Fishin’ with Capt. Gus! Winter Striper Fishing Fun January 23, 2011-1.jpg

Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus

Harold Smith of Lenoir, NC shown holding a Lake Norman winter striper taken while drifting live bait.



Fishin’ with Capt. Gus!
Winter Striper Fishing Fun
January 23, 2011



The rod bent with great force, and the reel’s drag signaled a strike with its loud screech. “It has to be a striper! What other fish pulls with such force on Lake Norman?” Those were the words of the angler playing a fish on a recent trip. As the trophy was being landed, he added; “If they (stripers) jumped, people would switch from fishing for largemouth bass.” Even though stripers seldom jump when hooked, they make up for it with a bulldog-like tenaciousness and long powerful runs that challenge the skills of even the best angler.



Winter is a prime time to catch Lake Norman’s premier game fish. Cold lake waters (like the temperatures we are currently experiencing), allow stripers the freedom to swim the full range of the water column in search of feeder fish. Remember, the daily creel limit is four sixteen inch stripers per angler. Since the filets trim out relatively large, it only takes a few fish to make a delightful meal.



Those new to the sport will quickly learn that the key to catching stripers is to locate the areas that hold large concentrations of forage fish. On Lake Norman, threadfin shad and herring feed the striper population. Herring are deep water dwellers, so watch for thick banded images near the bottom of your fish finder screen. Threadfin shad images appear as puffy clouds, usually suspended in the upper third of the water column.



Anglers use a variety of methods to tempt stripers. Live bait is the most popular method, but some prefer cut baits, and others use artificial lures. Regardless of the method used, each has its time and place, so be prepared to change techniques as fishing conditions dictate.



Those using live bait either drift or use an electric trolling motor to quietly maneuver the boat over schools of feeding stripers. Live baits vary according to availability and angler preference, but shad, herring, trout, shiners and blood worms are good bets. Cut baits are best when used fresh. Frozen and pre-packaged baits lack the scent required to attract stripers from a distance. Those casting and /or trolling artificials will find that stripers hit a variety of lures, including bucktails, roadrunners and jigging spoons.



Winter havens for striped bass are many. Just remember that they change locations as the baitfish move. Best places to fish above the Highway 150 Bridge are the river channel between markers 19 and 21 as well as the deeper parts of Hicks and Stumpy Creeks. Below the bridge, bank fishermen catch stripers in the Marshall and McGuire warm water discharge channels. Boat fishermen target Mountain, Reed and Ramsey Creeks.



Tips from Capt. Gus: If you want to give striper fishing a try, begin with the same rods, reels and lures used to catch bass. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money up front on new equipment. And yes, lots of folks fish for stripers from bass boats, particularly those who like to cast lures.



Upcoming Events:


Free Seminar - “How to Catch Fish Using Sonar and GPS”
Jake Bussolini and I will conduct this all new Sonar/GPS. Fishing Seminar on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Exit 36 in Mooresville, NC. Bring your questions and instruction books to the ninety minute seminar. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.



Boater Safety Training - The Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron is conducting its first boater safety training class of the New Year on Saturday, January 29th at 8:00 am at the Denver,NC VFD. 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.



Hot Spots of the week: For striped bass, fish stumpy Creek at the north end of Lake Norman and the junction of Reed Creek and the Catawba River channel at the lower end. McCrary and Ramsey Creeks are good bets for those targeting bass.



The surface water temperature is in the thirties and forties, and the lake level is about 3.4’ below full pond.



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 website, at www.fishingwithgus.com or call 704-617-6812. For additional information, e-mail Gus@LakeNorman.com.