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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Do’s and Don’ts for Low water Boating
October 11, 2007
Much has been written lately about the extreme drought and low water conditions on area lakes. Below are some do's and don'ts to help make your next Fall boating experience safer:
Do run the middle of the channel, not the edge.
Don't take high water short cuts. Stay in marked channels.
Do stay between the red and green markers.
Don't pass between red and white or green and white markers.
Do get out of your vehicle and visually check the boat ramp before backing the trailer into the water.
Don't allow the trailer wheels to drop off the end of the ramp.
Do leave the dock or ramp with the out drive (motor) tilted up until you reach safe deep water.
Don't approach a dock at any speed greater than you are willing to hit it.
Do have a current lake map aboard your vessel.
Don't run aground before referring to the map!
Do operate your vessel only in familiar waters until lake levels return to normal.
Don't venture far from port after dark unless you are certain that you know the return course.
Do watch for dark spots, brown water, unusual wave patterns or objects protruding from the surface of the water.
Don’t assume the water is deep enough to pass unless you are in a marked channel. Even than when in doubt slow to no wake speed and proceed with caution
Do run with the depth finder and/or GPS navigation systems on.
Don't assume that the water is deep enough just because you traveled the same area last fall.
Do have a list of phone numbers to call in case your vessel runs aground or breaks down.
Don't assume that all groundings occur at night. An unassuming boater can hit bottom at any time.
Do have a spare prop and the tools to make the switch in case the original is damaged.
Don't forget to have a long tow line on board.
Do attend a safe boating class. Learn to interpret the Aids to Navigation and the boating Rules of the Road.
Don't forget to enroll the entire family. Each family member will operate the vessel at one time or another.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Captain Alan Stopko is conducting a seminar entitled “Boating on Lake Norman.” The three-hour session will be at the Peninsula Yacht Club on Saturday, October 20, 2007 beginning at 9:00 a.m. To register, call 704-895-6993.
Mitchell Community College in Mooresville, NC is offering a Continuing Education Class entitled "Fishing 101." This six-hour course, conducted by Capt. Gus Gustafson and crew, will be held on three consecutive Wednesday nights beginning October 24, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 704-663-1923.
The Norman Fishery Alliance (NFA) monthly striper tournament begins Sunday, November 11, 2007. Registration at Midway Marina begins at 5:30 a.m. with lines in the water at 6:00 a.m. The entry fee for this big striper tournament is $100. The weigh-in will be before 3:00 p.m. at Queen’s Landing. This event will continue on the 2nd Sunday of each month thru April, 2008. For additional information call 704-663-9441.
Tips from Gus!
Fishing floats and bobbers should be just big enough to support the sinker and bait. But not so large that a fish will sense resistance. As a general rule, the smaller the fish the smaller the float
Hot Spots of the Week:
Stripers upriver around islands and at south end in Davidson and Reeds Creeks.Bass are taking jerk baits in both hot holes and around deepwater docks. Spotted bass are schooling on drop offs in water fifteen to thirty feet deep, try shaky-heads or other soft plastics and jigging spoons.
The lake level is 93.4' or 6.6' below full pond and is still dropping. Surface water temperature is in the mid to high seventies.
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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