[hardydk1]

Thinking about taking the drive to Badin Lake and trying my luck for some big blues. I was doing some research and it sounds like Badin is one of the better lakes in NC for good blues. I am thinking about trying to go out there later this week and try an all night fishing trip. Any pointers and tips would be very helpful. Thanks

 

[mintaka]

I don't have a boat yet , but hopefully this helps. For upper access , put in at Old Whitney , Circle Drive , or Lakemont ramps. I've heard decent catches coming from the area below Tuckertown Dam. Be careful up there though. It is very rocky. The best time to go would be at night or early in the morning. When the turbines are running , you should have strikes , or so I've heard. To access the lower portion , go to Alcoa Landing on hwy 740 , or the Cove Boat Ramp in Uwharrie. Doing this , you can fish at the dam , or anywhere you please in that area. Best baits to use would be either shad or bluegill , alive or frozen. Good luck!!

 

[hardydk1]

Thanks for the advice. I will be in a boat, and since I have never been there I won't head up through the rocky areas. Is Badin typically better than High Rock? Was hoping to catch flatheads and Blues. I REALLY wanna catch a BIG Blue though. Have never caught a blue over 5 pounds. Also how difficult is it to catch shad out there?

 

[mintaka]

Shad is easy to catch at Tuckertown dam. Other places would likely be edges of grasslines around the shore. The state record blue was caught from there in 2006. It was 89 pounds. I've heard it's better than High Rock , too. I've had days where I went to 4 of those lakes and didn't catch anything until I got to Badin. Hell , I caught my 1st bule from there on liver , of all things. Also , a guy who works at BOA caught a 79 pound flathead from there last year. Personally , I'm convinced it is a trophy lake. For more than catfish; there was a 'study' in 2005 where , over 5 days , some guys on 5 boats caught 250 largemouth bass. It has a good forage base , and is rather fertile , so there have to be some records there. Parts of this lake reach 190'. Albeit there are no warmwater discharges to use in winter , but you can still capitalise on the fish.

 

[deepwoods]

There are blues in HR but not many. The lake is full of flats and channels. I fish the upper part of Badin below the dam andit is a solid fishing spot. I had my best luck south of the bridge slow trolling between 50 and 75 yards from the shore line. I had to stop at HR to catch some bait then run down to Badin. When the turbins run at the T'town dam use cut bait at the depth fish are marking . There is a very good chance to pick up stripers and cats. There is a good channel up to the dam. Badin does have a good blue cat population but you can not beat HR for catch volume.