February 2014 Archives - Page 2 of 6

Delayed-harvest menu

The following streams are in the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s delayed-harvest program: […]

Fish live minnows around brushpiles in big creeks in the mid-lake area for nice winter crappie on Lake Russell.

When guide Wendell Wilson sees what he likes on his depth finder when fishing for multiple species, he immediately drops a marker buoy, tossing it off to the side of the spot so it won’t spook the fish but will give him a reference point. […]

Yellow perch are an overlooked fish on Lake Russell, where they are a big part of a great, deep-water winter fishery.

Russell’s unique fishery for yellow perch

Terry Madewell

Guide Wendell Wilson said the most-unique fish he catches is the yellow perch, and winter is a good time to catch a bunch of these fish on any given day. […]

A pair of needlenose pliers is invaluable when removing tiny treble hooks from the mouth of a toothy critter like a pickerel.

Pliers can save your skin

Mike Marsh

When fishing at White Lake, anglers should have a mechanical means of safely removing small, sharp treble hooks from fish. […]

Wendell WIlson shows off the kind of multi-species winter stringer he expects Lake Russell to produce: crappie, yellow and white perch and spotted bass.

A typical multi-species February day on Russell

Terry Madewell

Guide Wendell Wilson said when fishing for multiple species in February, there’s no need to get out early. The mid-day is just as good because the fish are so deep. […]

Butch Foster likes to use marker buoys to mark the spots where he gets strikes while trolling at White Lake.

Marker buoys are big help

Mike Marsh

White Lake has very little bottom structure to attract or hold concentrations of fish concentrations. […]

A circle hook, a big chunk of white perch and a 3-ounce sinker make up a standard rig that catches trophy Lake Wateree blue cats day-in and day-out during the winter.

Big baits for big February catfish

Terry Madewell

Jason Knight said he is a big believer in big bait for big fish year-round, especially in February. […]

Naturally occurring aquatic plants will offer waterfowl a more complete, longer-lasting buffet than do grains planted in impoundments that are only temporarily flooded.

Jump-start impoundments

Jeff Burleson

For the landowner ready to covert a section of property over to a moist-soil management regime or a permanent aquatic community, specific plantings will jump-start the impoundment and attract have ducks in the first year. […]

Boat docks and piers literally line most of Lake Norman’s shoreline, and they’re great spots to target late-winter bass entering the prespawn.

Plenty of opportunity

David A. Brown

Lake Norman’s 32,475 surface acres, multiple creek arms and numerous coves offers a lot of areas in which to seek these February prespawners. […]

Records from the Catawba Catfish Club bear out statements from Clay Henderson and Jason Knight (right) that Lake Wateree’s best month for big blue catfish is February.

February’s big-cat data

Terry Madewell

According to Dieter Melhorn of the Catawba Catfish Club, the ”perfect storm” situation for big catfish occurred in February 2010 in a tournament at Lake Wateree. Three of the club’s biggest catches ever were made in that tournament. […]