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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Hot Hole Fishing
December 13, 2009
In December, January and February, Lake Norman’s “Hot Holes” will be the place to fish. Boat and bank fishing is permitted in designated locations at both power plants. The McGuire Nuclear Station is located off Highway 73, east of Cowan’s Ford Dam, and the Marshall Steam Plant is off Highway 150, on the west side of the Catawba River. Both areas are called “Hot Holes”, so before you go, be sure to ask which one is producing the most fish. These locations are currently producing nice catches of stripers, largemouth and spotted bass. The highly oxygenated warm water not only serves as an incubator for small fish, but also provides relief from the winter cold for predator fish. There will be times during the winter when game fish are so plentiful that bank fishermen stand shoulder-to-shoulder to cast for them.
If you haven't fished the hot holes before, walk the banks and talk to other fishermen. Many are regulars who are more than willing to share techniques and success stories with you. While methods may vary among anglers, bottom fishing is always popular with those fishing from the shore. Most anglers choose a medium-action spinning outfit rigged with a slip sinker, a swivel, a length of leader material and a hook. Recommended natural-baits for bass, stripers and perch are worms, fresh cut fish and a variety of live baits. Catfish can be tempted with chicken livers, clams and fresh cut fish.
At times, feeding activity occurs on the surface. Swirls, created by predators striking baitfish, usually signal the beginning of a feeding frenzy. The action is often short in duration, but when it occurs, everyone on the bank will have a hookup. Artificial lures, both top water and sub-surface swimmers, are good bets when fish are surface feeding. Have an outfit rigged and ready to cast. One thing for certain is that the fish are more active when a strong current is running. Remember, the faster the current, the heavier the sinker when bottom fishing.
For a successful conclusion and capture of your trophy, a long handled net is recommended. Be very careful of your position when netting your catch, as rocks are slippery and water moves swiftly. Children should always wear life preservers and should never be left unattended. North Carolina Wildlife Officers patrol both Hot Holes on a regular basis. To avoid a penalty, abide by all fishing regulations and be aware of creel and size limits of the fish you plan to keep.
While the discharge chutes see a lot of fishing action, the hot water effect is far reaching. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, water temperatures are affected for miles on either side of the discharge. When the wind is from the south, the water north of the discharge warms. The water to the south warms when the wind is from the north. Be reminded that only a degree or two of temperature change can attract bait and predator fish.
Tips from Capt Gus:
Try holding the next fish you catch upside down while unhooking it. When held belly up, a fish stops wiggling and becomes almost lifeless.
Hot Spots of the week are Mountain Creek, Beaver Dam and Little Creek where stripers are being caught on suspended live baits in water to sixty feet deep. Spotted bass and white perch are plentiful near road-beds, humps and deep brush in Reed and Davidson Creek. Bass are active in both hot holes. Catfishing is fair to good.
The lake level is 97.2 or 2.8' below full pond, while the water temperature is in the fifties.
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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