Anglers targeting Lake Gaston’s blue catfish have four baitfish choices. Anyone with a cast net can catch these baitfish, which are also available at local bait-and-tackle shops, but fishermen like guide Don Enderle know where to throw their nylon.
The prime catfish baitfish used while anchored or slowly drifting are alewives, aka blueback herring. Because Gaston is a landlocked impoundment, anglers can use any size of herring or alewife.
“But good luck finding a big one in a lake,” said Kirk Rundle, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “In the (Roanoke) river, North Carolina allows people to use a herring or alewife that’s six inches long or less. In Virginia, the impoundment rule is the same — any size herring is OK — but you can’t use a herring in any of their coastal rivers.”
The second-best catfish chunk bait for Enderle probably is gizzard shad. They are easily fileted and impaled on circle hooks make great catfish baits. The smaller is threadfin shad are the most common on Gaston; they’re smaller but readily eaten by catfish. Bass shiners, bought at tackle shops, are a fourth option.
But with catfish baits, whatever floats your boat seems to work.
“I know a couple of old fellows who fish from the bank with 16-foot cane poles, corks and five feet of line, and they catch the fire out of catfish,” he said. “They used greasy, cheap hot dog (chunks) for bait.”
Be the first to comment