Fishing Guide | Piedmont Lakes Pilot

The Complete Marine Service and Waterfront Living Guide

	Hybrid Striped Bass - The New Lake Norman Residents By Capt. Gus Gustafson Anglers have reported catches of small hybrid striped bass in Lake Norman since October. The hybrid, a cross between a striped bass and a white bass, is being hooked by fishermen targeting crappie, white perch and spotted bass using small jigs, spoons and live crappie minnows The newest addition to Lake Norman’s growing fish population are too small to keep at this time, but will grow to seven pounds or more at maturity. more >>

	Rock Reefs and Fish Attractors A sonar image of bass feeding on a rock reef Jake Bussolini holds a spotted bass caught on one of Lake Norman’s new rock reefs. Photo’s courtesy of Capt. Gus Gustafson Mark Lancaster, Director at Large of the Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists reports that the new rock reefs are a success. Fishermen agree. They are finding a variety of fish over and around the tons of boulders placed in two locations on Lake Norman earlier this year. Spotted bass, white perch and catfish are feeding on the bait fish that have made the rock piles their home. According to Mark, “Plans are underway to create two additional rock reefs in 2012. While the exact locations are still under study, placements in Reed and Stumpy Creeks are being given serious consideration. In addition, a third round of deep water fish attractors will be deployed in the spring of 2012.” more >>

	The One That Got Away “Let me tell you a story about the one that got away!” Fishermen often use this line to begin a fishing tale of woe. Everyone has heard it and when you do, you know you will be subjected to a long story with an all too familiar ending. The fact is, more anglers talk about the fish that got away, than about the ones that don’t. The reasons are many, but the fact is that catching a big fish isn’t easy. Large fish are faster, stronger and stay on the line longer than their smaller brothers and sisters. Trophy fish battle with such tenacity that the tackle and temper of the angler are often challenged to the breaking point. To the big fish equation, add the excitement of seeing the fish of your dreams jump out of the water, knowing that you still have to reel it to the boat and it’s no wonder so many get away. more >>

	A Deep Secret by Gus Gustafson Fish, like people, live in different places. While some folks set up housekeeping in the mountains, others live in the country or at the beach. Regardless, the biggest populations are in the cities and towns that dot our land. Anglers know that fish also find shelter in a variety of habitats. Since the advent of modestly priced marine electronics, specifically sonar and GPS, fishermen are venturing farther and farther from the shoreline to locate and catch fish. There was a time when the expression, “the fish are deep” meant they were hovering in water depths to fifteen feet. Today, deep can be anywhere from fifteen feet to any depth of water. more>>

	Christmas Gifts for the Anglers by Gus Gustafson Are you having difficulty finding a gift for a fisherman on your Holiday shopping list? Listed below are a few ideas that might bring a smile to any angler’s face on Christmas morning. Fish Finders (Sonar) are the perfect gift for anglers who have difficulty locating fish. The viewing screen indicates bottom readings, water depth and actually shows fish under the boat. Prices begin at $50.00 for black and white units. Color models are more expensive, depending on screen size, quality and features. Popular brands are Hummingbird, Eagle, Lowrance and Garmin. more>>

	Trolling for Bass by Capt. Gus Gustafson A simple way to catch bass from any boat, even a pleasure vessel, is to troll. Trolling is accomplished, when a lure is cast behind the boat and pulled at a slow rate of speed with the motor running. Boats equipped with rod holders, can fish with multiple rods. If not, each angler must hold a rod while trolling and waiting for a bite. Trolling for bass is fun and easy, especially in the fall and early winter when spotted and largemouth bass are swimming near the shoreline. If you aren’t sure what depth to troll, zigzag your lines in water from eight to twenty feet of water. When fish are located, continue to fish at that depth. Boat speed is crucial to catching fish and slower is usually better. Boat speeds of 1.75 to 2.50 miles per hour will usually attract the most strikes. Best places to troll are near boat docks, channel markers, islands and over shallow points that jut out into the lake. more>>

	Fishing Tournament Tips by Gus Gustafson Every angler dreams of participating in a fishing tournament, and it’s not as difficult to participate as one may think. Sometimes, the only requirement is to pay the entry fee and fish from the back seat of someone else’s boat. Winning is different. That involves lots of skill, knowledge, practice and of course, just plain luck. If you’re interested in fishing a bass, crappie, striper or catfish tournament, the following tips could help put you on the leader board. more >>

	Fishing Lures by Capt. Gus Gustafson There is an old saying used by fishermen that goes something like this, “I spent most of my money on fishing tackle, the rest I wasted.” Maybe you have heard it before, maybe you haven’t. Regardless, fishermen do spend a lot of money on tackle, particularly on fishing lures. If you don’t believe it, the next time you are talking to a fisherman, ask how many tackle boxes he has accumulated over the years. Two, three, four or more doesn’t sound like many, but each has the capacity to hold dozens and dozens of lures. Every time a lure was added to the collection the angler believed it would catch fish. more>>

	How to Fillet a Striper Ok, you’ve got that big Striper. Now what? Here’s a step-by-step guide to great filets. more>>

	Fishin’ with Kids by Gus Gustafson When it comes to fishing, kids say and do the darndest things. Like the three children, two boys and a girl, who were so proud of their catch that they filled the master bathtub with water. And guess what??? Yes, they stocked it with the two white perch and one largemouth bass they had caught. Next, they added a carton of worms, dirt and all, plus a bag of crumbled chocolate chip cookies in case the fish got hungry. When dad came upon the scene, he laughed and helped to remove the fish and clean up the mess before Mom got home. more>>

	Fishing Tournament Tips by Gus Gustafson Every angler dreams of participating in a fishing tournament, and it’s not as difficult to participate as one may think. Sometimes, the only requirement is to pay the entry fee and fish from the back seat of someone else’s boat. Winning is different. That involves lots of skill, knowledge, practice and of course, just plain luck. If you’re interested in fishing a bass, crappie, striper or catfish tournament, the following tips could help put you on the leader board. more>>

	Best Spots to Catch Cold Weather Fish by Capt. Gus Gustafson Lake Norman’s five-hundred and twenty miles of shoreline provide ample habitats for fish to hide and thrive, but finding a good fishing hole in that much water is like finding “a needle in a hay stack.” The following pointers may be helpful in locating some good spots to try. The best places to fish vary by the season and the species. The majority of anglers spend their time casting toward objects along the shoreline. Likely targets are boat houses, docks, ramps, fallen trees, brush plies, stumps and rocks. Offshore fishermen depend on electronics to locate humps, points underwater springs, brush and rock piles in water to depths greater than fifty feet. more>>

	Inaugural “Big Bass Bash” Set for March 25-27 at Pickwick Lake Florence, Ala – The Association of Collegiate Anglers announced today that Florence/Lauderdale Tourism will host the newly created “Big Bass Bash” at Pickwick Lake on March 25-27. The event is open to all institutionally-recognized college fishing clubs and becomes the third major, nationally televised event of the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series. “We are delighted to host the Big Bass Bash,” said Debbie Wilson, Director Florence/Lauderdale Tourism. “There are several elements to this event that are unique and will make it interesting not only for the anglers but also fishing tournament fans. Working with collegiate anglers is rewarding and assures the sustainability of the sport.” more>>

	Fishin’ with Capt. Gus! Blue Heron by Capt Gus Gustafson Those who have spent time around the water have most likely seen a blue heron stalking minnows. The bluish-gray bird with long legs and an even longer neck is usually seen wading along the shore. These solitary hunters frequent quiet coves and areas where an abundance of baitfish swims near the shore. Blue Herons are expert fishers, but also eat snakes and small ground animals. They stand patiently still until their quarry is close enough to snare with a quick thrust of its blade-like beak. While an adult bird stands upwards of four and a half feet, its neck is very thin. So thin, in fact, that if a fish becomes lodged sideways in its neck, it can choke to death. The neck of a juvenile bird is smaller yet, which makes choking a major reason for the species’ high mortality rate. There are lots of stories of missing Koi and other fish from newly stocked garden ponds. At first, the pond owner notices that a few fish are missing, but then realizes there is always the chance that some fish might be hidden under rocks and pond vegetation. Surprisingly, within a few days the entire fish population has disappeared. more>>

	Fish attractors added to piedmont reservoirs Project to increase and enhance fish habitat The North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) began deploying 300 fish attractors to create aquatic structures or ‘reefs’ in Lake Norman and Mountain Island lake to increase and enhance fish habitat. The project is in conjunction with state fish biologists and volunteers from the Federation’s local wildlife chapters – Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists and Mountain Island Lake Wildlife Stewards – and involves assembling and deploying the attractors in pre-determined sites. more>>

	White Perch by Capt Gus Gustafson Each year about this time white perch gather offshore in large schools on Lake Norman and other Piedmont Lakes. It’s easy for anglers to catch all the fish they want in a matter of a few hours. Reports of boats catching one, two and three hundred perch per trip are not a stretch of the imagination. If you are interested in hauling in a ton of fish that are fun to catch and good to eat, read on. White perch are ocean fish that thrive in freshwater environments. No one is quite sure how, but some years back these feisty fighters were introduced to Lake Norman. Today there are so many that some fear they will take over the lake. They multiply so quickly that the NC Wildlife Resources Commission has elected not to impose a size or creel limit on this little cousin to the striped bass. You can keep all the perch you catch, regardless of size. more>>

	Piedmont Lakes Fishing Guide Bait & Tackle Shops AK McCallum Co. Tackle, Jon Boats 715 Ramsey St, Fayetteville NC 28302 910-483-6804 or 800-682-2628 Balls Creek Bait & Tackle Open M-F 5am – 10pm; S-S 6am – 10pm 3152 Hwy 16 S, Newton NC 28658 828-464-0904 Bob’s Bait 7150 Little Mountain Rd, Sherrill’s Ford NC 28673 704-483-1011 or 704-658-8542 Byrum’s General Store 8510 Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte NC 28273 704-588-0434 Caldwell Bait & Tackle 17523 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville NC 704-892-2700 Carolina Mountain Sports 101 E Broad St, Statesville NC 28677 704-871-1444 Carolina Sportsman 247 Hands Mill Rd/Hwy 274, Newport SC 803-366-3466 Catawba Tackle & Marine 2317 India Hook Rd, Rock Hill SC 803-366-7998 Chip’s Lake Stop 648 PeeDee Ave, Norwood NC 704-474-7154 Critterville Outlet 8759 Charlotte Hwy, Ft Mill SC 803-242-3880 Fish Tales Marina & Grille 700 Lake Forest Rd, New London NC 28127 336-461-2565 www.tishtalesmarina.com Harbortowne Marina 220 Commodore Ct, Belmont NC 28012 704-825-5050 High Rock Marina & Campground 1013 Wafford Circle, Lexington NC 336-798-1196 or 800-382-3239 Highway 49 Sporting Goods 36488 NC 8/49 Hwy, New London NC 28127 704-463-7053 Hill’s Minnow Farm 7940 Bringle Ferry Rd, Salisbury NC 28146 704-663-7413 Kwik Stop Open 5:30 am – 11:00 pm 790 Hwy 16 N, Denver NC 704-483-1781 Lakeside Marina Hwy 127, 24 Marina Dr, Hickory NC 28601 828-495-8181 Lakeside Tackle At High Rock Boat Dock Marina 339 N Shore Dr, Lexington NC 27292 336-859-3770 Madison River Outfitters Orvis Fly Fishing Shop 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd #D5, Cornelius NC 28031 704-896-3676 Nichols Store 1980 Mt Holly Rd, Rock Hill SC 29730 803-328-9792 Norwood Express Mart 130 S Main St, Norwood NC 28128 704-474-4588 Norwood Food & Beverage 976 N Main St, Norwood NC 28128 704-474-3993 Pendleton’s Sporting Goods 5930 Charlotte Hwy, Clover SC 29710 803-631-5410 Perth Bait & Tackle 818 Perth Rd, Troutman, NC 28166 704-528-4826 R&N Marina 5803 Icard Ridge Rd, Hickory NC 28601 828-495-8833 www.randnmarina.com Rink Dam Boat Dock Lake Hickory 828-632-7937 or 828-632-5431 Riverstop Bait & Tackle 1940 W Hwy 160, Ft Mill SC 803-548-5926 River Stop Food Mart Open Sun 10-8; M -- F 6-9; Sat 7-9 3900 Mt Gallant Rd, Rock Hill SC 29732 803-329-0002 Robichaux Outfitters 1113 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville NC 28117 704-658-1975 Simonds Bait & Tackle Shop On the Tuckaseigee River 1085 Main St, Bryson City NC 28713 828-488-6854 Stutts Bait & Tackle Shop 571 Stutts Rd, Mooresville NC 704-664-3106 Tackle Town 4705 Cousin Ln, Maiden (Denver) NC 28650 704-483-1007 www.tackletown.net Tamarac Marina 9120 Bringle Ferry Rd, Salisbury NC 704-636-1918 Taylorsville Beach Marina 420 Taylorsville Beach Ct, Taylorsville NC 28681 828-632-7649 Terrell Bait & Tackle Hwy 150, Terrell NC 828-478-2024 The Rod Shop 4115 Rocky River Rd N, Monroe NC 704-289-4003 Westport Marina 7879 Water Oaks Dr, Denver NC 28037 704-483-5172 www.boatwestportmarina.com Fishing Guides Carolina Bonefishing Fly fishing trips & lessons 704-616-6662 www.carolinabonefishing.com Catfish Guide Service Lake Norman Guide David Nicholson 704-592-5562 Down & Out Striped Bass Guide Service Lakes Hickory, Lookout Shoals, Norman 287 Rumple Hill Dr, Statesville NC 28677 704-528-9013 or 704-902-7246 Fish On! Lake Norman Guide Service Capt. Craig Price Fishing LKN, Hickory, Mtn Island, Lookout Shoals, Rhodhiss PO Box 1623, Denver NC 28037 704-996-0946 www.fishonlakenorman.com Gold Hook Guide Service Jason Quinn 810 Riverstone Ct, Lake Wylie SC 29745 803-327-7048 or 980-522-6618 www.jasonquinnbassbro.com Gul-R-Boy Guide Service Flounder, Red Drum, Tarpon & Trout 539 Harvestmoon Dr, Georgetown SC 843-546-3625 or 843-520-6339 www.gulrboy.com Hill Guide Services Santee-Cooper Lakes & Rivers Capt. John Gary Hill 704-739-7838 www.hillguides.com Ken’s Guide Service Striper Fishing 828-325-9848 or 336-785-5935 Lake Norman Ventures Striper Fishing Capt. Gus Gustafson 7815 Lucy Ln, Sherrill’s Ford NC 28673 704-489-0763 or 704-617-6812 www.lakenormanstriperfishing.com Lake Wylie Guide Service Jimmy Drum 99 Old Mine Rd, Mt Holly NC 28120 704-827-3018 Morrow’s Guide Service Striped Bass Only 704-491-8787 Madison River Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide Service 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd #D5, Cornelius NC 28031 704-896-3676 Robichaux Outfitters 1113 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville NC 28117 704-658-1975 Tall Boy’s Catfish Guide Norman & Surrounding Lakes David Nicholson 704-592-5562 Ty Mathis Striper Fishing Lakes Norman, Hickory, Mountain Island Ty Mathis 828-308-7755 Yadkin Lakes Guide Service High Rock, Badin & Tuckertown Lakes Maynard Edwards 336-249-6782 Fishing Licenses Purchase NC licenses on-line at www.wildlife.state.nc.us Purchase SC licenses on-line at http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/ or purchase by phone at 1-888-434-7472. Licenses also available at all Wal-Mart Stores. Beatties Ford Rd Hardware 2731 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte NC 28216 704-393-2847 C’s BP 101 Wadesboro Blvd, Mt Gilead NC 27306 910-439-4243 Carolina Fishing 2925 N Center St, Hickory NC 28601 828-328-1431 Carolina Mountain Sports 101 E Broad St, Statesville NC 28677 704-871-1444 Chip’s Lake Stop 648 PeeDee Ave, Norwood NC 704-474-7154 Fish Tales Marina & Grille 700 Lake Forest Rd, New London NC 28127 336-461-2565 www.fishtalesmarina.com Four Seasons Marine Supply 575 Hwy 16 N, Denver NC 28037 704-489-8242 General Store of Denver 6360 E Hwy 150, Sherrills Ford NC 28673 704-483-2686 Highway 49 Sporting Goods 36488 NC 8/49 Hwy, New London NC 28127 704-463-7053 Lake Norman Grocery 1208 River Hwy, Mooresville NC 28117 704-799-0032 Lakeside Marina Hwy 127, 24 Marina Dr, Hickory NC 28601 828-495-8181 Nichols Store 1980 Mt Holly Rd, Rock Hill SC 29730 803-328-9792 North Lakes Dock & Shop 5623 Grace Chapel Rd, Hickory NC 28601 828-324-5506 Norwood Express Mart 130 S Main St, Norwood NC 28128 704-474-4588 Pendleton’s Sporting Goods 5930 Charlotte Hwy, Clover SC 29710 803-631-5410 R&N Marina 5803 Icard Ridge Rd, Hickory NC 28601 828-495-8833 www.randnmarina.com River Stop Food Mart Open Sun 10-8; M -- F 6-9; Sat 7-9 3900 Mt Gallant Rd, Rock Hill SC 29732 803-329-0002 Sharon Supermarket 2174 Island Ford Rd, Statesville NC 28677 704-871-0505 Simonds Bait & Tackle Shop On the Tuckaseigee River 1085 Main St, Bryson City NC 28713 828-488-6854 Tom’s Grocery & Tackle Hwy 220 N, Star NC 27356 910-428-4141 WAS Greenfield Market 522 Alexander St, Statesville NC 28677 704-876-2613 Wilgrove Express Bait & Tackle Open 7 days a week 10102 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte NC 28227 704-545-1228 Taxidermist, Fish Mounts Fishing Creek Taxidermy Cierra Ln, Lando SC 29724 803-789-6321 Game Trail Taxidermy 6280 County Line Rd, Mt Pleasant NC 704-782-4497 Kimsey Museum Studio 5548 Candlewick Tr, Gastonia NC 704-867-4616 Tommy’s Taxidermy 1313 Crowell Dairy Rd, Indian Trail NC 704-753-1470 Trail’s End Taxidermy 459 Little River Rd, Ft Mill SC 29715 803-547-5646 Fishing Organizations Balls Creek Bassmasters 828-459-1119 Carolinas Catfish Club 251 Kelly Ln, Lexington NC 27295 704-664-4532 www.carolinascatfishclub.com Charlotte Offshore Sportfishing Club Monthly meetings, workshops 704-458-4669 www.cosfc.com Lake Norman Stripers Club Mooresville NC www.lnssfishn.com NC Fishing Adventures Day Camp for Boys & Girls, Ages 6-13 252-432-4860 or 252-230-0428 www.ncfishingadventures.com Norman Fishery Alliance www.gonfa.com Balls Creek Bassmasters Newton NC 828-459-1119 Outcast Bassmasters Newton NC 828-428-2806 Rod & Reel Repair Fisherman’s Friend Too 1401 S. Ridge Ave, Kannapolis NC 28083 704-932-7335 Tackle Town 4705 Cousin Ln, Maiden (Denver) NC 28650 704-483-1007 www.tackletown.net