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Hey all, I know this may be a bit of a stretch geography-wise, but I figured I'd reach out just in case there's some relevent knowledge floating around the forum.
I'm heading to Lake Norman in NC, just northwest of Charlotte, for a few days beginning March 16th looking to do some bass fishing. I only really picked it because it's further south and should be warmer, despite the potential for rain, and I know that some college tournaments as well as BASS visit the lake due to its size and productivity. I've been bass fishing my entire life, but have never fished so far south, and obviously haven't fished this lake before. I've been keeping an eye on water temp, which has hovered between 52 and 55 degrees. I'm thinking this will mean they are staging to spawn, and with the rain they've dealt with in NC I'm also thinking there may be some stained water to contend with.
My thoughts so far on tactics are to pitch jigs and soft plastics around docks and laydowns, especially if there's a water clarity issue. Largemouth tend to tighten to structure in muddier than usual water, so I want to give that a shot. Additionally, I'd like to check out the jerkbait bite on points and around structure, as well as toss a chatterbait along points and transition areas. I'm thinking of seeking out some of the shallower creeks to find warmer or clearer water. Apparently, Lake Norman typically runs pretty clear, so I'm hoping that's the case, at which point I'd seek out warmer, southern exposure creeks and banks to find warmer water with the hope of picking up some pre-spawners.
If anyone has ever fished Norman, fished NC, or generally has some early season bass fishing tactics I'd love to hear them. I'm going to have 3 full days of fishing there, so I'll be modifying my approach each day depending on results. Thanks in advance for any help!
Matt
I'm heading to Lake Norman in NC, just northwest of Charlotte, for a few days beginning March 16th looking to do some bass fishing. I only really picked it because it's further south and should be warmer, despite the potential for rain, and I know that some college tournaments as well as BASS visit the lake due to its size and productivity. I've been bass fishing my entire life, but have never fished so far south, and obviously haven't fished this lake before. I've been keeping an eye on water temp, which has hovered between 52 and 55 degrees. I'm thinking this will mean they are staging to spawn, and with the rain they've dealt with in NC I'm also thinking there may be some stained water to contend with.
My thoughts so far on tactics are to pitch jigs and soft plastics around docks and laydowns, especially if there's a water clarity issue. Largemouth tend to tighten to structure in muddier than usual water, so I want to give that a shot. Additionally, I'd like to check out the jerkbait bite on points and around structure, as well as toss a chatterbait along points and transition areas. I'm thinking of seeking out some of the shallower creeks to find warmer or clearer water. Apparently, Lake Norman typically runs pretty clear, so I'm hoping that's the case, at which point I'd seek out warmer, southern exposure creeks and banks to find warmer water with the hope of picking up some pre-spawners.
If anyone has ever fished Norman, fished NC, or generally has some early season bass fishing tactics I'd love to hear them. I'm going to have 3 full days of fishing there, so I'll be modifying my approach each day depending on results. Thanks in advance for any help!
Matt
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