[NCStateFisher]

The only way to sum up the second half of my bass fishing season since I moved from Raleigh to Charlotte is abysmal. I've gone from having so many bank fishing options I never even made it to all of them to a variable h e double hockey sticks of no trespassing signs and fences. Been fishing in dirty retention ponds and a couple way overfished public waters where I watch "bucket fishermen" keep 6-8" bass just as fast as they can catch them on live bait. The closest thing that I've got to a "good" place to fish produces a bite every couple trips if i'm lucky and has produced the only two fish over 4#s I've hooked in 5 months. I know I'm whining but I needed to vent a little. Today went to scout a half dozen spots I found on google earth, 5 were plastered in no fishing signs and the only one I could get to ended up being about 2 feet deep at it's best with no signs of life. Winter is typically my favorite time of year for big bass fishing and right now I can't even find a place reliable for dinks. Life back in a metropolis stinks.

 

[cmckearney]

Sounds a little bit like Winston. A lot of private water. Maybe you need to try rivers. That's what I've been trying to figure out for the past year or so.

 

[lewisfishing]

I know it may be far, but Lake Norman State Park has a lot of shoreline to explore...and it's pretty good from a boat, too! If I find I have an empty seat while out and about, I will give you a shout...if you're interested...might be short notice, though...hahaha...

 

[EvBlue]

A kayak- any kayak- would open up a whole new world...

 

[NCStateFisher]

will have to head up there to norman sometime lewis would love to tag along if schedules match up. Ev I'm most likely looking to grab a yak when the water starts warming up, as a novice turtling when the water is sub 50 degrees probably wouldn't end too well

 

[Abert43]

You know I am close by!! Shoot me a text! Haven't had much luck for bass recently but have caught some crappie and perch to eat. We will get you on something!

 

[boredgunny]

NCStateFisher...Sounds exactly like my last eighteen months of bass fishing to a "T"! I haven't caught a keeper bass since I caught a three pounder on a green Storms six inch swimbait at Cabin Lake in June of 2013. I do have three mitigating circumstances though, as I have had two hip replacements and a right wrist that was shattered in several places and spent much of this year in a cast. It is so hard to cast with my hand in a cast and my left-handed casts always ended up in the trees. David and I have just started fishing the Trent River. We put in at the Pollocksville boat ramp and go up river as if you're headed for Trenton. Tons of cover all over the place and looks great for bass and catfish alike. So far though I have only caught two Jack Pike with David catching the same. He uses live bait while I rely mainly on soft plastics and crank baits. Here's hoping that your luck and mine improve in 2015!!!

 

[biglenr]

I had the same issue when I moved to Winston.... I had spent a long time finding private accesses to public water (Never did have any luck with private water access....), and was catching many fish. Then I moved to Winston, and had no connections, no ideas, and no good places to fish. It took me 4 months of fishing to land a bass. Now I catch them regularly, and have some decent places to fish.

It will come with time and effort.

 

[NCStateFisher]

Yeah with time it will change. Gonna enjoy the great blue cat fishing for now since I'm so close to Wylie. Guess I just got spoiled after all the effort I put in to fishing Raleigh for 5 years I kinda had got the bigguns down to a science. My girlfriend is homesick since we moved I'm just pond sick!!!

 

[spidey]

Yeah with time it will change. Gonna enjoy the great blue cat fishing for now since I'm so close to Wylie. Guess I just got spoiled after all the effort I put in to fishing Raleigh for 5 years I kinda had got the bigguns down to a science. My girlfriend is homesick since we moved I'm just pond sick!!!

i haven't caught much since ya moved either LOL. ya hot spoiled with good lakes and a barrel ��. Keep at it man it's winter right now I am happy to get a bump. I was looking at my log and last year dec26th the activity picked up big time.

 

[dbeam]

The area around Raleigh is not going to be beat out this way, but there are a few private ponds that you can still gain access to if your lucky and run up on the right people.

I got into some nice LMB on Hickory on Monday not pigs but a couple in the #4 class. No promises but if you want to try sometime we can bump the schedules together and see what we can work out. I have been laying off to make a trip to Norman as well.

Darrell

 

[NCStateFisher]

you know i'm always down for a trip out to hickory darrell.

went and catfished this morning but this front moving through had em on lockjaw. 3 channels in the 4# range and a 5# blue cat. not quite what i was looking for but beats nothin and it was a real pretty morning

 

[nc35hunter]

I moved from Raleigh to Charlotte in 07, lived there for 3 1/2 years and moved back. I feel your pain, was never able to find any good bank fishing while I lived down there.

I did 2 things: 1) Spent more time trout fishing in the mountains, you've got options inside an hour and a half, and lots more within day trip range. 2) Got a little jon boat, didn't break the bank and very easy to put in and take out by myself. With Wylie, Norman and Mountain Island (my favorite of the 3) in your backyard, you have lots of good options.

Good luck.

 

[Neilslure]

Well, on the bright side. You are fishing some new water and its making you use your brain a little which leads to learning new things that will make you a better angler in the long run.

Hope you can find some new waters.

 

[SurfRider]

NCStateFisher... I realize this doesn't solve your primary problem, for that I have nothing to offer, but I will be happy to get you on the water around the Triad area if you want to drive up here. This Spring, after mid March I will be doing my usual so fire me a PM with your contact info (cell that I can text works best) and I'd be happy to show you around Randleman a bit. They do have jonboat rentals in the electric section, and I can give you some starter tips there. I will be at Belews a lot in February, but once I fish the CNCBA tournament in mid March I usually turn my attention to Randleman... and probably this year some at Badin as well, which is sort of in your direction.

Good luck to you; I'm sorry your move has put you out of the fishing for now.

 

[NCStateFisher]

sounds good brother. would love to come up there and do some fishin with you sometime

 

[spidey]

sounds good brother. would love to come up there and do some fishin with you sometime

I would drive to triad are for a fish outing for sure.

 

[dbeam]

How about a mini M&G on Randleman sometime this Spring? I can bring the boat and carry someone with me. Do they have a not dog grill or picnic area.

Darrell

 

[JBassAssassin]

Yeah I'm in Charlotte too and private ponds to fish are very hard to find. I know a couple of decent ponds around the Charlotte area. We could possibly trade a few spots if you know anywhere.

 

[dbeam]

Yeah I'm in Charlotte too and private ponds to fish are very hard to find. I know a couple of decent ponds around the Charlotte area. We could possibly trade a few spots if you know anywhere.

You can pay it forward with James, he will keep any secrets closely guarded and one day, after getting things dialed in. he will share places, techniques, and tips with you that will make mere mortal sport fishermen tremble in awe.

Darrell