By James McManus
Holiday greetings to everyone! This time of the year is so packed with things to do there is little time to just go fishing. Ballgames, hunting, family visits, all are great things, but if you don’t sneak away occasionally you can miss some of the best fishing of the year.
We just had our first snow and for some reason that makes small mouth go crazy. Some of my best pictures from early guide days show big smallies with scattered patches of snow in the background. As I get older I am less likely to break ice at the ramp than I was fifteen years ago. Still, if the wind will lay down a little I don’t mind chipping a little ice off my guides every now and then. Fontana has way fewer smallies than before spots but there are still some bronze pigs out there.
Speaking of spots, they are absolutely everywhere on Fontana. We have trolled a lot for them lately and the numbers of fish at times will amaze you. While trolling I keep traditional sonar pointed below the boat and might see a couple of fish off a point. With Livescope pointed backwards, to see the trolled baits, many times the whole bottom will come up to see the baits—I’m talking fifty to a hundred fish.
Not complaining about spots, but there is way more than enough bait to support stripers in our lake. I stopped going to wildlife meetings because of the lack of willingness to listen to our requests for striper/hybrid stocking, but think I will take up the cause at this round of meetings. At my age if I ever want to catch one here they need to get a move on. Contact your wildlife biologist and request striper stockings. The more folks who squeak, the faster the fish wheels will spin.
Well, enjoy what our Father has given us—and stay warm!
Later, Capt. James
Capt. James McManus owns 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day on the water at (828) 421-8125