Possible Transfer to NC

[Blu_Lunch]

Where I work I've been offered a chance to relocate to a sister plant in Gastonia, North Carolina in October . I know a few guys here is from NC what can you tell me about the area and how far of a drive is it to the shore. I have lived in Ct all my life and I'am really thinking it over good. They offered my son employment he had the shop he was working closed up and moved to Asia and my wife is totally disabled and is on SS disabilty so that's not a problem. But moving away from friends and family is what is going to be the hardest and the excellent fishing in Long Island Sound I will miss...... What kind of fishing and boating is there around Gastonia......

[Blue_Runner]

To the east, not far away is Lake Norman - big lake that holds catfish including big blue cats, stripers, large mouth, spotted bass, and all that jive. Biggest lake in the state. Just look at this thing:
http://pages.lakenorman.com/lakenormanmappage.htm
Then, to the south you've got Lake Wylie, which is a really nice lake too, just not as big. I've been in Lake Wylie and Lake Norman several times, but High Rock lake to the north about 1 hour is where I'm located. I say go for it! The coast is about 4 hours at the closest (Myrtle Beach SC) and maybe a touch more to the NC beaches. 5 - 6 hours from the outter banks which is where the great saltwater fishing is.

10 Things To Know About Lake Wylie
1. Population: 20,000 living on and near the shores in Mecklenburg, York and Gaston counties.
2. The Lake: 12,455 acres; 570 feet above see level; 325 miles of shoreline in Mecklenburg, York and Gaston counties.
3. Traffic: 30,000 vehicles daily cross the Buster Boyd Bridge.
4. Biggest Boat on Lake: 75-foot house boat.
5. Most Expensive Boat on Lake Wylie: $450,000 cabin cruiser.
6. History: The lake was created in 1904 when the Catawba River was dammed. It was known as "Catawba Lake" until 1960, when it was named after Dr. Gill Wylie, a physician and business associate of Duke Power founder Buck Duke.
7. Must See: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden on the South Fork River section of Wylie near Belmont. The 450-acre site was created by textile magnate Daniel Stowe in 1991 and draws about 55,000 visitors annually.
8. What's Cookin': Best place on the lake to have a drink and watch the sunset: T-Bones on the Lake. Fanciest meal near the lake: The River Rat, (with the unofficial mascot of the lake - a statue of a human-sized river rat at the helm of a bathtub with an outboard). Both are in Lake Wylie, SC.
9. Best Show on Lake: Fourth of July fireworks near Buster Boyd Bridge.
10. Proper Pronunciation: Some longtime residents still don't call it Lake Wylie; it's simply the RiVAH.