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Speckled perch a good catch year-round in LKN
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Published: January 22, 2009
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.
When spawning is complete, crappies will move off the banks and locate near bridge pilings, boat houses and submerged brush piles. They are very active when the surface water cools after dark. Night fishermen use lanterns and fluorescent lights to attract bait fish, which in turn, attract crappies and other predators. Green glow lights, suspended above or below the water, work well. Lights are available in lengths from 12" to 48." They not only attract fish, but also illuminate the fishing area, which makes it easier to maneuver in the dark.
Boathouses offer shade, cover and cool water conditions that crappie enjoy. Many anglers pitch jigs around boathouse door openings. If you can fish from within a boat house, that's even better.
Under the cover of darkness, serious crappie fishermen sink Christmas trees and other woody debris to form underwater brush piles. They only fish these "secret" holes when the area is void of other crappie fishermen. Christmas trees are popular, but they deteriorate more quickly than hardwood brush and must be replenished every year.
Small reels on long fiberglass fishing rods have all but replaced the once popular cane pole. Either will catch crappies on light line with an adjustable float and a tiny jig or minnow. A light-weight closed faced spinning outfit is also effective when fishing under boat docks and near partially submerged brush.
The key to catching crappie is to fish "gently." Move the bait ever so slowly, give the fish plenty of time to nibble, and play it carefully to the boat. The larger the crappie, the more likely its body weight will pull the small hook from its soft mouth.
The state creel limit for crappie is 20 per angler per day, with an 8" minimum size limit on Lake Norman. Crappie can grow to 8" in length within twelve months. After that, the weight gain slows to about 1" per year. Large crappie (12" or more) are known as "slabs." Slabs are prized by fishermen for their great fighting ability on light tackle.
Crappie fishing is a family sport and a culinary delight. Give it a try!
Tips from Capt. Gus
Experiment with different colors and jig tails to lure crappies. At times, fish prefer twister tails over tubes, or jigs dressed with Malibu hair. When all else fails, use a plain jig-head tipped with a live minnow.
Upcoming events:
• A free seminar, "Learning How To Use Your Depth Finder To Catch More Fish" is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at Gander Mountain (704-658- 0822), Mooresville. Lake Norman Fishing Guide Capt. Gus Gustafson and author Jake Bussollini will lead the discussion. For additional information, call 704-658-0822.
• On Thursday, Feb. 14, Light House Marine Services will offer its first Boater Safety Course of the new boating season. The registration fee for this eight-hour session beginning at 9 p.m. is $49. The will be held at Morning Star Marina in Cornelius. To register, or for more information, call Lt. Scott Spivey at 704-587-0325.
• A Free seminar on "How to Catch LKN Striped Bass" will be held at Gander Mountain in Mooresville at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25. This two-hour session will be conducted by fishing guide Capt. Craig Price and myself. For additional information call 704-658-0822.
Hot spots
The Hot Spots of the Week are the creek and river channels where stripers, bass and perch are locating in water 20 to 70 feet deep. The warmer water on both sides of the Highway 150 Bridge is concentrating baitfish and stripers alike.
The lake level is currently 3.6 below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the 40s in most areas that are not effected by the hot water being discharged from either of the lake's two power plants.
Capt. Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is a Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Norman. Call 704-617- 6812 for additional information.
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