands that dot the lake are larger than they were the last time you visited them. Uncovered shoals are everywhere. Some, never seen by the occasional summer boater, are making navigation a challenge.
There is, however, is a positive side to a lower than normal water level if you like to explore and see what has been uncovered by drought conditions. Low water provides anglers with a window of opportunity to find new fishing holes without a depth finder or underwater camera. All one has to do is roam the lake and look for shoals, rocks, stump fields and other interesting uncovered areas.
Finding a new spot is simple when the lake is low. Relocating it when the water covers it again, is the hard part. A serious angler will mark the newly discovered spot on a waterproof topo map and will also identify its exact location with a waypoint on a GPS unit. Some will write a note about the spot and identify it with the waypoint number. Better yet, take a few pictures so the details can be recalled when the water covers the spot again.
Anglers new to bass fishing will be amazed at the number of exposed stump fields, brush piles and natural rock formations. An astute angler will also note lone stumps and rocks on otherwise barren flats. These isolated obstructions are magnets for fish at certain times of the year. Crappie fishermen will find it exciting to see docks laced with Christmas trees and other woody debris. Each newly discovered place can be an excellent spot for a lunker bass or a school of spots or crappie next spring. Boaters should also note any obstructions protruding from the bottom in areas where they normally pull tubers, skiers and wake boarders.
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 members to attend this fun filled event.
The 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. To register call Clyde Starr at 704 947 2729.
Mitchell Community College, in Mooresville, NC is offering a Continuing Education Class entitled "Understanding GPS and Fish Finders." This four hour course conducted by Capt. Gus Gustafson and crew, will be on two consecutive Wednesday nights beginning October 10, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 704 663 1923.
Hot Spots of the Week: The past week, striper fishing was very good to excellent. Bass continue to be active in spite of the hot water temperatures. Look for stripers on drop offs, suspended thirty five to fifty feet below the surface. When located, tempt them with jigging spoons, bucktails and fresh cut bait. The lake level is 5.6' below full pond and the surface water temperature is in the high eighties..
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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