fishing with Capt Gus, Lake Norman 9-19 Things Anglers Forget-1.jpg

Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus Gustafson.



Fishin’ with Capt. Gus!
Things Anglers Forget
September 19, 2010



Fishermen are notorious for forgetting things. One would think that sooner or later we would learn to make a checklist and use it. But for most of us, that will never happen. Many fishing trips are a spur of the moment decision, and most people do not take the time to check off a list when in a hurry to go fishing.



How many times have you seen this scenario? The boat is filling with water when the angler returns from parking the trailer. A frantic search for the drain plug begins, while the ice chest, tackle box and life preservers are floating on the flooded deck. Thanks goodness, most of the time the boat doesn’t sink, even though the embarrassment and story lives on.



Drain plugs aren’t the only things forgotten. How many times have you heard about someone forgetting to take the rods, reels and tackle box? You have to wonder what the person was thinking. It’s hard to fish without the tools of the trade.



Another item often left behind is the landing net. Its absence isn’t usually noticed until a big fish is hooked and very close to being landed. Without the net, the trophy is hard to manage and often gets away. Sometimes, luck is with the angler, in spite of his forgetfulness, and the prize is landed. That’s when the search begins for the camera that was left on the kitchen counter with the bag of lunch.



Everyone knows that time passes quickly when you’re fishing, so don’t forget to check the expiration date of your fishing license. You don’t want to get a citation the next time you’re stopped by a wildlife officer. Also, if it has been a while since you fished at the coast, North Carolina now requires a saltwater license. The warden will also check the size and number of fish in your creel, ice chest or live well, so remember to bring your fishing regulation booklet and a ruler to measure your catch.



Finally, don’t forget to take a kid fishing. Fishing is a family sport and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.



Tips from Capt. Gus: In Lake Norman and Badin Lake the daily limit is only one blue catfish greater than 32” in length. There are no other size or creel limits on this non-game fish. The size limit was imposed in hopes of creating a trophy fishery on both lakes for this prized member of the catfish family. Currently, Badin Lake holds the state record for the largest blue catfish ever caught on a rod and reel. The eighty-nine pounder was caught in 2006, replacing an eighty-five pounder caught in Lake Norman a few years earlier.



Upcoming Events:
Free fishing seminar - “Introduction to Largemouth and Spotted Bass Fishing” will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, at 6:30 p.m. - Thursday, September 30, 2010. The ninety minute session, conducted by Capt. Gus, will cover simple techniques used to catch bass on live and artificial baits, In addition, there will be a discussion about the ten best bass spots on Lake Norman. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.

Hot Spot of the week: Spotted bass are schooling early and late on the surface around creek and river points.Best bets are long shallow points like those found in Reed and Davison Creeks.



Cat fishing has been good to very good for those drifting cut baits from Maker 1, south to the dam. White perch are hitting along drops in water to forty feet. Best lures are jigging spoons fished in tandem with Sabiki flies.

The lake level is about 4.0' below full pond and dropping while the water surface temperature is in the low to mid eighties.

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, Fishin' With Capt. Gus! at www.lakenormanstriperfishing.com or call 704-617-6812. For additional information, e-mail him at Gus@LakeNorman.com