Fishing with Capt. Gus! Rising Lake Levels 12-11-11

[Fishing Report]

Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus

Photo #1 When covered with water, this shoal with a rock pile is an excellent place to catch bass.

Photo #2 Will McConnell age 11 of Mooresville, NC shown holding a spotted bass caught on a recent Lake Norman Fishing trip with his sister Mary Taylor McConnell and dad, Ben McConnell



Fishing with Capt. Gus!
Rising Lake Levels

12-11-11



After several months of low water conditions, recent rains have caused water levels on Lake Norman to rise well above targeted levels for December. High water, while too late for the 2011 boating season, makes catching fish easier, particularly largemouth and spotted bass.



The low lake water levels experienced in September and October, forced bass to leave the shoreline and find cover in deep water. Conversely, as water levels rise, bass return to the same covered rocks, downed trees and stump fields that they frequented in the spring. Savvy anglers made notes while the lake was low and marked new spots on their GPS units and topographic paper maps.

Shallow water bass are easy to tempt with top water lures. Spinner and buzz baits are popular with local anglers, but floating worms, swim and jerk baits also have their time and place. When baitfish schools are seen swimming on the surface, a small popping or stick bait often causes explosive strikes.



High water is a boom to dock fishermen. Any kid will tell you that there are more fish around their dock when the water is deeper. Unless bass are surface feeding, the best way to attract dock bass is to bobber fish with live minnows. Multiple rods increase your chances of catching several fish. Be very sure the rods are secured in the rod holders with the drag set rather lightly. Otherwise, a big one might break the line or pull a rod into the lake.



To check lake levels call 1-800-829-5253 or visit: http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp .Lake levels are updated every twenty minutes.



Tips from Capt. Gus:

Regardless of bait preference, the forage fish (shad/herring) in Lake Norman run small, so in order to match the hatch so to speak, use smallish baits. Small lures will catch even big fish, while often large baits are ignored and can’t be swallowed by little fish



Upcoming Events:

A free safe boating class on “How to Navigate Norman when the Lake is Low” will be held at North Point Watersports, 112 Doolie Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Topics for discussion will include “Understanding Lake Norman’s Channel Marker and Buoy System”, “Identifying and Learning How to Avoid the Ten Most Dangerous Spots”, and “Safely Navigating In Low Water Conditions.” For more information, call me @ 704-617-6812 or email Gus@LakeNoman.com.



Hot Spots of the Week:

Fishing for spotted bass is excellent, as it has been for several weeks. Swim baits, bottom bumping shaky heads and crank baits fished near points, humps and around dock pilings are good places to cast. White perch, are hitting small pieces of cut bait, crappie minnows and small lures and jigs. Try fishing narrow coves, where the water is twenty to forty feet deep. Crappie fishing is excellent for those fishing minnows around boathouses, submerged bush and bridge pilings. For larger crappie, try Mountain, Little and Hager’s Creeks.



Lake Norman’s water level is about 1.3' from full pond and down 3.3' on Mountain Island Lake. The water’s surface temperature is in the fifties and low sixties.



Captain Gus Gustafson, licensed by the US Coast Guard, is a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a Professional Sport Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his website at www.FishingWithGus.com , e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com or call 704-617-6812.