lthough Norman has never hosted a tour-level championship of the size and scope of REDCREST IV , at least two locals fishing the event – North Carolina pro Bryan Thrift and South Carolina angler Andy Montgomery – believe that the “ Inland Sea of North Carolina ” is up to the challenge . And if Thrift and Montgomery are correct , the improved spotted bass fishing over the past several years ( and primo early-spring tournament timing ) will let the rest of the country in on the quiet little secret of just how good Lake Norman really is .
About the Lake
Named after Norman Cocke , the former president of Duke Energy , Lake Norman was created by the damming of the Catawba River upon the completion of the Cowans Ford Dam construction in the early 1960s . The process of filling the lake began in 1959 and was completed four years later in 1963 . Since then , the lake has become heavily populated with houses along the banks of North Carolina ’ s largest manmade lake . As a result , most of the lake is lined with one of a bass angler ’ s favorite targets : docks .
Located a short drive from the 2.7 million people living in the Charlotte metropolitan area , Norman hosts more than its fair share of on-the-water traffic and is a destination for all things
The clear , scenic waters of Lake Norman are home to a trophy spotted bass fishery , and produced the North Carolina state record in 2003 .
“ Over the past decade , spotted bass have become the predominant species and grown to impressive sizes .”
MLF pro Andy Montgomery has history on Lake Norman and predicts that the timing of REDCREST IV in March is ideal .
PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON watersports , including bass fishing . The event ’ s March / late-winter timing will ensure less boat traffic , but a nice sunny weekend may bring out some additional pleasure boaters .
Norman flows over 34 miles from north to south and boasts 520 shoreline miles in Catawba , Iradell , Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties . It covers 32,475 surface acres , and the majority of the water is clear .
Over the past decade , spotted bass ( technically Alabama bass ) have become the predominant species and grown to impressive sizes . The North Carolina state record spot – a 6-pound , 5-ounce specimen caught by Eric M . Weir – came from the fishery in 2003 and 5-pound class fish are showing up each year . Largemouth are still a factor and fans should expect to see some nice ones showing up on SCORE- TRACKER ® each day of the event .
34 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023