Fishin’ with Capt. Gus! The Catfish Hunters September 18, 2011

[Fishing Report]

Photos courtesy of Capt. Gus

Photo # 1 Mac Byrum holding a channel catfish (20.4 pounds) taken from the Red River of the North

Photo #2 Jake Bussolini holding a channel catfish (21.8 pounds) taken from the Red River of the North.



Fishin’ with Capt. Gus!
The Catfish Hunters
September 18, 2011



Local author, Jake Bussolini and Lake Norman Catfish Guide, Mac Byrum are co-authoring a book entitled “Catfish Hunters” which will be published this winter. While both gentlemen are accomplished anglers, they felt that value could be added to their writings if they included the expertise of other knowledgeable anglers and fishing guides. Collectively, they decided the best way to learn from the experts would be to fish with them. So, as “Gadabout Gaddis from The Flying Fisherman,” a television pioneer fishing host did back in the 1960's, Jake and Mac flew from lake to lake to do research for their book. Their quest for knowledge took them to catfish holes in North and South Carolina, Virginia and as far west as the Red River of the North, which flows through the town of Grand Forks, North Dakota. This river is not to be confused with the Red River, a tributary of the Mississippi River that forms part of the border between Texas and Oklahoma.

Everyone will agree that flying 2,400 miles in a light aircraft is a long way to go to catch channel catfish. But, both men attest that the adventure, combined with the learning experience, was well worth the time and effort. Jake’s best Red River channel cat tipped the scales at 21.8 pounds and Mac’s biggest was not far behind at 20.4 pounds. Both fish were huge for their species, considering that Jake’s trophy was just shy of the North Carolina state record of 23.4 pounds.



During their two days on the river they were professionally guided by Brad Durick, a dedicated angler and expert of the Red River of the North. A total of forty three channel cats were landed, the majority weighing between ten and fourteen pounds.. What made the trip so unique, and has both anglers still talking, was the type of bait they used. It wasn't the sucker fish or the golden eyes, (a forage fish), but frogs. Yes, frogs. A Leopard Frog which is a small amphibian that’s a favorite specimen for laboratory studies. It seems that this frog likes the fast moving water of the Red River of the North and thrives on May Flies and other insects. The fact that Leopard Frogs do not produce a distasteful secretion, as some do, make them a tasty morsel for big channel cats and other river predators.



Jake and Mac also chronicled their catfish fishing research from trips to Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Monticello, Wylie and Wateree in South Carolina, the James River in Virginia, as well as, our own Lake Norman in the book. While some trips saw better fishing, like the fifty-six and a half pound blue cat taken by Mac on the James River, none were as interesting as the North Dakota junket. Both writers are looking forward to sharing their cat fishing experiences with you when the “Catfish Hunters” comes off the press this winter.



Upcoming Events:

Free Fishing Seminar: “Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Norman Fishing” - Jake Bussolini and I will answer your fishing questions on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, in Mooresville, NC. This session will be of great interest to those new to lake fishing and interested in catching bass, cats, crappie, perch and stripers. Bring your questions to this informative seminar. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.

The Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron will conduct Boater Safety Training on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. at the Duke Energy Environmental Center, Huntersville. The cost is $45.00. Pre-registration is required. For additional information, visit: www.usps.org/lakenorman or call Bob Yannacci at 704 660 5568.

Tips from Gus! To drift fish for cat fish, simply drift in the current and drag the bait along the bottom. This method works well and a lot of water can be covered in a day’s fishing.



Hot Spots of the Week: Catch spotted bass on buzz baits early and late off rip-rap and natural rock points. Schoolie bass are on the surface of shallow river points and over underwater humps on windless days. Best bets are Reed Creek at the south end and around the Islands in the river channel near the State Park. Those targeting white perch are finding large schools suspended in water to fifty feet deep. Best places to fish are deep river and secondary points and in and around deep brush. Striper fishing is spotty.


The surface water temperature varies by location, but is mainly in the low eighties in open waters not affected by power generation. The water level is about 5.0 ' below full pond on Lake Norman and 2.8' below full on Mountain Island Lake

Capt. 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, www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.