I just moved to Mount Holly NC from Everett, WA. I don't know anything about bass fishing any of the lakes around here, but I know starting with baitfish and asking around about typical water/weather conditions is a great way to get to know a little more than just getting out there. What are the baitfish in this area? And what lakes/ponds are close to Mount Holly? Also... According to NC Fish and Game there aren't any alligator gar in NC, but according to some things ive seen online, there are... Any idea where? I've never seen gar before. Lol thanks in advance.

Shad, I've heard some people say that there are tilapia in wylie not sure how true that is, bliegill, perch. And yes there are gar they are not fun to mess with.

Oh and mountain island is close but it's a tough lake with mostly small fish.

Welcome to the east coast lol! That area of NC is really nice. If you have a boat and don't mind driving a bit, there are a ton a lakes within an 1hr 1/2 drive. As for baitfish in Norman, definitely Black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, shad/shiners and crawfish. Ya, I think I've seen gar in Norman to.. Try throwing a shakey head with a green pumpkin trick worm on 8lb test, under docks. That should get ya bites..

fished there quite a bit and never seen nor caught a gar.  My first month fishing down in Atlanta and i had already caught 2 or 3 of them.  but a friend of mine did pull a 14lb striper out lake norman to our surprise!

Bait is: crawfish, shad, bluegill and shiners. 

I don't think there are any tilapia in there either.  I do agree that mountain island is a tough lake to catch, but it is a nice scene and has some fishy looking spots.  but it's pretty pressured too.

5xd crankbait, green pumpkin trick worm, jerkbait and buzzbaits are the usual arsenal.  a jig will catch fish, but not a lot of them.  certainly can catch some better size there on a jig, but it may be a slow day fishing to catch one or two decent sized fish. 

although smaller in size, those spotted bass will fight like monsters!

fished there quite a bit and never seen nor caught a gar.  My first month fishing down in Atlanta and i had already caught 2 or 3 of them.  but a friend of mine did pull a 14lb striper out lake norman to our surprise!

Bait is: crawfish, shad, bluegill and shiners. 

I don't think there are any tilapia in there either.  I do agree that mountain island is a tough lake to catch, but it is a nice scene and has some fishy looking spots.  but it's pretty pressured too.

5xd crankbait, green pumpkin trick worm, jerkbait and buzzbaits are the usual arsenal.  a jig will catch fish, but not a lot of them.  certainly can catch some better size there on a jig, but it may be a slow day fishing to catch one or two decent sized fish. 

although smaller in size, those spotted bass will fight like monsters!

. From what I heard some guy let them go but you know how those stories are.

Thanks for all the info. Back in WA, bass dont grow as large as they do in the south. Theres not enough forraige species and wdfw doesnt care for bass fishing enough to change that. I'm looking forward to this area. Thanks all.