EFFECTIVE WINTER BAITS

             
 
                     I think it's safe to say it's officially that time of the year. The leaves are all gone, there is ice on our windshields almost every morning, and you can no longer leave the house without a jacket on hand. Winter, along with it's frigid weather and harsh elements brings some pretty tough fishing conditions as well. The average angler would probably be packing up their gear and putting the cover over the boat. But we all know... We're not the average anglers.

          This is the time of year that really tests a fisherman's skills and grit. Thankfully we have a couple baits that we think may be some help during this tough upcoming season!

1. Jigs
How could we leave out the go to bait for so many fisherman. When the fish are deep and lethargic, sometimes all you need is a slowly worked jig. This is a great bait to trigger some strikes from bass that are down deep looking for an easy meal. Usually paired with a craw trailer is a great option, giving the jig a crawfish like imitation.

2. Spoons
Sometimes simple is the way to go, especially when it's cold out. Spoons, depending on size, can be worked slowly giving off a bit of action still. Spoons are also sometimes pretty heavy, allowing you to target deeper fish

3/ Bladebaits.
Bladebaits are a cool hybrid bait that gives off a ton of action with not alot of effort. These can be yoyoed off the bottom or even trolled slowly. Regardless, these baits are super versatile and a deadly weapon during the winter months.

4. Ned Rigs
Last but defiantly not least is a highly overlooked bait. The ned rig is a simple 3 inch  stick bait threaded onto a ned rig hook. These simple baits give off a natural and simple presentation that seems to be just what those lethargic fish are looking for when the water cools off.


Those are just a few of the baits that we look forward to using during these upcoming months and hope they help you out as well!
Good luck and tight lines!


Come Visit Us At Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply on 21 Steeple Rd. Sylva, NC 28779!

Most Beautiful Lakes of WNC

                   One of the greatest parts of fishing areas such as Western North Carolina is being able to take in the amazing scenery and beauty. Luckily, we have a variety of breathtaking lakes that are readily accessible for anglers. Below are, in our opinion, some of the most beautiful places to fish in WNC.

1. Fontana
Fontana lake is a beautiful reservoir nestled in the mountains of the Smoky Mountains. Being such a popular vacationing site, it's a beautiful lake that is quite large for our area, offering amazing scenery for anyone who fishes it.

2. Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is a seven thousand acre reservoir created by Duke Energy in 1973. This large lake sits just south of the South Carolina border, making it not too bad of a drive from WNC. This lake features crystal clear water, some beachy areas, and even a coupe waterfalls. It's the perfect lake if you are looking for something different to fish!

3. Lake Chatuge
Chatuge is a shallower man made lake, completed in the late 40's. It spans across southern North Carolina and Northern Georgia, making it a large, beautiful place to come and fish.

4. Lake Glenville
Lake Glenville is a beautiful reservoir located in Jackson County, NC. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and waterfalls that ensure an amazing fishing experience.

5. Lake Burton
Lake Burton is a nice sized lake located in Rabun County, Georgia. It is about 3,000 acres and has many different coves that call for great angling. If you're even in the northeast part of Georgia, make sure to stop by and visit Lake Burton!


Those are just a few of the many amazing bodies of water we have in and around WNC. Have any favorite places to fish? Let us know!

Come Visit Us at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply! on 21 Steeple Road, Sylva NC, 28779!

RAIN RAIN RAIN! : WNC Fishing Report.

                 Fall is officially in full swing now meaning bait has moved up tight into pockets and creeks. Bass are feeding heavily on shad and other baitfish during this time of the year, making moving baits a great option. This fall has proven to be especially warm keeping the bass closer to cover and shade, and making the early mornings and late afternoons phenomenal topwater opportunities.

A major update in the fishing forecast has been the INSANE amount of rain we have recently gotten in the past couple of days. The constant downpour resulted in serious flooding of many creeks, rivers and lakes. As of today, the water is still a chocolate milk color, making the fishing quite tough. The water is pretty darn rough at the moment as well, as the excess drainage cycles it's way out.

The most effective baits for these types of conditions would be MOVING baits. Moving is highlighted because we're talking crazy loud, flashy baits that a bass can find even in chocolate milk water. Spinnerbaits are a good place to start, with their flashing, thumping blades and erratic skirts. Chatterbaits would be absolutely ideal, giving anglers the option of a loud, obnoxious spinnerbait on steroids. Try and throw bright, fluorescent colored variations of these baits or similar baits and you'll probably land a few even in these conditions!

The rain looks like it has calmed down for a while for the most part, but until our lakes get back to normal, try and make the best of what we have and think of it as a fun new obstacle to land some awesome fish!


Come Visit Us at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply! on 21 Steeple Road Sylva, NC 28779.

Early Christmas Shopping Ideas For The Fisherman In Your Family.

 


           Well colder weather is finally here and you know what that means... CHRISTMAS is right around the corner! As much as you hate to say it, those blow-up santas in Lowes and Walmart aren't going away anytime soon. Thinking ahead of time is great when it comes to buying gifts for your friends and loved ones. It can however, be quite difficult when it comes to shopping for your family fisherman. Thankfully, our team here at Dream Catcher's know exactly what a fisherman would LOVE to get for Christmas due to the fact that... we may want them too! In all seriousness, we have brainstormed and come up with three great ideas that could help you find that perfect gift for your beloved angler.

Costa Polarized Sunglasses.
What a lot of people who don't fish fail to realize, is that having great quality shades on the water make a HUGE difference. The high quality polarized lenses give anglers a crystal clear view into the water with ease Just ask anyone who has worn Costa glasses out on the water and they'll tell you... it's worth it. We guarantee that this will be a worthwhile investment that a serious fisherman will greatly enjoy and appreciate.


Daiwa Fuego Reels.
Whether you are looking for a casting or spinning reel, the Daiwa Fuego series has amazing quality matched with the amazing price. We love how smooth both models of the reels are, giving the angler a sturdy, reliable, and well made reel that feels really good in the hands. Despite the impressive quality that Daiwa brings to the table with this model, the price is very considerable and a great bargain for what you get. If you want to get your fisherman a reel with high quality looks and mechanics with an amazing price, pick up a Fuego series reel!


Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply Gift Card. 
If all else fails and you just can't decide what to get for that special fisherman, don't sweat it, we gotcha covered! Just swing on by the shop and pick up one of our gift cards! This gives them the opportunity to come visit us and select anything out our huge selection of rods, reels, baits, apparel, and so much more! We would be thrilled to help out any customers that have any questions about something they might need or are looking for!


So there you have it. Even though it still is technically fall, we just wanted to help you get a step ahead in the Christmas shopping game by giving some of our suggestions. After all... We are anglers ourselves and dream of someone getting us these things! ( Wink wink)

If you have any questions about anything you may be looking for or need, just give us a ring or come by and say hello at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply on 21 Steeple Rd. Sylva, NC 28779!
We look forward to seeing you!

The Five Most Effective Soft Plastics!!

                                                     The Five Most Effective Soft Plastics


            Soft plastics are a vital part of a fisherman's arsenal, giving us all kinds of different variations and ways to use them. They have been around for quite some time, being a go-to bait for many seasoned anglers. The great thing about soft plastics in general is that they can be used in so many different ways. For example, if the fish are being picky and you need something more finesse and lighter in presentation, a simple trickworm on a dropshot rig could be your saving grace. Soft plastics even extend to craw shaped trailers that can be hooked onto jigs to give off the classic "jig and pig" combo. We've compiled five of some of the many amazing soft plastics that have proven to be EXTREMELY effective out on the water, and help you get that skunk out of the boat!

NUMBER ONE:  THE TRICKWORM

The trickworm is perhaps one of the most simple baits to use, especially for novice fisherman who are looking for an easy bite. The trickworm has tons of different techniques that you can use that will effectively trigger some ferocious bites. For example, texas rigging is a great way to fish a trickworm, lightly twitching the bait and working it slowly. You can also easily dropshop a this bait, making it seem to be a flashy meal to fish.







NUMBER TWO: PADDLETAIL SWIMBAIT

A paddletail swimbait is probably one of my personal favorites due to its lifelike, quiet presentation. These baits are absolutely ideal for easily spooked fish, moving rhythmically yet stealthily through the water. Iv'e found that larger ponds are great for this style plastic and that they are easily fished with a weighted offset hook. Another option for rigging paddletails is using them as a trailer for other lures such as chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, etc...

                                                
NUMBER THREE: CRAW TRAILERS

One amazing bait to have while fishing with jigs are any type of craw trailer. These sometimes extremely lifelike baits are super effective when fished accordingly. Due to crawfish being a major part of bass' forage, these baits are a go to when the fish are either hunkered down, or gorging on craws. As mentioned before, they are usually most effective when they are hooked to a jig and fished slowly over rocks or under cover. If you don't usually use soft plastic craws, you should defiantly try it. You won't be disappointed!


NUMBER FOUR: FLUKES

Like the paddletail swimbaits, flukes give off a silent, yet deadly presentation. They give off an insane amount of action even with the slightest twitch of the wrist, making them a huge attention getter for any nearby fish. The great thing about flukes is that they can be fished in almost any way
possible. Weightless, these baits stay closer to the surface of the water making blowups a very possible thing. Even without any weight, these lures still give off a crazy side to side darting action with ease. With weight attached, you will be able to get flukes deeper and have even more action than they already do!





NUMBER FIVE: THE STICKBAIT

The last and probably most versatile bait on the list is the stickbait, commonly known as the senko. These simple baits have proven to be DEADLY time after time, producing a lot of fish. The awesome thing about the stick bait is that they can be used in SOOO many different ways that are all pretty equally effective. Wacky rigging is a popular technique that is a very easy, yet effective way to catch a lot of fish. You can use stickbaits for a ned rig if you like to go the finesse route. And finally, you can even go with a texas rig or even go weightless with the good ol' stick bait.



See any of these baits you might want or need that you don't already have?..

Come Visit Us! At Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply on 21 Steeple Rd Sylva, NC 28779!

Preparing For Winter Fishing.

                                 

                                          Preparing for Winter Fishing: What you'll need.



As the fall months cycle through and the days get colder and colder, the supplies for successful and comfortable fishing are a must. As bass anglers, we know that light breathable clothing is essential when your out on the water during warmer times of the year. However, is buying the same quality apparel for colder months just as important as well? Absolutely! We too often overlook the clothing we need to stay comfortable and alert while we're out there hunting down those freezing fish. Not only is it important to stay warm because of the sometimes harsh winter conditions, but also because of how much more aware of your surroundings and alert you will be on the water. Blood circulation is vital in cold conditions and when you are out in the middle of the water, with nothing to shield you from the wind, high quality winter apparel would probably be a good choice.

1. Probably one of the most important pieces of clothing you will need is a good, insulated hat to keep your head/ ears protected and warm. Without one, an angler can quickly become so cold as to just give up and get off the water. Heat exits the body through the head, so a warm hat is a necessity when out on the water.

2. For keeping your body warm, a thick hoodie is a good place to start, keeping the heat packed close to your body without escaping.

3. Outside of a hoodie, we recommend a wind breaker style jacket that will effectively shield you from any wind and mist that might blow up, leaving your normal clothes wet. 

4. Of course it's common since that you probably won't be wearing shorts out there during freezing conditions, but a good pair of thick pants are a good idea as well.

5. The last and one of the most important things that you will need is a good pair of wool socks. We cannot stress this enough. Like the head, heat also exits the body through the feet making it vital they are well insulated. Trust me, you won't want to be out there on the water once you have cold feet. (get it?)

One last thing that is also recommended is bringing an extra pair of clothes with you on board (especially during the colder months.) You never know when you might need them when you are surrounded by frigid water! Now all this may seem like common knowledge but it is an issue that not only can effect an anglers health, it will also help you be more honed in on your skills when you are not so focused on not freezing to death! We are pumped for the upcoming colder months and the awesome challenges they add to the already intricate sport of bass fishing, and hope you stay safe and stay warm out there!

Tight Lines!







Come visit us! at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply on 21 Steeple Rd. Sylva, NC 28779!   

Baitfish patterns

If we know anything as bass fisherman, we know one thing... that bass move around.. a lot. However, their constant migrating has a specific reasoning behind it, and its actually quite simple. Bass follow the bait they eat basically anywhere. Knowing where the baitfish go during different times of the year will help you become a much more successful angler and will help you hone in on those mobile bass. As I mentioned above, different seasons make the bass' natural forage tend to move from  place to place. Knowing where the bait is, simply means knowing where the majority of the bass are. Below we discuss where the bait migrate to and when they do it throughout the year.

Summer.
The season of summer can bring so many different conditions to fish. Baitfish at this time are usually pretty small and juvenile. They usually can be found around structure like docks, laydowns, and vegetation. These baitfish can be pretty active during the summer months, making them a big target for hungry fish.

Fall.
This is one of the best seasons for bass fishing in my opinion. During fall months, bait will move up into tight pockets and creeks, narrowing the field of play significantly. The forage will basically be cornered by bass up in these tight bodies of water, making the fishing usually very successful. The baitfish, although bunched tightly together, are usually very active during the fall, triggering insane strikes from bass.

Winter.
Although winter can seem like a tough season to get out and get some fish in the boat, if you know where the bait has moved, you can more than likely get a decent bite. During the winter, baitfish will move back out of those small creeks and pockets and migrate solely into deep, large bodies of water. They, like bass, search for warmer water once the temperature starts to drop.

Spring.
Cover, cover, cover. That is the number one place to target schools of bait during the spring. Like summer, bait will stick tight to cover and be fairly active. very rarely will you find schools out in open water during spring months, making different structures a hotspot for quality fishing. 

Once again, knowing where the baitfish are while you are fishing is key to knowing where the bass are. Study hard on baitfish patterns where you live and remember, different species of bait may have different migration patterns! Be sure to study up on the bait in your own lake so that you can have more successful fishing year round!


Come Visit Us! At Dream Catcher's Fishing! on 21 Steeple Rd. Sylva, NC 28779