Sometimes The Fish Just Do Not Bite

This past week has been one of those times when for some unknown reason, the Bass just don't want to bite. For the past few weeks the bite has been great and it seems that the fish were everywhere, suddenly the rains came and the fish simply stopped biting and for the most part I couldn't even find them on my sonar. I have always believed that whern there is a significant change in any of the weather elements that surround the fish, it take three days to get everything settled down and the fish to start biting again. The water has warmed to nearly 55 degrees, we got a lot of rain last week and the winds have been strong for several days. All three of these elements cobined have turned the fish off. If my theory is correct, tomorrow (wednesday) should see the Bass start biting again. We'll see.

Mac Byrum is Still Hammering the Blue Cats

Mac Byrum is on the lake nearly every day searching for new honey holes for his guide clients. This sunday was no exception. This photo is only one of the big boys that Macs cient boated. Most of the fish were in the 15 to 20 pound range. The garlic soaked chicken is still working.

Ken Spatz is Learning

Ken Spatz landed this three pound spotted bass today while fishing with me in Reeds Creek. Fishing was not great but this size fish helps reduce the pain.

Good Luck Howie

Last night was Howie's last stand fishing on Lake Norman. We sent Howie off by letting Lou Mintzer catch this 5 pound Striper and I brought in a nice crappie. The crappie were swarming all around but most evaded our bait although we did get a few. We all wish Howie the best of luck, shoot straight and fish often in Tennessee.

Peacock Bass Experience

If you would like to read about our Peacock Bass fishing experience you can read it at http://www.odumagazine.com/

Why mac is my co-author

In case you are wondering why I selected Mac Byrum as my co-author for The Catfish Hunters,

take a look at these photos of a portion of todays catch on Lake Norman. Mac put us on fish and in less than three hours we boated 100 pounds of Blue catfish. One at 21 pounds and several in the 15 to 17 pound range. One triple header and one double header. They don't come any better than Mac on Lake Norman.

Not bad for a couple of hours

Today wasn't the best day for fishing in terms of human comfort, cold raw and windy, with overcast skies, but indeed it was a fine day for catching. I had Dr. Rich Doering and Lou Mintzer on the boat and we caught 17 nice Spotted Bass. With the exception of these five fish, all were returned to the lake to be caught aother day. Nice fishinf guys.

Thinking about "Windrows"

In my first book "Jakes Take on The lake" I mentioned the effects of windrows which are caused by continuing winds that stir up the water along defined lines in the water. After windy and sometimes rainy days, you can see the color change in the water where these line are created. To the naked eye it looks like clear water on one side and murky water on the other. In theory predator fish will often gather in the clear water waiting for small bait fish to swim out of the murky water whare they are attacked and eaten. Fishing outside these windrows should produce nice fish.

I recently was fishing in a cove where they were dredging a new dock. I thought that this activity was going to ruin the fishing in that area of the cove.As I aproached the dredging site I began to see the murky water and it became obvious on my Sonar. A well defined line appeared on the surface and the Sonar was crowded with interference from the silt that was being disturbed. As I turned to leave the area I began to see many smaller fish in the silt area, and as I exited into clear water there were dozens of big fish lurking and clearly defined on the sonar. I took photos of my sonar screen but for the first time in many uears, these three photos were lost when transfering them to my computer. When the bait that I was trolling reached these fish I got a multiple hit and boated 3 nice Bass.

This situation in not exactly a "windrow" situation but it represents the same theory. The big predator fish hang out in the clear water outside these areas waiting for an easy meal. They know that the dredging is stirring up many new nutrients that are eatable and also attract bait fish. SO! don't be scared away when you see dredging being done, it could be a signal of a good fishing area. Also try to fish the "windrows" when you see them, it might improve your catch rate.

Not a bad day Mac!

Yesterday morning,all of the indicators were that fishing would be lousy. It had rained the night before, the moon was completely full, and the air temperature was bordering on uncomfortable. But Mac Byrum hit one of his favorite spots anyway and look what he got in a couple of hours. Nearly 100 pounds of Blue Catfish. Good going Mac, it looks like you really did read our book.

Who Said That Catfish Don't Bite In Cold Water

We may not be having a very cold winter here in North Carolina but whatever the temperature, Mac Byrum can make the big ones bite. This 35.5 pound monster Blue Catfish was pulled out of Lake Norman by Mac today, 2/2/2012 using his secret garlic chicken bait. It was caught in 14 feet of water, is 39 inches long with a 27 inch girth, Good job Mac, we won't ask you where you caught it. Plenty of this stuff in our new book. Check it out at http://www.jakestakeonfishing.com/.