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  Fishin' With Capt. Gus - How to Improve Your Catch
September 17, 2006
"We never catch fish….what are we doing wrong?" This question is often posed by recreational anglers on Lake Norman. The answer might not be that complicated, since most anglers are doing more right than wrong. By making a few adjustments in technique, results should improve.
Fish when and where the fish are biting.
When: Seasons aside, fish bite best during low light conditions. That means dark of night is prime fishing time, but most anglers would rather fish during the day. That being the case, cast your lure at dawn, dusk, or on days with cloud cover. And remember, the less boat traffic, the better fishing will be.
Where: Bass and crappie ambush prey from the cover of bridge pilings, docks, brush piles, weeds and drops offs. Catfish and stripers roam open water while foraging for food. Cats feed near the bottom. Stripers chase bait throughout the water column. Since bait congregates near drop offs, the edges of creek and river channels are good starting places.
Match the Hatch
"It's easier to feed ‘em, than to trick ‘em." This anonymous quote suggests that native baits (live or fresh dead) attract and catch lots of fish. When not catching fish on artificial lures, switch to natural baits. Live baits, whether wiggly worms or shimmering shiners, emit a scent and a vibration that is difficult to imitate with artificial bait.
Sharp Hooks with Tackle to Match
Heavy tackle dissuades fish from biting. A light to medium action outfit loaded with eight to seventeen pound test line is ideal for most freshwater fishing. Line is designed to stretch, which prevents it from breaking when playing a fish, but it also makes setting the hook in the mouth of a fish more difficult. For this reason, a sharp hook is essential. Discard and replace any hooks that don't feel sharp to the touch.
Tight Lines – Big Net
When a fish hits, keep the line tight. Letting slack in the line usually results in losing the fish. A tight line and a reel drag set at less than fifty percent of the line's breaking strength, should allow the fish to be brought to the net. A long handled net with a large hoop will make this final step easier.
Electronics
Sonar and GPS offer much more than the depth of the water or the way back to the landing. These instruments indicate bait, game fish, stumps, rocks, or the thermocline under the boat. GPS with mapping identifies drop offs and creek channels, and can direct you to a marina. Learn to use electronics and watch your fishing improve.
Up Coming Event:
The Norman Fishery Alliance annual meeting and fish fry will be Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It will be held at the Hook, Line and Sinker, ( formerly Robichaux) 1113 Brawley School Rd. Mooresville, N.C. 28117. Call 704 658 1975 for additional information.
Tips from Capt. Gus!
Always net fish head first. Don't try to sneak up behind them with a net. It doesn't work. They will dart away, and possibly pull the hook or even break the line.
Hot Spots of the week are the humps and points where spotted bass are surface feeding throughout the day. Anglers fishing breaks are catching limits of one and two pound spots. Stripers are hitting baits suspended thirty five to fifty feet deep. Cat fishing continues to be good for those using cut bait. The lake level is 1.6' from full pond and the water surface temperature is in the low 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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