One of the first things you learn when you begin to fish is that “fish math” is different from the math you learned in school. It’s confusing at first, but once you learn the basics, it’s quite simple. “Fish math” has two rules. The first is that the number of fish caught is usually greater than the ones netted. And secondly, the size of the fish is always larger than its actual measurement. The best thing about “fish math” is that there are no wrong answers. Better yet, the answer can change each time you tell the story. Below are a few examples that might help you better understand “fish math.”

Q: How big was the fish?
A: About this long!
Q: No, I mean how many feet and inches?
A: I don’t know. I never carry a tape measure when I’m fishing.

Q: How many did you catch?
A: A lot!
Q: Just give me a number?
A: I lost count after forty-five or so.

Q: How long was the fish?
A: About four feet.
Q: How do you know?
A: That’s about the height my boy was when he caught it and it was bigger than he was.

Q: How much did the big one weigh?
A: Five or six pounds.
Q: Did you weigh it?
A: No, but the picture weighed two pounds.

Q: Did you count the fish?
A: Yes, I counted the eyes and multiplied by two.
Q: Shouldn’t you have divided by two?
A: Not if you want an accurate count.

Q: Do you remember the fishing trip on the pier when we caught so many fish?
A: Yes.
Q: How many did we catch?
A: I don’t remember, but we ran out of bait.

Q: How many fish does it take to make a dozen?
A: That depends on who is counting.

Q: Did you catch any fish?
A: Yes
Q: How many?
A: Twenty, if you don’t count the ones that got away!

I started the day with no fish and I still have plenty left.
Q: What kind of math is that?
A: Fish math!

Q: If twelve minnows equal a dozen, how many are in a pound?
A: Who knows?
A fact: A fish always appears larger in the water than it actually is.


Photo Credit - Capt. Gus

Photo of Brock Duma , Age 9, of Blacksburg, Va. holding a trophy largemouth bass he caught on a recent Lake Norman fishing trip

Tips from Capt. Gus! Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.


Upcoming Events:
A free safe boating class on “How to Navigate Lake Norman Day or Night” will be held at Morning Star Marina, Kings Point, Exit 28, Cornelius, NC on August 14th beginning 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 Becky Johnson at 704 892 7575.

Fishing Report: Top water lures at dawn and deep diving crank baits throughout the day have recently taken a lot of spotted bass. Best bets are boat basins, rip-rap and primary points in Stumpy and Reed Creeks. White perch fishing has improved dramatically since water levels have stabilized. Try fishing for them in Davidson, Reed and Mountain Creeks. A few hybrid striped bass are being caught while fishing for perch and when trolling for them with Alabama Rigs. Cat fishing is excellent.

Water Conditions:
The water level on Lake Norman is approximately 1.4' below full pond. Mountain Island Lake is 2.0' below full. Surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-eighties, depending on location or proximity to a power plant.

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, [COLOR=#0000ff]www.fishingwithgus.com[/COLOR] or call 704-617-6812. For additional information, e-mail Gus@LakeNorman.com.