GUS GUSTAFSON
Now that you've had time to read the instruction manuals that came with your big-boy Christmas toys, here are a few suggestions.
• New boat: If you were fortunate enough to receive a boat for Christmas, congratulations! That's quite a gift. The next step is to learn how to trailer, dock and navigate it. Experience takes time but is the best teacher.
The learning process can be jump-started by taking advantage of on-the-water instructions provided by the boat dealer. Seek additional hands-on training from friends familiar with operating a boat in the waters you will be cruising.
Most importantly, enroll the entire family in a basic boater safety course. There are several such programs scheduled throughout the year.
• Sonar/GPS: Determining which buttons to push and how to interpret the readings on a sonar or GPS screen can be difficult and confusing. My advice is to have the unit professionally installed and study the manual. Read the instructions several times, but don't try to memorize them.
Once the installation is complete, turn the unit on and watch the display screen change as you press various keypad buttons.
Most units have a simulator mode that allows you to become familiar with the unit without disturbing the factory settings. As you become more comfortable with the unit's operation, you will find it easier to delve deeper into its functions.
Manufacturers, including Lowrance, Garmin and Hummingbird, provide simulator programs online, an easy way to learn and explore when not on the boat. Newcomers to marine electronics should be satisfied if they learn one or two functions from each session. The more time spent working with the unit, the higher your comfort level. Technical assistance is available during normal working hours by calling the toll-free number in the instruction manual.
• Underwater video camera: A new world awaits those who received a big boy's underwater camera. The problem with cameras is that the angler spends more time playing with it than fishing.
After reading the manual, carefully lower the camera to the desired water depth. Don't be surprised with what you see or don't see.
The camera is best used to view underwater structure, particularly when fishing new water. More expensive units will clearly show rocks, stumps, brush and other submerged objects, including fish. Leave the fish finding to your sonar unit and the bait on your line.
• Bait tank: Bait tanks are quite expensive, but are far better than trying to keep shad and herring alive in a boat's built-in live well. Ten- to 50-gallon oval tanks are used by area striper fishermen to keep baits lively for long periods of time.
Fragile forage fish will live for days in a properly maintained recirculating bait tank. Best results are achieved when lake or well water is used. Don't use city water since it contains chemicals that will kill most bait.
Once you have filled the tank, turn on the pump and adjust the air/water flow valve until you see a steady stream of very small bubbles. Next, add salt. How much is debatable.
Begin with a half-pound for each 10 gallons of water. Salt calms and soothes stressed baits. Clean the filter and replace a third of the water each time the water becomes dirty.
Upcoming events
• Join me at the Bass Pro Shops, Concord Mills Mall, to learn how to catch white perch in Lake Norman. For fast action and good eating, the schooling white perch is hard to beat. I will show proven methods that will make your next trip the best ever. This 90-minute seminar is free and open to the public. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Details: 704-979-2200.• The Lake Norman Striper Swipers Open Winter Classic Tournament is scheduled for Jan. 27. First-place prize is $1,500. This biggest one-day striper fishing event of the season will be at Queen's Landing, highway N.C. 150 in Mooresville. For more information, visit www.lnssfishn.com or call Tommy Messick at 704-634-6410.
• Lake Norman fishing guides Craig Price and Mac Byrum will conduct a seminar on "How to Catch LKN Stripers and Catfish," 3 p.m. Feb. 3 at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville. This 90-minute discussion is free and open to the public. Details: 704-658-0827.
Tips from Gus
Wire your electronic units to a battery other than the one used to start the boat engine. By connecting to a separate battery, electrical interference will be reduced and the unit will not shut down while the engine is being started.
Hot Spot of the Week
The Hot Spot of the week is Mountain Creek. Stripers are hitting live baits on the surface at daylight, and baits fished 15 to 30 feet below the surface throughout the day.
Striper and bass fishing has been good to very good. The lake level is one foot below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the low 50s.
Fishing Gus
Now that you've had time to read the instruction manuals that came with your big-boy Christmas toys, here are a few suggestions.
• New boat: If you were fortunate enough to receive a boat for Christmas, congratulations! That's quite a gift. The next step is to learn how to trailer, dock and navigate it. Experience takes time but is the best teacher.
The learning process can be jump-started by taking advantage of on-the-water instructions provided by the boat dealer. Seek additional hands-on training from friends familiar with operating a boat in the waters you will be cruising.
Most importantly, enroll the entire family in a basic boater safety course. There are several such programs scheduled throughout the year.
• Sonar/GPS: Determining which buttons to push and how to interpret the readings on a sonar or GPS screen can be difficult and confusing. My advice is to have the unit professionally installed and study the manual. Read the instructions several times, but don't try to memorize them.
Once the installation is complete, turn the unit on and watch the display screen change as you press various keypad buttons.
Most units have a simulator mode that allows you to become familiar with the unit without disturbing the factory settings. As you become more comfortable with the unit's operation, you will find it easier to delve deeper into its functions.
Manufacturers, including Lowrance, Garmin and Hummingbird, provide simulator programs online, an easy way to learn and explore when not on the boat. Newcomers to marine electronics should be satisfied if they learn one or two functions from each session. The more time spent working with the unit, the higher your comfort level. Technical assistance is available during normal working hours by calling the toll-free number in the instruction manual.
• Underwater video camera: A new world awaits those who received a big boy's underwater camera. The problem with cameras is that the angler spends more time playing with it than fishing.
After reading the manual, carefully lower the camera to the desired water depth. Don't be surprised with what you see or don't see.
The camera is best used to view underwater structure, particularly when fishing new water. More expensive units will clearly show rocks, stumps, brush and other submerged objects, including fish. Leave the fish finding to your sonar unit and the bait on your line.
• Bait tank: Bait tanks are quite expensive, but are far better than trying to keep shad and herring alive in a boat's built-in live well. Ten- to 50-gallon oval tanks are used by area striper fishermen to keep baits lively for long periods of time.
Fragile forage fish will live for days in a properly maintained recirculating bait tank. Best results are achieved when lake or well water is used. Don't use city water since it contains chemicals that will kill most bait.
Once you have filled the tank, turn on the pump and adjust the air/water flow valve until you see a steady stream of very small bubbles. Next, add salt. How much is debatable.
Begin with a half-pound for each 10 gallons of water. Salt calms and soothes stressed baits. Clean the filter and replace a third of the water each time the water becomes dirty.
Upcoming events
• Join me at the Bass Pro Shops, Concord Mills Mall, to learn how to catch white perch in Lake Norman. For fast action and good eating, the schooling white perch is hard to beat. I will show proven methods that will make your next trip the best ever. This 90-minute seminar is free and open to the public. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Details: 704-979-2200.• The Lake Norman Striper Swipers Open Winter Classic Tournament is scheduled for Jan. 27. First-place prize is $1,500. This biggest one-day striper fishing event of the season will be at Queen's Landing, highway N.C. 150 in Mooresville. For more information, visit www.lnssfishn.com or call Tommy Messick at 704-634-6410.
• Lake Norman fishing guides Craig Price and Mac Byrum will conduct a seminar on "How to Catch LKN Stripers and Catfish," 3 p.m. Feb. 3 at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville. This 90-minute discussion is free and open to the public. Details: 704-658-0827.
Tips from Gus
Wire your electronic units to a battery other than the one used to start the boat engine. By connecting to a separate battery, electrical interference will be reduced and the unit will not shut down while the engine is being started.
Hot Spot of the Week
The Hot Spot of the week is Mountain Creek. Stripers are hitting live baits on the surface at daylight, and baits fished 15 to 30 feet below the surface throughout the day.
Striper and bass fishing has been good to very good. The lake level is one foot below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the low 50s.
Fishing Gus