Water temperatures stable, fish feeding aggressively
Plenty of anglers choose to sit at home on the coldest months of the year, and while they may be nice and toasty inside their homes, they are missing out on some of the best fishing of the year. This is true all across the Carolinas, including on Lake Norman, where the striper and hybrid are biting aggressively right now.
Capt. Craig Price of Fish On! Guide Service, said the striper and hybrid fishing is just now getting good, thanks to the water temperatures stabilizing.
“The winter water temps have finally reached normal range for this time of year, mid- to high-40s. Active schools of hybrids are feeding aggressively along the main river channel, with stripers, spotted bass, and large white perch in the same areas,” said Price.
Mulitple hook rigs, such as Alabama Rigs, are working well, especially when used with 1/4-ounce jigheads and 3- or 4-inch swimbait bodies, said Price. Bucktails and Roadrunners are working too, and anglers can up their chances by adding worm or curly-tailed trailers to them, he said.
For anglers who can sit tight and stay over the fish, vertical jigging with lures like spoons are also working well, and live bait is tough to beat too, according to Price.
When it comes to colors, Price said shad and herring colors are always good choices, but he also likes some of the brighter colors.
“I like the Saltwater Assassin colors Chicken on a Chain, and Hot Chicken. When in doubt, use red on white, or chartreuse,” he said.
His most productive days have come when the weather is cloudy. He said catching 30 fish in a morning has been about average. Price (704-996-0946) also guides on Lake Hickory, Mountain Island Lake, Lookout Shoals Lake, and Lake Rhodhiss.
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