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I am going to meet my son to fish next weekend and the half way point is around Hickory NC. It's about a 4 hour drive and was wondering if someone would please get us started in the right direction. I was looking at fishing one of these three lakes or even maybe Wylie. Help please??
Right now they seem to have lockjaw on Hickory and Rhodhiss!! Maybe and hopefully by the time you get here and go fishing they will be biting. Have fished on both lakes hard the past two weeks with no luck. Water temps are still in the mid to high 50s, just not warmed up enough to bring em to the banks, but with some warmer weather on the way I hope the water will warm and get em started to the banks!!
Ditto to above post. water is very clear on hickory and still a little too cool. I found some fish over a creek channel in heavy brush last week but bite was slow. this was on Hickory. Norman might be a better choice as the water is warmer and a little dingier. Try the state park area.
Plan on Wylie if you can. You'll catch more and bigger fish. I enjoy the lakes you mention because they are less developed and less crowded. There are no prettier lakes, in the Carolinas, than James and Rhodhiss.
thanks, as always can count on guys on crappie.com
Lake James has lockjaw as well, no luck the past 2 weeks, water was mid 50's monday.
Unless you are familiar with the upper reaches of the Catawba river side of Lake James you should count it out. I lived and guided on Lake James for many years and I will admit its one of the most beautiful lakes we have in NC, but unless you really do your homework I would recommend concentrating on Lake Hickory, Lake Norman or Wylie. The surface temp for Hickory should be in the low 60's by Saturday and those fish will be active from 3 to 15' and should be suspended up high in the water column. If you choose Hickory, concentrate in the back half of creeks where baitfish (threadfin shad) are present. If you choose Norman or Wylie concentrate on creeks where baitfish are present and you will find fish trolling (spider rig trolling) and also around docks with brush. Look for fish 2 to 10' deep.
Thanks for the info, looks like we're going to try Wylie on Saturday.Quote:
Originally Posted by catawbalakesguide