Gill-T

Like many other NYers, much of our family and friends have moved to NC. Always good to visit the state to feel the heat again and to gain perspective of life outside of NY while exploring outdoor pursuits. This trip was to spend time with my younger brother and check on a new to us fishery at Lake Hickory. Beater 1970’s StarCraft acquired for $1,000 a month before the trip. Transom was shot which left little time for my brother to slap a new one in with temps warm enough to do glass work. Work on the boat finished two days prior to my arrival. We would be placing our trust in an old Johnson 25 hp outboard with a failing shift cable but hey …..we all need a little adventure in our dull lives. Lake Hickory is a river system comprised of many dams. Like all of NC, it is an explosion of growth and new builds. The houses that line the lake are outrageous. Our stay included a three night stay in a VBRO with a huge dock (a must). The goal was to catch Striped Bass and anything else that would bite. To prevent writing a novel I will summarize by saying we experienced quality over quantity. Stripers were caught trolling A-rigs with three inch paddle tails off planer boards, catfish caught on bluegills at night, bluegills caught on worms, bass caught on swimbaits and blade baits. Great trip but it really makes you appreciate the fisheries we have back home. Bass boats everywhere down there pounding the docks. You REALLY have to work for your fish. The trip finished on the Green River near my brother’s house. This poor river made headlines during Hurricane Helene which turned a blue ribbon trout stream into a deadly torrent of mud. The stream will take 100 years before all the sand is gone.

Congrats!

Anyone tries these?

A true prespawn gathering with the lot split 50/50 males to females. My guess is the group off Huron will be closer to the bass islands by this weekend.

Three man limit by 1 pm. Tail dancers and bandits. 50/50 method w/ 1,1.5, or 2 oz weight

First of the year. Second line out. Fishing out of Huron

God willing we are starting the season tomorrow launching out of Ohio.

FishUSA had a sale over bassmaster classic weekend on Rapala items. I decided the deal was too good so I bought every DT model + a squarebill for my bass arsenal. Looking at them I can’t help but think I could probably catch browns on them. I have some hot’n’tots that I put out each time but I am almost out of the old discontinued clear bill models so looking for an alternative. Anyone using cranks for browns?

Looks like game on in Ohio. No ice issues

Great trip loaded with memories!

The mouth of the Catt has been open for two weeks. Boats will be challenged to launch at Hanover town launch as a large gravel bar has formed between the launch and island. They will have to dredge for sure. The DEC launch is usable

Finally a fishing report to look at. Thank god the season is under way. Thanks for posting.

Thank you for being the sacrificial lamb and then letting everyone know the conditions. Much appreciated! Better days ahead

Dr Weidel, has there been any look at any sort of correlation between salinity of the Niagara flow and alewife hatch rates? Just wondering if during a long prolonged winter, would there be a benefit to an ocean going fish like alewives to exist and spawn in water with higher salt content?