Fishing with Gus: Lures fascinate fishermen, as well as the fish

On a recent bass fishing trip, an angler changed lures a dozen times in the first half hour. During the same period, others were catching fish and didn’t switch once.

When asked why he was switching so frequently, the fish-less angler replied, “This is what I do when I go fishing. I spend endless hours and lots of money buying lures, and this is how I get my enjoyment.”

It didn’t seem to matter that everyone else was catching fish. His fishing trip was about casting, retrieving and experimenting with the shiny new lures he had purchased.

While using lures that are suitable for the conditions and species being targeted is important, it goes without saying that the lure must swim close enough for a fish to see, hear or smell it in order for it to strike. If you don’t believe this, try casting your favorite bass lure into a swimming pool and see how many fish you catch. However, successful anglers do not depend solely on the lure itself, but also on technique – and on being in the right place at the right time.

It’s not only bass fishermen who change lures frequently. Trout fishermen change patterns and colors until they “match the hatch.” While most would rather buy than tie their own flies, some derive as much satisfaction from tying and showing off their collection as they do from catching trout.

There are fishermen who can recite the name, manufacturer, stock number, size and color of every lure they’ve ever caught a fish on; others tinker with lures to make them look different or swim better. Some even have a stash of paint bottles and nail polish with them to change lure colors while fishing. To this group, it’s all about the lures and not about the fish.

Finally, there are anglers who regularly catch fish with the same handful of lures over and over again. For whatever reason, their “go-to” lures usually catch fish. Somehow they have figured out the right color combination, size, shape or swimming action to catch fish. Regardless of whether they use something as simple as a 6-inch pumpkin seed colored floating worm or an Alabama Rig, the common thread is their confidence in a few lures that produce fish trip after trip.

Fishing lures are like are like friends. Choose them carefully.

Tips from Capt. Gus

Cold weather bass are more likely to strike a slow-moving lure than one zipping through the water.

Event

Free Fishing Seminar: “The Fish in Lake Norman” is a session on how to identify, locate and catch them throughout the year. Jake Bussolini and I will conduct this seminar on Wednesday, January 16th at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, in Mooresville, NC. 704-658-0822.

Hot Spots of the Week

Anglers fishing under low-flying and diving sea birds are catching quick limits of spotted bass, lots of white perch and an occasional striper or hybrid. Ramsey, Reed, Mountain and Stumpy Creeks have had the most fish in recent weeks. Hardy fishermen are finding largemouth bass, spots, crappie, perch and a few stripers under lighted docks after dark.

Lake levels

The water level on Lake Norman is about 4.2 feet below full pond and 3.5 feet below on Mountain Island Lake. The surface water temperature is in the 50s in water not affected by power generation.