Fall Fishing on Jordan Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Jordan Lake is the last of six lakes situated on the Coosa River System that runs from North to South Alabama. It receives a lot of rain runoff during the Fall period and water generation (for electricity) at the lakes
headwaters, shows upper Mitchell Lake dam constantly creating some current. During the Fall period this means bass, especially those hard fighting Coosa River Spotted bass, are going to bunch up and feed on
incoming meals, both on the main lake and in its feeder creeks. Each month the fishing only gets better during the Fall season.
September
Although the first week of Fall still feels like summer it will eventually cool down by the months end. Both the bass and the bass angler are ready for this cooling down period that always means it will get better. Fishing Jordan Lakes headwaters just below Mitchell Lake dam, anglers will soon discover the first mile is void of any weeds, there is very little wood cover and the rocks are where you will fish regardless. Huge boulders, rocks and bluff type banks show excellent habitat for the spotted bass. Many “spots” as they are called, will be taken here in Jordan Lakes headwaters for the next three months. Some are truly trophy sized spotted bass. There are hundreds of spotted bass found here in 1- 3 pound range. Bigger spotted bass in the 4-7 pound range (or bigger) do exist here. Your chances of hooking into one of these feisty spotted bass in the trophy class range are good this Fall and early Winter season. Getting it in the boat shows your chances dwindle somewhat, so be prepared.
Lures are many, dozens of fish catching techniques exist here as well and fishing locations mean just drifting with current, fishing the banks or probing the underwater bottom. Any time an angler fishes below any dam there is one thing evident, he is going to hang up and lose some lures in a days time. So fishing with lures that do not cost much, means you will care less if you do have to break them off due to hang-ups. Cheap lures? Well, they do exist when you fish some types. Jig heads can be adorned with a variety of plastics. Small worms in the 4-6 inch size, small lizards or crayfish imitations, shad imitations or just a plain old grub, are expendable, so bring plenty, for the rocks do have way of eating them up.
October
Anglers will see a major change in the fishing, for the better, when October arrives. Waters begin to cool and some weeds begin to die. Bass are feeding on baitfish, which is very evident as busting bass are seen feeding, often all day when the weather permits. Cloudy periods, rain or early morning bites can show some of the lakes biggest bass acting very foolish as they feed and fatten up in the shallows. As they spend more and more time in the shallows they are very susceptible to a wide range of lures. Topwater lures are great lures on these days. There are many choices when it comes to topwaters. Big gaudy type topwaters like the Zara Super Spook, Luck Craft’s Sammies, Pop-r’s and Chug bugs get the big bass’s attention. Noisy clacker type 1/2 ounce buzzbaits can really irritate a bass into striking, especially when thrown right into a likely looking big bass lair several times.
Spinnerbaits of all sizes and colors will always trigger some bass strikes on Jordan Lake. This does not matter if you fish weeds, wood cover or rocks, bass will hit a spinnerbait anytime and anywhere. The more stained the water is the more an angler should attempt to trigger strikes with spinnerbaits. If the water is clear fish small spinnerbaits in white or shad colors. If its stained try spinnerbaits with bigger blades and use plastic grubs or trailers and trailer hooks for short strikers. Colors of white, chartreuse and white, blue, yellow, lime or red will combine for aiding the bass in seeing your spinnerbait much better. Always use line from 14-20 pound test for various sizes of spinnerbaits.
Crankbaits come in all shapes, sizes, actions, colors and diving abilities. From deep divers to shallow diving crankbaits there is always some water on Jordan Lake to be fished with crankbaits. They will work anytime and anywhere on Jordan Lake during the mid Fall period for fooling spotted bass, largemouth bass and an occasional striped bass. Use lighter line of 10-12 pound test if you want to get deep divers to go deeper. If you are fishing crankbaits around shallow cover then heavier line can be tried to avoid breaking off precious lures. Rattletraps and Cordell rattling spots fall in this crank and wind category. These lipless ures can also be maneuvered to work in the shallows or allowed to drop deep for bass suspended in deeper water situations. Lipless lures are also very wind resistant and they are excellent lure choices when covering water fast or when encountering schooling bass. Jerkbaits are good in November to. Floating model jerkbaits, suspending jerkbaits and soft bodied jerkbaits are all good around weeds, wood cover, along rocky banks and points and even in open water situations when schooling bass are seen busting baitfish on top.
November
Its all according to the weather. November can show warming trends, rainy weather and mild nights. Or it can get cold in a hurry with cool nights and cold days showing several cold fronts in a row. Warm fronts show the largemouth bass really turn on in November and many trophy sized largemouth’s are taken during this late Fall period. Spotted bass are not affected as much as largemouth bass but even a minor cold front can slow them down. Many anglers find that seining the bottom with small finesse lures is the ticket to getting constant action with these often very picky spotted bass when conditions are poor for fishing on Jordan Lake.
Creek fishing is at its best from the mid Fall to early Winter period on Jordan Lake. Weeds that are dead or dying can show lots of bass nearby. They simply move out to the next available cover when the weeds die and the prey is not as evident. Stumps, laying trees and logs, found near these dead or dying weeds can hold more than one bass when they are forced to relocate. The lakes lower end near both dams, may be the best place to consistently find clear to lightly stained water conditions when heavy Fall rains swell the lake and create muddy water lake wide.
Fishing Jordan Lake this Fall season? Always call on Reeds Guide service…first! Over 30 years of exploring every fishing spot imaginable on Jordan Lake, with many tournament wins and big bass awards taken in years past on Jordan Lake.
Thanks and Good Fishin’
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Birmingham, Alabama
E-mail: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
“Over 40 Years Fishing, Guiding and Exploring every Lake in Alabama for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and some huge Striped Bass”
Originally Published (2007)
Resources:
