Hot Spots of the Week: Spotted bass and hybrids are feeding on the surface early and late. Others are suspended in water to sixty feet wherever they find baitfish during the day. When fishing deep, baits of choice are drop-shot rigs, jigging spoons, bucktails and Alabama-rigs. Anglers with live baits are catching their share on shad, herring and shiners (bass minnows). White perch are hitting small minnows and Sabiki rigs, as usual, in the same areas where spotted bass and hybrids are feeding.
Good starting spots are in the old river channel between markers 18 to 24, or Hicks and Stumpy Creeks above the Highway 150 Bridge. Farther south, are concentrations of fish in Mountain, Little, Reed and Davidson Creeks. That’s a lot of water to cover, so to save time, watch for diving sea birds and clusters of boats fishing in deep water.
Lake Norman is about 1.5 feet below full pond and 2.5 feet below at Mountain Island Lake. The water surface temperature is in the high fifties and low sixties.
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, www.fishingwithgus.com or call 704-617-6812. For additional information, e-mail Gus@LakeNorman.com.