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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Fall Fishing Tips
October 18, 2009
Cool mornings and warm afternoons make fishing great on Lake Norman. Bass and stripers have been actively feeding since the water surface temperatures dropped into the mid-seventies. Fall is the perfect time to fish. The prime time bite can occur, not only at dawn and dusk, but at anytime throughout the day. Hopefully, the following tips will make a good day’s fishing even better. - Dress for the weather. Cool mornings and chilly boat rides make sweaters and jackets a necessity rather than an option. Layering allows you to remove clothing as air temperatures warm during the day.
- Fall is already showing its colors, so bring your camera to catch the season and the fish you catch.
- Now is the time for new fishing line if you haven't re-spooled since spring. Since fish are usually larger in the fall than they were in the spring, consider increasing the breaking strength of the line by a few pounds.
- Since baitfish spend a lot of time on the surface this time of year, keep a watchful eye out for surface feeding bass and stripers. When feeder fish are under attack, top water lures that pop, gurgle or churn the surface will entice strikes.
- All bites do not occur on the surface, so it is important to fish the entire water column. Rods should be rigged with appropriate tackle to fish the surface, mid water column depths, and the bottom.
- Fish for schools of hungry fall bass and stripers along the edges of shallow points and near channel and shoal markers.
- Fish are very active just before the approach of an inclement weather system. Try to fish the day before and during the rain associated with low pressure. As a rule, the first day after a front has passed, fishing is much slower.
Upcoming Events:
“How to Use a Fish Finder/GPS to Catch Lake Norman Stripers, Bass and Perch” - Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 6:30 P.M. This free ninety-minute session will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. Jake Bussolini, author of various fishing books, will lead the informative session. Additional information is available by calling 704-658-0822.
Tips from Gus!
To improve the action of a soft plastic worm, use a sharp knife or razor to split the tail half way up the body. Try the same when fishing dead shad/herring. Run the knife blade along the backbone from the tail toward the gill plate. When pulling the bait, it will flutter and appear lifelike.
Hot Spots of the Week:
Spotted bass are feeding on the surface when winds are light wind over shallow points and in boat basins. Stripers are still deep most of the time. Best catches are on live baits suspended at various depths. Best action is in Mountain and Reed Creek. White Perch continue to hit small minnows, worm pieces and a variety of spoons and jigs in coves and back creeks.
Lake Norman water conditions are generally clear. Surface water temperatures are in the seventies and the lake level is 97.2 or 2.8 feet below full pond. This week’s forecast is plenty of wind to blow fish in your direction and early fall colors to brighten your day.
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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