Lake Gaston

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

Does anyone have any tips for LAke Gaston in North Carolina in late March or early April. I am representing Tennessee in the 11-14 division in the BASS Jr Southern Regional there. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys and Gals

[bnitrob]

Shallow crankbaits, jigs, lizards, and SHAKEY HEADS!!!!!!!!! Last year we came down around spring break which was the first week in april and we slaughtered them on shakey heads. Specifically a black trick worm. Caught over 100 fish in 5 days up to 5 lbs. We had 4-5 banks and points where we knew they would be. Check out peahill creek, and look for the banks that get sun first.

[Sam]

Senkos - Wacky Rigged under docks and piers.

Shaky Head - A must!

Crankbaits - Shad. Ghost Minnow and Sexy Shad.

Spinnerbaits - Something with blue in the skirt.

Worms - Anything goes.

Rage Tails - Give 'em a try in the grasses.

Jigs - Work 'em around docks and piers and mouths of creeks.

Topwaters - Don't forget your buzzbaits and topwaters in the AM.

Here are some excerpts from an article on Buggs and Gaston in the April, 2008 Bassin' Magazine:

Lake Gaston does not rise and fall very much. Usually not more than a foot at a time.

The lake is mostly clear.  

Gaston has hydrilla and aquatic grass.

The shoreline is developed so you will have lots of docks and piers to fish.

Gaston seems to produce better on the lower end in the spring.  More creeks and channels and the fish are starting to spawn.

The bass will be moving into the creeks so fish them about half way into them.  If they are there, you will catch them.

Try to cover as much water as you can. Look for areas where a big group of bass are moving out of deep water ito the shallows to feed.

Look for bass anywhere from 3 to 8 feet deep with a shallow or medium running crankbait. Model A's Bombers, Bandit, Lucky Crafts are good.

On the lower end where you have hydrilla you need to throw a spinnerbait as the lake is clear.

Try Pea Hill Creek and Lee's Hamlin and Sledge creeks.

Look for the pine trees and sandy bank for spawning.

Try your luck finding where the bass have moved up to feed.  If you catch one bass, there should be more around.

Docks can be fantastic and there are so many of them. Fish the banks where the bass are moving.

In April, you can move up lake and fish for aggressive, prespawn bass, or sty on the lower end and start to hunt for the early spawners.  This entails fishing a floating worm, fluke or tube, skipping them under docks and sight-fishing for spawners.

If you go up lake into the stained water, use a spinnerbait, Chatterbait or jig.  More power fishing.  

Upper lake is from Six Pound Creek to Kerr Dam.

On either end, look for the hydrilla as it comes out of its dormant period. (Lost a big one two years ago at the mouth of Popular Creek throwing a Bandit 200 shad crankbait.  I could not control her and my line popped.  She is probably in Chicago by now.  Friend in boat landed a 6.5 lunker across from where I lost mine.)

Try to find grass.  Bass will stay with the grass on Gaston.

Can you direct the boat operator as to where you want to fish?

If so, let me know!!!!      

I can fax a copy of the article to you if your parents have a fax machine in their offices.  Just let me know.  

Or I can scan the article and send it to you.

Good luck.  

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

yes. all the boat captain does is just drive the outboard and make sure we stay safe. That would be awesome if you could send it to me.   :) just PM and i'll give you my e-mail. Thanks Sam!   :)

[fish4life6]

hey,

i got a lake house up there.  last spring/summer i caught bout 3 or 4, 5 to 7 pound lunkers back in the cove past the timberlodge.  fish up around the shore with some spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

also i know that if you go to very back of the cove there will be a bridge on the right, and if you go under it there will be some power line poles and hydrilla.  it is a prime spot around those two where those two meet.

[TravisVirginiaAngler]

Giving it a go next Thursday this thread was helpful! Going Shaky head, black trick worm, creature baits on a wobble head, jigs and crankbaits. Def going to throw some top water frogs in the am at sunrise too!

[Sam]

On ‎4‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 7:04 PM, TravisVirginiaAngler said:

Giving it a go next Thursday this thread was helpful! Going Shaky head, black trick worm, creature baits on a wobble head, jigs and crankbaits. Def going to throw some top water frogs in the am at sunrise too!

 

Jigs and pigs plus Carolina rig, please.

 

Look for any laydowns you come upon.

 

Have fun and be safe.

[A. M. Welch]

.what to throw on the Carolina rig? also, is black the best color in the spring for soft plastics?

.if you had to choose one, crankbaits or spinnerbaits?

.my grandpa only uses soft plastic flukes, your opinion?

.also, what would be your #1 lure for docks?

thank you.