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Posted by }<)))*> StriperChaser on September 27, 2005, 8:44 pm Visit his web site, Fishin' with Gus! at http: //www.lakenormanstriperfishing.com, or call 704 617 6812. For additional information, e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com Link: Visit his web site, Fishin' with Gus!
4.154.25.99
Fishin' With Gus! - September 25, 2005
Lake Norman Fishing Forecast - October 2005
During the month of October, striper fishing improves daily. Each passing cold front lowers the surface water temperature a little more. Stripers are comfortable when surface temperatures fall into the 60's. Fish swim freely away from the cool deep waters and gradually migrate back to the swallow sections of major creek runs. Feeding activity will occur in the upper third of the water column at depths of less than 25 feet.
Early morning surface feeding in September gains momentum in October. The bite will last longer, and larger stripers will join adolescent fish in the fray. Anglers with spinning rods will cast a variety of artificial lures toward breaks at sunrise each morning. Bucktail jigs, roadrunners, spoons, flukes and top-water plugs with trailing ice flies, will be baits of choice for experienced anglers. Although the major bite is at daylight, a secondary flurry occurs just before sunset. On overcast days, unexpected surface action can erupt at any time. Have at least one rod per angler pre-tied with a casting lure. Don't miss the opportunity to catch a feeding fish because you have to
re-rig a rod.
By mid October, fish will begin to settle into a more predictable pattern. Fish the breaks and shallows early and move deeper as the day brightens. Live baits are recommended throughout the day. Shad and herring will be easier to catch and keep alive in the cooler water. By midday, stripers will have located off deep points and around S-turns in creek channels.
October's weather can feel like summer one day and winter the next. Striper fishing is best during low pressure and in rainy periods that precede a cold front. If your schedule is flexible, plan to fish before the weather clears.
Many fish leave the main river channel and will become more numerous in creeks that feed the main channel. Hicks Creek, that flows through The Lake Norman State Park, Rocky Creek, commonly called Skipper's Creek, and Stumpy Creek, are all good bets above the Highway 150 Bridge. Anglers fishing below Highway 150 will find fish in mountain, Hagars, and Reeds Creeks.
Bass fishermen will also see an improvement in fishing activity. Largemouths will move higher onto points and to the backs of popular coves and creeks. Concentrations of bass can be found over sections of the lake bottom that support stands of Hydrilla. This exotic weed has made a comeback this summer and is providing cover for bait and
predator fish.
Upcoming Seminar
Rigging for Lake Norman Striped Bass and Catfish
Thursday October 13, 2005 - 6:30 until 9:00 p.m.
Bass Pro Shops, Concord Mills
Lake Norman fishing guides Mac Byrum, Capt. Craig Price, and Capt. Gus Gustafson will conduct a "How To" seminar for catching stripers and catfish. Topics will include how to rig live/cut baits, how to fish with down/flat lines, and how to fish for striped bass with planer boards. Techniques used for catching catfish while drifting, trolling and anchored will also be discussed. The seminar is free and open to the public. Call 704-979-2200 for additional information.
Tips from Gus!
Small fish prefer small baits; large fish also eat small baits. To draw more bites, cut bait in small pieces.
The Hot Spots of the week are long shallow points. Bass and stripers are feeding during periodic binges on shad and herring. Anglers using both live and artificial baits are taking fish in water less than twenty feet. Top water lures with trailing spoons or poppers have been effective on surface feeding fish. The past week, striper fishing was fair, bass fishing good, and cat fishing was very good.
The lake level is 96.7 or 3.3 feet below full pond. Lake waters are generally clear with surface temperatures in the high seventies and low eighties.
Gus Gustafson is a USCG Licensed Captain, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a full time Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC.
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