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Catch 'em at the ramp
Most access areas have ramps with docks that provide ample habitat for fish and a quick route to deep water. Bass and striper tournaments are frequently won by anglers who catch the prize winning fish right at the ramp where the boat was launched.
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Fall fishing season on Lake Norman
October's north winds signal the beginning of the fall fishing season. It's a great time to combine fishing and cruising. Autumn on Lake Norman is highlighted with clear blue skies, a crispness in the air and trees that proudly show their reds, yellows, browns and earth tone colors. The color change is both interesting and beautiful. Color changes will first be noticed at the lake's upper end and will slowly move south toward Cowan's Ford Dam.
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If fish aren't biting, it's time to adjust your style
Anyone who has ever cast a bait in the lake knows that fish are not the easiest critters to figure out. It doesn't take long to realize that on some days they bite like crazy, while at other times they will shun even the tastiest morsel.
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Decoding the language of anglers
Fishermen are sometimes known to speak in tongues of their own. They often say things to keep others off track about where the fish are biting, how they are being caught, and then brag about the one that got away. They might want you to think they know everything, but don't want you to know more than they do.
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Garfish plentiful in Lake Norman
The first time a casual observer gets a glimpse of a garfish, visions of snakes, gators and lake monsters come to mind. The long cylindrical fish with a snout full of teeth, does indeed resemble a sea serpent of sorts. What makes it look even more creature-like are the dark-green diamond shaped scales that create the illusion of a finned snake or a creature from the deep.
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Weather just right to catch stripers
The month of May gives anglers an opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish without the chilly winds of early spring. Fish also seem to enjoy the warmer weather.
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Tips for improving bite-to-catch ratio
Since there are many occasions when anglers lose fish after hooking them, I will mention a few things that might improve your bite-to-catch ratio.
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The size of fish tales
Have you ever listened to a group of anglers talking about the fish they caught or the ones that got away? Words like "big," "huge," and "enormous" often preface their stories.
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Spring brings better chances to catch trophy fish
Lake Norman bass, stripers, cats and pan fish all have one thing in common. When the water begins to warm each spring, they get hungry!
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A bad case of the fishing pox
In case you haven't heard, an epidemic is quickly spreading throughout the Lake Norman fishing community. It's not the dreaded Asian or Bird Flu, it doesn't affect the well being of fish and is not life threatening, but it does take its toll on humans. The disease is known as the Fishing Pox.
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LKN anglers offer their favorite catfish recipes
Tired of the same old fish recipes? Fishing guide Mac Byrum and Gourmet Chef Tim Shafer guarantee their catfish delights will please your taste buds.
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More boat traffic can pose risks
As spring approaches, we again welcome the opportunity to see what's new at the Mid-Atlantic Boat Show.
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Speckled perch a good catch year-round in LKN
Crappies, also known as speckled perch in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, are fun to catch and great to eat. The best daytime fishing is in the spring when large schools move to shallow water. Most are caught on small jigs or live crappie minnows. Don't be concerned if you miss the spring spawn. Crappies can be caught in deeper water throughout the year.
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Gus' shares best fishing story of the year
Looking ahead to a year of new fishing tales, it seems to be a good time to reflect on my most memorable fishing trip of 2008.
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Untangling questions about fishing lines
Choosing the right fishing line is often complex and confusing. Line comes in blister packages, boxes and in bulk amounts on small, medium and large spools. It is available in various pound test ratings, colors, diameters, materials and prices.
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December a good time to fish
If the weather cooperates as it has in years past, December will bring plenty of sunshine and warm afternoons. Striper and crappie fishing will peak in time for the holidays. Bass, perch and catfish will also be plentiful. While locations and techniques vary by species, each species can be caught regularly throughout the month.
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NASCAR's trainer's best recipes for striped bass
John Dodson is the Community/NASCAR Relations Director for Mooresville's, NASCAR Technical Institute. When John isn't training NASCAR mechanics, he's striper fishing on Lake Norman. He likes to hook them, but better yet, he loves to cook and eat them. Below are two of John's favorite striped bass recipes.
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Cooler waters prime for catches
Good news! Lake levels are back to normal, gas prices are falling and fishing on Lake Norman is better than it has been in years. Along with football, shopping, eating and holiday visiting, plan to include some fishing trips during the holidays. Take the time to cast a few baits and enjoy some of the best fishing and most beautiful fall colors you have seen on Lake Norman in years.
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Fishing questions answered
Everyone seems to have questions about fishing on Lake Norman!.Some of the most frequently asked questions are addressed below.
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Bridges make fertile fishing areas
Twenty-one bridges crisscross the old Catawba River channel and its feeder creeks. While cars, trucks and trains speed overhead, some of Lake Norman's largest fish lurk in the quiet waters below the bridges.
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Tips for properly reeling in a trophy catch
A big fish is tugging on your line! It jumped, so you think it might be a wall hanger. How well you fight it will determine whether you lose it or consider having it mounted. The following tips might assure that your trophy finds its way to the wall.
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Deep jigging can attract catfish
The yo-yo action of a spoon fished vertically below the boat has tempted saltwater striped bass for decades. Deep jigging has been proven to be equally effective in freshwater lakes. Stripers, bass, white perch and catfish are enticed by this technique.
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No boat? No problem
At certain times of the year, fishing the shoreline of Lake Norman can be quite productive with or without a boat.
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Fishing rods require maintenance
If you try to use a rod and reel that has been stored in the garage for a year or two, you're probably asking for trouble. The trouble usually begins on the first cast when the lure doesn't go anywhere, when a big fish hits and the drag hangs up, or when the reel doesn't crank.
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When, how and where to catch fish on Lake Norman
Fishing on bright summer days with high temperatures and lots of boat traffic can be a challenge, but catching them is not impossible. If you haven't fished Lake Norman lately, you might want to try some "how, when, and where" techniques, courtesy of Capt. Gus Gustafson.
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