Lake Norman over New Years

[Megastink]

heading out after them. I'm heading down to spend New Years with my cousins in North Carolina. I've never caught a Spotted Bass before and my cousin and I are heading out after them. What should I be throwing, and where should begin my search for my first spot???

[lo n slo]

surface water temps are running in the mid 50's right now and the lake is down over 6' from full pool. you can find warmer water temps near the Plant Marshall "hot hole" below the 150 bridge. we have been catching them up river near the state park but i feel that many are schooled up now and doing the winter thing as the bite has slowed down somewhat. i know some guys do well throwing crank baits but i prefer smaller plastics in green pumpkin or june bug. i aint no expert by any means. just my 2 cents. good luck and be careful.

[Megastink]

12 minutes ago, lo n slo said:

surface water temps are running in the mid 50's right now and the lake is down over 6' from full pool. you can find warmer water temps near the Plant Marshall "hot hole" below the 150 bridge. we have been catching them up river near the state park but i feel that many are schooled up now and doing the winter thing as the bite has slowed down somewhat. i know some guys do well throwing crank baits but i prefer smaller plastics in green pumpkin or june bug. i aint no expert by any means. just my 2 cents. good luck and be careful.

This is great info, thanks!

 

can you elaborate on what exactly their "Winter thing" is? Where will they be schooled up?

[TnRiver46]

Drop shot, shakey head, and grub or fluke on 1/8 jig head. Not sure about current conditions on lake Norman but spots doing their winter thing is suspending over deep water following schools of shad 

[lo n slo]

TnRiver46 is on top of it alright. deeper schooling fish can move around with the bait and can be difficult to pin down. you can always fish docks and points in the "hot hole" or try locating bait/fish on your electronics in some of the main creeks on Norman....Hicks, Rocky, Stumpy creeks are north of the 150 bridge. McCreary creek (just south) can be good when you have a southerly fetch blowing warmer surface water, from the hot hole, towards its banks. Hagers and Mountain creeks, a little further south are good as well. venture towards the lower end of the lake and i am not going to be able to help you much. but i can tell you this, BE VERY CAREFUL navigating the lower end of Norman during these low water conditions. numerous sand bars and shallow flats can spell doom for those unfamiliar with the lake.

[Red Bear]

http://cryptozoologynews.com/reptile-like-creature-spotted-in-north-carolina/

 

http://cryptozoologynews.com/park-ranger-and-coworker-spot-nessie-like-creature/

 

keep your eyes open out there...

[Megastink]

Guys,

 

Thank you you all for the advice! New Year's Day was rainy and cold. Main lake temps in the high 40's. After hours of fishing, my guide (cousin, haha) took me to the Hot Hole where water temps were around 60* and the spots were busting shad on the surface. We didn't have a lot of time, but I did catch my first Spotted Bass on a KVD 300 jerkbait. I appreciate all the advice that helped me cross this species off my bucket list.

 

Tight Lines in 2017!