Features from February 2019
Hunters in both Carolinas tagged plenty of trophy bucks during the 2018 season. Here are some of the best.- Many anglers wait for March to break out their tackle, but they’re missing out on some great action, especially for the gigantic bass that cruise Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion.
- When crappie go deep during extremely cold weather to find suitable water conditions, try this vertical trolling tactic.
- The Waccamaw River: a sleeper crappie destination for winter Carolina anglers.
- There’s no bigger factor than the weather when it comes to winter trout fishing in North Carolina’s inshore waters.
Columns - February 2019
- Few places exist where you can fish for trout with elk looking over your shoulder, and few streams in western North Carolina contain more brook trout than rainbows or brown trout. Cataloochee Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is such a place.
- During the winter, look for areas of water that are warmer than surrounding water. These "hot holes" hold baitfish and gamefish, and they don't always occur where most anglers think they do.
- February starts off cold on the Santee Cooper lakes, but as the month progresses, temperatures warm, pushing fish into an early spring pattern.
- Hunters should review their logs and scribble out a new food-plot plan that includes improvements to soil, weed control, seed selection and other activities for better results.
- Anglers in the Carolinas look forward to spring fishing, but February is also a great month, especially for anglers who fish for shad.
- This quail dish is a treat for bird hunters, even if they didn't have much luck in the field. The rice will carry this stretch this meal so everyone gets their fill.
- In late February and early March, bass in the Carolinas are getting ready to spawn. They'll head to the shallows and bite slow-moving lures.
Outdoor Update - February 2019
- After finding and handling a black bear that tested positive for rabies, a Hyde County, N.C. hunting guide has received the rabies vaccination.
- The NCWRC hoped to stock redfish a/k/a red drum, in Hyco Lake to help control the population of tilapia, but their studies determined redfish would not survive due to the quality of water hardness in the reservoir.
Field Notes - February 2019
- Follow these tips before putting your firearms away, and they'll be clean and ready when the next hunting season rolls around.
Hot Spots - February 2019
- Fishermen on North Carolina’s Fontana Lake have a great chance of catching their biggest smallmouth bass ever.
- While many anglers fish the shallows of the Cooper River for bass during February, most anglers will have more success if they concentrate on structure in deeper areas of this lowcountry river.
- Sunlight and wind direction will push crappie on Falls Lake shallow this time of year, but many anglers don't think to look for them in such shallow water this early in the season.
- Anglers can find redfish in large schools in the Georgetown, S.C. area in February, and the fish are willing to bite, especially at high tide. Live bait is a great choice, but soft plastics will also work well on most days.
- During February, the striper fishing on Lake Hartwell can be unpredictable, thanks to the weather. But following these tips can help you catch your share.
- Shad fishing in eastern North Carolina is in full swing during February, and the Tar River and its tributaries are great spots to catch your share of hickory shad as well as American shad.
- Rodger Taylor catches plenty of big blue catfish on Lake Wylie during the winter months, and he does it by thinking the opposite of what many other anglers do.
- It's tough to beat the wahoo bite this time of year when fishing out of Little River Inlet. They key is finding tight temperature breaks along the Gulf Stream.
- Tips for February catfish fishing at South Carolina’s Lake Wateree.
- The bays around Fort Fisher are perfect spots for winter redfish. It's a great place for anglers to target because the water is shallow, warms quickly, and offers safe haven for gamefish.