Lake Norman hot holes: are bigger stripers actually out of the canal?

[r2002]

Could water in the canal too warm for bigger striper's liking? Any insights?

[madmax]

The water is not too warm for big stripers. The banks along the canal are crowded with fishermen. The hybrids/stripers will school and then run in and out of there chasing bait. It can be hard to get bait pass the smaller fish to the big fish. I never fish in the canal. IMO the bigger fish are caught on the other side of the lake from the hot hole and a mile or two up or down the lake. Watch your temp gauge for where the warmer water is. The wind and current plays a big factor in the direction of the warmer water.There is good fishing on the shoals in front of the hole at times. Somedays there are no hybrid/stripers close to the hot hole. I guess they want colder waters some time.The fish can move 5-8 miles from day to day. If you find birds feeding this time of year you catch fish. If you catch them in one spot today that does not necessarily mean they will be there tomorrow.

Fish-On

[pete]

I used to believe in the hot holes and warmer water temps until i quickly learned that striper love cooler water. you can catch them, however i am a firm believer in cooler water.
the fish on Norman will use the hot holes to make a "false" spawn run in the spring because of the current. come about the time the spring warm up happens in late February, that is when you want to fish the hot holes.!

I have caught some of my biggest fish fishing the hot holes on.....get this, cut Brim. yes, do not be afraid to catch a brim cut his tail off and chunk him out there.

I used to be a die hard hot hole fisherman years ago cutting my teeth at striper fishing until i bought my first boat!

[r2002]

thanks a lot to madmax and pete