When it comes to change, fish, like people, don’t always like it. The best example is weather. Quick changes in temperature and wind direction keep fish from feeding for a couple of days, and that makes fishing tough. That’s what happened in March. It was difficult for some to bag a limit, when they fished right after a weather system had passed through. Thank goodness, past history shows that April has more stable weather than March. Here’s hoping that will be the case this year.
Anglers should expect warming water temperatures to draw all species toward the banks where they are easier to catch. Bass and crappie will be spawning in shallow water and eating small fish and insects that hatch each spring. The optimum word is shallow. If the water is deep enough for fish to swim, they are probably nearby. Logical places to cast for bass are in sandy coves with overhanging branches and where bushes are growing out of the water. Crappie will hold tight to trees and branches in water only a foot or two deep.
Best lures for bass are bottom bumping soft plastics, swim, jerk, spinner and buzz baits. Not to be overlooked, is the Alabama rig which has taken the bass fishing community by storm in recent years. In addition, bass minnows, even though shunned by tournament fishermen, are deadly when pitched near a bass that’s tending its nest. Bigger is better when using live bait during nesting season. Use the largest minnows you can find.
Crappie fishermen have two bait choices, small minnows or jigs. While both are productive in shallow water, minnows seem to get the best results. If in doubt, use both by tipping the jig with a minnow hooked through the lips or eye sockets. A typical brush pile yields three to twelve crappies, sometimes more. Rather than waste time trying to catch the stragglers, just move to the next spot.
Not all bass and crappies are near the bank. There are those that spawned in March or will be spawning during the next full moon. These fish are staging in deeper water, where they can be tricked into hitting Texas and Carolina rigged soft plastics or crank baits. And, don’t forget the dock bass and boathouse crappie that seem to lurk in the shadows year round. When all else fails, give them a try.
Warming water temperatures activate catfish, particularly channel and blue cats that roam the back coves in April. If you don’t have time to buy stink baits or catch a sunfish for cut bait, open the refrigerator for a piece of cheese, slice of pepperoni or a few leftover shrimp. Catfish will eat anything that smells and the worse the odor, the better.
See you out there!
Tips from Capt. Gus! A cup or two of dry dog food thrown around the dock each day will not only feed the ducks, but will act as chum to attract fish. To prevent the pieces from floating away, allow the dog food to soak in water for a few minutes before using.
Hot Spots of the Week: Anglers seeking big bass are casting the shallows for bedding fish. Those hoping for a quick limit are throwing jerk baits and Alabama rigs off river and creek channel points. Crappie fishing has improved. Twenty fish limits are being taken from a wide range of depths, but mostly from water less than ten feet deep. White perch are also shallow where they are feeding on spawning threadfin shad. Best lures to use are small spoons and rooster tails.
Upcoming Events:
“How to Navigate Lake Norman Day or Night” is a free safe boating class to be held at Morning Star Marina at Kings Point, Exit 28, Cornelius, NC on April 9th at 6:30 p.m. Becky Johnson and I will cover topics that include “Understanding LKN’s Channel Marker and Buoy System”, “How to Avoid Shallow Water”, “The Ten Most Dangerous Spots”, and “Interpreting Lake Maps”. For more information, call Ashley at 704 892 7575.
Free Fishing Seminar – “Bass Fishing around Rocks, Docks and Drop-off’s on LKN” - Jake Bussolini and I will conduct this ninety minute seminar beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 16th at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.
Norman’s water level is about 2.4’ below full pond and 3.0’ below full on Mountain Island Lake. The surface water temperature is in the fifties and sixties in water not affected by power generation on Lake Norman.