February 2018 Archives - Carolina Sportsman

A built-in 1/4-ounce leadhead and painted on glow eyes are just two features of Egret’s new Vudu Vixen.

The Vudu Vixen

Speckled trout and other saltwater species feed on shrimp and baitfish, shad, mullet, cocahoes and more. […]

A former bank building in Bryson City is the new home of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians.

Fly-fishing museum gets a new life

After losing its lease in a building in downtown Cherokee, N.C., and not being offered an alternative site by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians has re-established itself in nearby Bryson City. […]

Angler Wyn Mullins believes that February might be the best time to catch a huge, prespawn bass on the Santee Cooper lakes, Marion or Moultrie.

February is big-bass time

Terry Madewell

While many anglers wait until March to begin bass fishing at the Santee Cooper lakes, they are missing out on some hot prespawn activity by these fish. […]

Weather conditions in February can vary to extremes during a single fishing trip, so dress accordingly and carry the correct clothing.

Play the weather, but stay warm

Mike Marsh

While high winds and bitter cold in the weather forecast may make some faint-of-heart anglers stay at home, anglers who pay acute attention to weather reports and prepare for them can use these fast-moving cold fronts to their advantage. […]

Marking fish arcs along pronounced bottom structure like a ledge or hump shows why trusting your depth finder is a big key in catching big winter blue catfish.

Trust your electronics for big catfish

Terry Madewell

Guide Justin Whiteside of Rock Hill trusts his electronics to depict exactly where fish are located and where to present his baits. […]

As long as the water temperature is at 50 degrees or higher, redfish will remain very active through the winter.

Winter kayak fishing requires extra safety precautions

Jerry Dilsaver

Anglers must be more diligent when fishing from kayaks during winter. Things that might merely be unpleasant when the air and water are slightly warmer can become life-threatening when the temperature drops. […]

Lake Monticello will produce plenty of healthy, chunky blue cats for anglers like guide William Attaway.

Float position can help trigger catfish bites on a drift

Terry Madewell

Guide William Attaway said a lot of fishermen prefer to drift-fish and typically will use a standard drift rig that typically works well. […]

A big chunk of white perch is one of a handful of great winter baits for Lake Monticello’s blue catfish.

Use different baits for big Monticello blues

Terry Madewell

Guide Justin Whiteside said he begins each day using a variety of different baits to determine what’s working best. […]

Monofilament and fluorocarbon lines each have their supporters, based on different tasks that the two lines perform better.

Fluoro vs. Mono. Who wins?

Tony Garitta

Fluorocarbon fishing line is relatively news. It was introduced in the 1970s compared to monofilament, which has been around since the 1930s. But which one is better? […]

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s decision to replace striped bass with hybrid bass in Lake Norman has paid off for guide Bob Curan.

Tagged hybrid program continues

Tony Garitta

Fishing for hybrid bass aka Bodie bass, at Lake Norman is not only rewarding in itself, but it could actually pay off in cash. […]