Lake Harris (Lake Wedowee) Fall Bass Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Lake Harris is also called Wedowee Lake due to the nearby town of Wedowee, Al. It is situated in northeast Alabama where the Big Tallapoosa River and The Little Tallapoosa River join at mid lake about 5 miles from this small town. This is Alabama’s youngest Impoundment with R L Harris dam completed about 25 years ago. By comparison to other Alabama man made impoundments, this is not a big lake. It is only 27 nautical miles from Lake Harris dam to the lakes headwaters. But it is still a rather spread out lake with 10,660 acres of surface water.
This lake does not receive a lot of fishing pressure maybe due to the fact it is so far from a major suburb city. Although it is situated close to a small Alabama town (Wedowee), it is over 30 miles to nearby Anniston, Al. along Interstate 20 going from Birmingham to Atlanta. Nearby, Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa River System and Lake Martin situated down stream of Lake Harris on the Lower Tallapoosa River, both get a whole lot more attention from Alabama’s anglers and constant recreational use.
Lake Harris was stocked with more than 135,000 largemouth bass when impounded in 1983. Prior to impoundment there was already a good population of native largemouth bass that already existed in the waters of the big and little Tallapoosa rivers. Some big bass that were previously in small ponds, lakes and creeks. All of which was inundated when the lakes backwaters were flooded.
As the lake rose when impounded it covered up the previous homes of these bass. These rivers and small bodies of water also held other fish species including the Tallapoosa breed of spotted bass, lots of crappie, bream, minnows, crayfish and catfish. All of which when combined is the perfect recipe for creating an excellent bass fishery…much better than any angler could ever have imagined. Huge, trophy sized largemouth bass!
LAKE HARRIS IN THE PAST / HUGE, LARGEMOUTH BASS
Just five years after impoundment Lake Harris started exhibiting phenomenal catches of big, largemouth bass. Hundreds of five pound plus bass were recorded being caught by about every angler that bass fished Lake Harris in the mid-to-late 1980’s. Soon, big trophy sized largemouth bass (those exceeding that almost magical mark of 10 pounds), started showing up. Not just a few 10 pounders here and there each month, but weekly, several bass over 10 pounds were reported being caught or weighed in at nearby tackle stores. It got even better.
Bass in the “teens” became common and soon the word got out, “Lake Harris has monster bass”! Although it took almost 10 years to build this lake, it did not take half of that time before the anglers of Alabama and surrounding states started showing up. Word soon got out, not only in Alabama but throughout the south, especially when three largemouth bass of near state record (over 15 pounds) proportions were caught. Including an unfortunate bass that had obviously lived out its entire life, a huge bass exceeding 17 pounds, found deceased and floating in the lake.
It was not long before the Alabama state record bass of 16 pounds and 7 ounces became threatened. In the early 1990’s even bigger bass - those exceeding 16 pounds - were taken out Lake Harris, then 10 years since impoundment. But these, “bass of a lifetime” were only boated by the fortunate angler that was lucky / skilled enough to land such an adversary. These were huge, largemouth bass. Bass that not many anglers had ever even had the honor of doing battle with. There were many huge bass reported being lost right at boat side by panicky or just plain unprepared anglers. But like said, “all good things soon come to an end.”
LAKE HARRIS TODAY
Since the lake was impounded its been about 25 years of anglers seeing the ups and downs of a new impoundment. The locals tried to keep it a secret, but once those huge bass started appearing it was out of their hands. Today the numbers of largemouth bass exceeding 10 pounds has decreased. Often, you will hear of an angler catching one. Maybe a 13-14 pounder. But what has happened to all those bass in the “15 pound plus” weight category?
They are still there, but maybe fishing pressure and the lake going through good and bad cycles has contributed to the plain fact. Maybe even pollution. Still, Lake Harris is one of the best lakes in Alabama for fall, winter and spring trophy bass fishing and as they say, ” a young or newly impounded lake always has a sudden reoccurrence of excellent bass fishing about every 5-6 years. ” We are due.
So today, you could assume bass anglers are due again for a chance of landing a possible state record size largemouth bass. There is actually a 6 month period, from fall into the winter season and continuing on into the spring of next year, for actually hooking into the bass of a life time. Records show most really huge largemouth bass (those in the teens), are taken from January through March.
These are late winter bass to prespawn bass. Big female bass usually feeding heavily and constantly fattening up for the rituals of spawning, in the spring when they will eat very little for almost 30 days. These are catchable bass and these bass are susceptible to a whole range of lures fished in all depths on Lake Harris.
LURES FOR LAKE HARRIS BASS THIS FALL
Choosing the correct lure, fishing it in the right manner, in the right depth of water, in the right place, is the recipe for success this fall season on Lake Harris. Many variables will determine your lure choice and your fishing success. Rigging several rods with various types of lures that cover the top, middle and bottom water column will help determine where the most catchable bass are holding on each outing.
TOPWATER LURES - Its a sure bet if an angler starts out the day throwing a topwater lure (on any day) during this fall season on Lake Harris, he / she may be connect with the days biggest bass. With the lake currently down 10 feet and no weeds on the lake, you can possibly eliminate lures normally fished for their weedless qualities. Still, I have seen lures like frog and rat imitations (normally used in weedy situations), work just as well around Lake Harris wood cover and rock cover, especially during low water periods on this lake when these bass are more concentrated in a much smaller lake.
Wood cover is very evident, with standing timber, brush, stickups and stumps, all left here during impoundment, still standing today. With the lake normally down from 10-15 feet during the fall period for winter pool, it looks like you are fishing a forest. When casting your lures among all of this lure grabbing wood cover use precise casts. Topwaters like zara spooks, Sammies, pop-r’s, the spittin’ image, the poppin’ image and baby torpedoes (with dangling, wood grabbing treble hooks) should be fished with precise casts during this fall and winter period to avoid frustration or losing lures.
When the lake is down it also exposes lots of previously submerged cover. Topwaters, like just mentioned, fished out in open water get strikes from suspended bass holding out in deep water. These can be schools of spotted bass as well that have grown to trophy size bass over the past 25 years. Keep a big heavy topwater lure (like a zara super spook with 3 hooks), rigged and ready for these schools of bass can erupt at any time during the fall and early winter season.
If looking for a more weedless topwater lure try noisy clacker type buzzbaits, that feature one upturned hook. They cast long distances, are very weedless and wind resistant and buzzbaits can be made to weave through all the wood cover. Another plus is, buzzbaits attract the bigger bass bites! Always include a trailer hook and fish buzzbaits on at least 20 pound test monofilament line or 30-40 test braided line.
LURES FOR FISHING IN THE MIDDLE WATER COLUMN
These lure choices are as many as when choosing a topwater lure. But these lure choices work anytime. Like Spinnerbaits. Choosing your spinnerbaits depends on water clarity. During falls heavy rains the lakes headwaters and the incoming feeder creeks can get stained. At times the lakes mid to upper section and its feeder creeks can get downright muddy. As most anglers know when faced with this situation this is the time to fish with heavier 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce spinnerbaits.
Those models that show brighter colors both on the spinnerbaits skirt and trailers as well are best. Spinnerbaits sporting big, oversized blades are a must, so bring along plenty of blade choices. Spinnerbaits can be retrieved right through standing timber without hanging. They are very weedless and will not hang up unless your casts are not precise and you snag a limb or tree trunk. Spinnerbaits can also be slow rolled or dropped among all this lakes standing timber, for some bass are still holding deep from the hot days of summer and early fall.
Crankbaits would be a good second choice lure, if I had to cover the middle water column where a lot of big bass just suspend during the fall and early winter period. These lures fool a lot of bass into striking, usually out of instinct and some big bass as well. Rig three rods, one with a shallow diver, one with a mid diver and another rod rigged with a deep diving crankbait. This will help you determine what depth most strikes can occur from. Colors, lure actions and the way you retrieve these crankbaits may determine whether or not you even get a bite. Experiment and try all types.
The same goes for lipless lures that sink and can be fished at all depths. I’ve seen these type of lures like Rattletraps, Vibes, Cordell spots and Rapala’s Rattlin’ Raps work very well on Lake Harris schooling bass and bass suspended in this standing timber. There are times when they prefer small to large sizes so bring plenty of 1/4 to 3/4 ounce lipless type lures.
Suspending and floating jerkbaits fall in this middle water column. Although most jerkbait models only dive less than 5 feet deep they are excellent lures for triggering bass that ignore other lures. Fished with a fast, erratic stop and go retrieve, fishing jerkbaits can show these bass follow these lures and often hit right at the boat…so be ready! Always use 14-17 pound test line on your crankbaits and jerkbaits.
LURES FISHED ON OR NEAR BOTTOM
Boy, how long of a list would this be? When choosing lures that you generally drag along the lakes bottom this fall season there are many lure choices, lure colors and various lure shapes, sizes and actions these bass may prefer. Water clarity, water depth, the time of year you are fishing and the type of cover being fished should determine your lure choice.
Also what are you wanting to catch? Lots of small bass or fish all day hoping for just one big old monster bass? The choice is up to you and yes, bigger is always better when faced with this decision. I would rather cast a big lure all day, that fills a bass’s belly fast and gets its eating interest, rather than fish a smaller offering, usually resulting in getting lots of bites, but generally from smaller bass. So here’s a few choices.
Worms - These slithering creatures have fooled a lot of bass over the last 25 years on Lake Harris. Small worms work very well especially in clear water situations or when following a cold front, when bass are more picky and usually full. Even small 4 inch finesse worms fished on light tackle outfits have fooled some big bass into striking on Lake Harris. Problem is many of these huge, tackle testing bass are not landed. The timber, rocks and bottom can damage your line nicking it and causing a big strong bass to break it. So heavier outfits are recommended.
Big worms fool the bigger bass. Worms in lengths of 10-12 inches, fished on a 4/0 to 6/0 hook with a 1/4 ounce to 1/2 ounce Texas rigged sinker have fooled a lot of trophy sized bass on this lake. They still work today. Always sharpen all hooks and bring plenty of worms, hooks and sinkers. Lizards, tube baits, creature baits and jig combos come in small and large sizes and they fool these bass on bottom this fall season on Lake Harris.
Looking for a real, trophy sized bass this fall and winter season? Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first! ” Fishing, guiding and exploring all of Alabama’s lakes for over 40 years,” including Lake Harris, since it was impounded. Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service makes a great gift for Birthdays, Fathers day and Christmas (certificates available), for those loved ones that love to fish. Several qualified guides and boats available year round for multiple parties and corporate guided trips. See my website: www.fishingalabama.com
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:
Pickwick Lake Fall Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Pickwick Lakes Headwaters / Fishing Below Wilson Lake Dam
(I get lots of phone calls and e-mails from first timers to Pickwick and Wilson Lakes, so here’s some tips and suggestions;)
Pickwick Lake is situated on the Tennessee River System near the town of Florence, Al. This is where most anglers launch their boat at McFarland park. This public boat launch is about 2 miles downstream - below the Wilson Lake dam tailrace waters - found at Pickwick’s Lake headwaters. Running your boat up this lake is no problem. Just navigate up the middle of the lake and idle the boat down after you go under the last bridge, which is within sight of Wilson Lake dam.
Make sure to have your Alabama fishing license, boat registration papers, up-to-date boat stickers, charged fire extinguisher, a throw cushion and life jackets for each boat occupant. When within sight of the dam it is suggested (its the law), you wear your life jacket and have your outboard motor kill switch attached when running the outboard motor. Caution is advised in these lake headwaters, especially for first timers, due to swift current at times.
After you go under the last bridge, heading upstream towards Wilson Lake dam, the water is less than 10 feet deep. When getting close to the dam, stay in the middle and avoid idling the boat fast. This is due to all the hidden rocks, some that are just under the waters surface, in 3-5 feet of water near the dam. Trim up your motor and avoid the waters near the dam just past the island on your left. Lots of boulders and swift current
here.
Anglers that are new to this lake will soon discover fishing these lake headwaters for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is quite easy although you may soon discover other species of fish tugging on your line as well. Striped bass are found in these lake headwaters as well as drum, gar, white bass, bream, crappie, spotted bass and catfish. Most anglers simply run their boat all the way up to the dam and then make a mile long drift down the lake. Some anglers are successful while bumping their lures on bottom, fishing the middle water column and getting topwater bites as well on a number of lures.
As owner of Reeds Guide Service I have fished Pickwick lake for over 30 years and know it very well. I get phone calls and e-mails every week pertaining to this lake. I fish this lake many times each month and I know a lot of places down the lake (50 miles of navigable water), that I eventually fish as each fishing day lingers on. Still, no how many boats are on the lake I will often start my day searching for bass in these lake headwaters.
Why? You may ask. I know from fishing these lake headwaters (hundreds of times in all seasons over the past 30 years), no matter what the conditions, there are always some big bass cruising these lake headwaters in search of an easy meal. On any outing to these lake headwaters, as well as when waters begin to cool even more during the late fall to early winter period, you could actually hook into the smallmouth bass of a lifetime. This includes fooling some big largemouth bass and some huge, striped bass into striking your lures as well.
LURES FOR FOOLING THE BASS OF PICKWICK LAKE
No matter what species of bass you target (or all of them) on this lake, you can create a very long list of lures when deciding on what to bring to Pickwick Lake this fall and early winter seasons. Even in these lake headwaters (from Mcfarland park launch to the Wilson Lake dam), the lure choices range from dozens of various types of lures fished from top to bottom.
Not only is the importance of each lure you choose, but the size of your lures, the action each lure imparts, the lure color and even the way you manipulate each lure is important to your success…and you spending less time retrieving or breaking off hung lures in these rocky, boulder strewn Lake headwaters. So make a note right now: bring plenty of lures and a plug knocker! This includes items you may need to replace like spare rods and reels, fishing line in several line tests, various sizes of sinkers, hooks and jig heads. Even items for the boat like spare props for the outboard motor and trolling motor, oil, plenty of gas, pliers, screwdrivers and needle nose pliers.
Topwater Lures
This list of topwater lures (lures fished on the waters surface) grows and grows with each passing season and new topwater lures are springing up each year. But in Pickwick Lakes headwaters there are certain types of topwater lures that work better than others at times. So like said, bring plenty.
Prop Bait Topwaters - The lures that fall in this category are many, mainly due to the fact a prop bait can mean any topwater lure displaying either one or two propellers fore and aft. Baby Torpedoes are very popular topwater lures for fishing Pickwick Lakes headwaters. Below this dam a lot of 2-3 inch baitfish are washed through the dam discharge waters and they look like these small topwater lures featuring one propeller on the rear of the lure. Smaller versions called, “the tiny torpedo or the teeny torpedo” may work even better like when following a cold front, during very calm and clear water conditions, on days with bright, bluebird skies or even when faced with fishing pressure.
These prop bait topwaters should be fished on (preferably Trilene Big Game monofilament or fluorocarbon line in the 12-15 pound test category), making long casts with 6-7 foot rods, and then retrieving these prop baits with short jerks of the rod. This stop and go lure action creates a loud, swishing noise on the surface of the water, real similar to the sounds of fleeing shad and other baitfish found here. Colors of chrome / black back, chrome / blue back, gray ghost, or fire tiger usually work very well, in both looking like these baitfish and when made to imitate the small shad found here.
If its calm and very little current is evident, you may have to fish these lures with subtle actions or try downsizing to smaller models. If there is a slight ripple on the water and more current then you may fish these lures with harder jerks of the rod. If the conditions show its real windy, lots of current and a choppy look to the waters surface, you may need to go to a double prop bait topwater like a Crazy Shad (or for you old timers a Devils Horse), to create more noise and to aid in attracting these feeding bass to your lures.
Popping Type Topwaters - The old Rebel pop-r’s always come to mind, in fact many anglers just say, pop-r’s when referring to these topwaters featuring a concave mouth. But there are many types some old ones like those called chuggers, Hula Poppers or Chug Bugs all that work just as well as any of today’s poppers. Colors of shad or bream work well in these lake headwaters. Schooling bass will nail these loud, surface lures that actually sound like feeding bass when jerked real hard. Line of 12-15 pound test is suggested.
Walking Type Topwaters - This topwater list will always have to include the Zara Spook created by James Heddon, that started it all, over 80 years ago in the early 1900’s. It is my favorite walking type topwater lure (See: www.fishingalabama.com on the home page link, “Everything you always wanted to know about fishing the zara spook”), that now comes in 5 sizes. Most anglers throw the original size two hook zara spook on 14-20 pound test line. Some anglers downsize their spooks fishing the smaller versions zara pooch or zara pup on lighter line.
Other anglers either have the three hooked, Zara Super Spook handy or the Baby Super Spook tied on, for attracting some vicious topwater lure strikes found in Pickwick lakes headwaters. Anglers should keep in mind there are some oversized end of the year threadfin shad and gizzard shad that these bigger bass feed on. These topwater walking type lures really can simulate these type of prey. Colors vary among shad colors and chrome. The Spittin’ Image and the Lucky Craft Sammie are also good walking type topwater lures. I suggest 20 pound test monofilament line for these oversized offerings.
Fishing With Middle Water Column Lures
This lure category includes lures fished just under the waters surface, to five feet deep or more. In eddy areas like behind points or around big boulders found in these lake headwaters many of these bass suspend while waiting for the current to bring them an easy to catch meal. Often these bass will not rise to well placed topwater lure. At times they may be reluctant to move from their choice little spot to go to the lakes bottom and feed. So lures that run as they say, “right in their face” can trigger instinct strikes…other lures may fail to produce.
They may slam a slow moving spinnerbait (or dropped or slow rolled spinnerbait), or an erratic fished jerkbait (including soft jerkbaits, or floating and suspending hard bodied jerkbaits) or a shallow to deep diving crankbait (its according to what depth your fishing), may be the right lure. In this circumstance, without these suspended bass not having to move far or chase down a lure, these lures may work better than other lures. Keep in mind these bass feed a lot on crayfish found in these lake headwaters and lures such as No. 5 crayfish colored Shad Rap could just be the lure, besides just showing them baitfish colored lures all day. So experiment and always have several rods already rigged and ready.
Besides these lure types, there are other lures that are good choices for this technique. This could be rattling lipless lures like the namesake, “Bill Lewis Rattletraps”, or Cotton Cordell’s Rattlin’ Spots, etc. Experiment with smaller 1/4 ounce versions fished on lighter line of 12-15 pound test, like when facing into little current, or when seeing bass feeding on smaller baitfish, when faced with clear water clarity, following cold fronts or during bright, bluebird sky conditions. Use heavier, 1/2 ounce model lipless lures when in swifter current or when fishing deeper water. Colors of shad, chrome and crayfish are good choices.
Bottom Fished Lures
These are lures drug across the lakes bottom or lures allowed to entice bass holding just above the bottom. The rigging can be Texas style, Carolina rigged, drop shot rigged, rigged on a jig head or even fished weightless. The lure choices are many. Just visit any tackle store and most of the time half or their lure inventory could be soft plastics like worms of all sizes, lizards, grubs, shad imitations, Senkos, tube baits, crayfish imitations, creature type lures and small, finesse plastics fished on bottom.
Jigs, jig combos, jigging spoons or tail spinners are also fished on or near bottom. The problem is they do hang up a whole lot. This is time consuming, but you can usually retrieve most hung lures since these headwaters are shallow. Like said, bring plenty.
Pickwick Lakes Mid to Lower Lake
Besides fishing the lakes headwaters around Wilson Lake dam, there are other places that are productive this fall season on Pickwick lake. The nearby barge canal, bridge pilings, rock bluffs, river ledges, barge tie ups and wood cover such as laying trees, brush, stumps and logs. Or an angler can head down the lake and explore over 40 miles of incoming creeks, small cuts and pockets, main lake flats, creek mouths, submerged islands, visible islands and piers, boat houses and marinas. Or you can fish Pickwick Lake half a day, put the boat on the trailer, stop for a hamburger and be launching on upper Tennessee River Reservoir Wilson Lake in 30 minutes.
Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first! When planning a fishing trip to these north Alabama Impoundments on the Tennessee River System. Or any Alabama lake. Whether practicing for an upcoming bass tournament, fishing for fun or trophy bass fishing or when planning a family outing or corporate guided trip. We have several qualified boats and professional guides available year round. Discounts available.
Remember, a guided trip with Reeds Guide Service to any lake in Alabama makes a great surprise Birthday gift, Fathers Day gift or Christmas gift (certificates available), for those loved ones that love to fish. Call today (205) 787-5133, or e-mail me at alabassgyd@aol.com found on my website: www.fishingalabama.com for reservations this fall, winter or next year’s spring and summer seasons.
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:
Summertime Crappie Fishing on Weiss Lake
Article by: Kelly Matthews - www.weisslakeguides.com
Fishing In the Shade Summertime Crappie Tactics…by Kelly Matthews
Even though the outside temps are hot enough to make a camel beg for mercy, summertime fishing in August and September can be some of the best times to be on the water. It might surprise most crappie anglers but I catch a lot of good crappie this time of year shooting docks in as little as 2 - 3 feet of water. First thing I look for knowing it is summer and the boat traffic is going to be brutal on Weiss Lake is the little out the way places that you don’t see a lot of jet skies and ski boats. When fishing docks this shallow they will take a pounding by 3 foot waves when you have a lot of boat’s running back forth. Little coves and pockets close to the river channel is a great place to look for crappie under docks. I like to wait to around mid morning before I will start shooting docks. I like to wait for the sun to get high and hot to push the crappie even tighter to the docks looking for shade from the sun beating down on the water. Another little trick for success at shooting docks is boat position. I like to approach the docks with the sun to my face as to make sure I don’t cast a shadow with my boat around the dock. Crappie are very spooky fish this time of year and the more you can do to not let the crappie know your coming the more success you will have at this technique
Equipment - The best rod I have found for shooting docks is the BnM Sharpshooter. They have three available lengths in this rod but I like the 5 ½ footer the best. These rods are designed just for shooting docks and even though it is an Ultra Light rod you will have no trouble pulling that big slab out from under his hidden water haunts. The reel I use is BnM’s West Point Spinning Reel. It is very light weight reel and that helps keeping your combo light and manageable. In a full day shooting docks you may shoot 200 to 300 times so the lighter you can keep your combo the better off you will be. I do about all my crappie fishing except for spider rigging with 6 lb. Sufix Siege line in clear and the neon Tangerine. The Tangerine is a neon orange line that is very visible when watching for those faint little taps.
Lure - Lure color and type are one of the most important parts of shooting docks. The one that I have found that works great on every lake I have fished including Weiss is the Southern Pro 2 inch Crappie Stinger. The Crappie Stinger has a solid body with a whip / stinger type tail and holds up very well for this technique. The color that produces day in and day out would be Black/Blue with the chartreuse stinger tail. Southern Pro has available eleven colors in the 2 inch Crappie Stinger but for shooting docks with a lot of shade I like to stay with the darker colors. The size jig head you use is very critical in presenting the bait that catches the crappie but surprise. You want a light jig head for these shallow water docks and most time’s I am using a 1/24 oz jig head. This lets the jig hit the water with very little noise and also lets the jig fall in natural slow fluttering manner.
Presentation - I like to shoot the jig right at the dock pilings in the very back of the dock. Most time’s the crappie will hit the jig within the first foot or two when on the fall. If you get no hits on the fall let your lure go all the way to the bottom and then start a slow steady retrieve back to the boat. A lot of times you will catch crappie as soon as your lure breaks the shadow line that the docks puts off. I like to work the dock very thorough shooting at every piling before moving on.
Tips - Here are a few things to know that may help you when shooting docks in the summer. Like I said before look for those little out of the way places that don’t see much boat traffic. Another key to shooting docks is to look for things on the docks like rod holders mounted to the dock lights close to the water. This lets you know that this dock is fished regularly and there is structure close by. If there is structure around the dock there will be crappie under it that the owner cant get to. Some of the best docks I shoot here on Weiss Lake in the summertime is docks that are in 6 to 8 foot water at the very end and are built on shallow water points with deeper water close by. Wait until the sun gets up high and hot around 10:00 am that is when the crappie will be holding tight under these dock.
Most crappie anglers put up there gear after the spring spawn waiting for the first sign of fall. Summertime can be just as good if you will try this technique, you just have to experiment with different area’s of the lake but when you find those special docks they will produce crappie day in and day out all summer long…
Thanks for your time and I will see you Weiss…
Kelly Matthews
www.weisslakeguides.com
Originally Published (2007)
Resources:
Wilson Lake Summer Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
LOWER LAKE
From Wilson dam to Wheeler dam is only a little less than 16 miles. Although a very small lake and a very short distance from dam to dam, compared to the 50 plus miles of other Tennessee River impoundment’s, this small lake has big rewards.
Like the one received, by some fortunate angler that caught the world record smallmouth bass in the 50’s. Or the lady that caught a 13 pound largemouth bass, while fishing below Wheeler dam. Or the many anglers that have successfully hooked and landed striped bass and catfish, in excess of 30 pounds. It also has an excellent bream population, an abundance of catfish, hybred-striped bass, white bass, and even a decent sized crappie population.
All of these, and other fish species, can be found while fishing the lakes lower end. Here, like other Tennessee River impoundment’s, the lake was backed up with towering rock bluffs, now flooded, years after impoundment.
Small pockets, and main lake flats, in addition to the cooler, shady areas, found under piers, boat houses and overhanging rock bluffs, are all excellent spots to search out both the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, during day and night fishing excursions, this summer.
Not far from Wilson dam, on the lakes Northeastern shores is a feeder creek worth exploring this summer. Shoal Creek, spanned at its midsection by Hwy.72 bridge, shows nice catches of largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, stripers (and even crappie under the bridge at night with lights), even when its very hot. Across the lake, McKierman Creek is smaller, but does has deep water access and a good fish population.
MID LAKE
Hidden, underwater humps can’t be seen, but a good map will reveal these mid lake spots, anglers can find huge schools of bass bunched up in this summer. Just above Shoal Creek, are two feeder creeks named Six
Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek. Scan a map and look out in front of these small feeders, at midlake, to discover humps that can be found with some depthfinder use.
Town Creek, found on the lakes Southeastern side, is a good creek for finding a variety of fish this summer, all seeking the current and cooler mountainous waters found in this creek’s headwaters. As you enter this
creek beware of floating logs and shallow, stump rows. The weedy islands in the creek mouth hold quality fish all summer. As do the many piers and boat houses found here.
UPPER LAKE
Look for surfacing fish, at the lakes headwaters this summer. Fishing below Wheeler dam in Wilson Lakes headwaters, anglers can encounter line stretching fish, when targeting surfacing or schooling activity on top.
There is a lock to explore, rocky bluffs, rock islands and rip-rap lined banks, for targeting shallow fish found in the 5-10 foot range all summer.
Feeder creeks in these lake headwaters are few. On the lakes Northeastern shores is Blue Water Creek. Log jams, creek flats, weed beds, rock bluffs, and piers, this small creek has it all for the versatile creek-fishing angler.
The same goes for Big Nancy Creek, found on the lakes Southeastern side, near the dam. It has a twisting, winding creek channel, with 5-10 foot depths. Log jams, laying trees, stumps, brush piles, rock bluffs and a
bridge that crosses midways of this creek, shows a lot of fish relating to a variety of cover, all throughout the summer months.
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:
Ice Fishing For Crappie
Crappie can be caught throughout the winter, but you are going to have to fish deeper water than you will fish with other panfish. In early and late winter, you can find them in shallower water, often in water less than 15 feet deep. Throughout the middle of winter, look for them in deeper water. Crappie will suspend higher up than most other panfish. They can often be caught 10 to 15 feet down in 30 feet of water. Start fishing for the early and late winter crappie in water close to their spring and fall positions. They will be near structure just outside of these areas. If you caught lots of crappies off of a point in 3 to 4 feet of water, see if there is a drop-off into 15 feet of water. You will probably find some fish here. In the middle of winter, follow that drop-off into water that is deeper than 20 feet and you’ll have a good chance at finding crappies. To help you find fish over a large area, tip-ups can be used. Once you find a good hole, drill other holes in the same area. Fishing with small minnows rigged with a split shot, hook, and bobber will take the most crappies throughout the year. Anglers will use small jigs and jigging spoons, however, live bait will catch more fish consistently. Try tipping your jigs with small crappie minnows and wax worms for the best results.
Resources:
Trolling Crankbaits for Crappie
While vertical jigging with jigs and live bait are the preferred methods for catching crappie, trolling crankbaits can be a productive method for locating fish and catching some bigger slab crappie.
Trolling is typically better when crappie are located in depths from 8 to 15 feet deep. It can be tricky getting your small crankbaits down to these depths, but adding a weight 2 to 3 feet in front of your lure (carolina rig style) will help you get down deep enough.
Trolling crankbaits for crappie usually pays off when fish are scattered on large flats, along drop-offs or when you just can’t find a school of fish on your graph. Trolling can be a good way to put some fish in the boat while trying to locate the bigger schools. Mark the spots where you catch a crappie so you can make more passes in those areas.
Combining trolling with vertically jigging can definitely put more fish in the boat. Use trolling to help locate the active fish, then come back and drop a jig down on the school of crappies.
Trolling crankbaits usually attracts more big fish bites than jigs or live bait, but don’t expect to catch as many fish. This isn’t the case every time, but there are better techniques for putting more crappies in the boat on a consistent basis.
Resources:
Crankbaits for Crappie
Smaller (micro) crankbaits can work well for crappie, especially bigger crappie. The 2 to 4 inch crankbaits will catch crappie, although, crankbaits don’t take nearly as many crappie as jigs or live bait.
The upside of using crankbaits is that you can cover some water a lot quicker than with a jig or live bait and the average sized crappie caught on a crankbait is typically bigger than those caught on jigs or live bait.
The downside is that you may only catch a couple of fish off of a spot with a crankbait while a jig or live bait could give you your limit.
Crankbaits for crappie isn’t for everyone, but they do work, especially for slab crappie.
Resources:
Spider Rigging for Crappie
Spider rigging is a popular method for catching crappie on Kentucky Lake and we’re sure that many crappie anglers use this technique on other lakes as well. (Spider rigging involves using many rods, so this technique may not be possible to use if your state’s fishing regulations allows the use of one or two rods at a time)
Spider rigging is a simple setup where crappie fishermen will have 4 or 5 rods off the front of the boat or the back of the boat. Minnows are usually the bait of choice and each rod will be set up at a different depth to help you find the best depth on any given day. For example, you may be fishing a drop-off with some brush piles in 17 feet of water. One rod will be a foot off the bottom, one will be 2 feet off the bottom, one will be 3 feet off the bottom, etc.
If you are getting most of your bites at a certain depth, it is smart to put the majority, if not all of your rods at that specific depth. When the action is hot, it can get a little crazy with all of the rods out, but when the action is slow, spider rigging can be the key to putting more crappie in your livewell.
A nice rod holder setup is ideal to keep everything under control. You need to make sure your lines are far enough from each other and the trolling motor to eliminate tangles, but still close enough to you so you can easily grab the rod when you get a bite.
For more information on the lake, please visit Kentucky Lake.
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
Kentucky Lake has some outstanding crappie Fishing. Hit it right on this lake and you can fill the livewell in a hurry.
Spring - The annual crappie spawn usually takes place during the last week of March or the first couple of weeks in April. It all depends on the weather.
The pre-spawn is the time to catch crappie staging at the mouths of bays and creeks. At times, they will school up in very big schools from 10 to 17 feet of water. As the spawn arrives, crappie can still be spread out at various depths. A cold front will move fish back out into deeper water during this time of year, so it really takes a good week or so of warmer weather to get these fish going. Once they start their spawn, the black crappie will move into the shallows first and you can be catching black crappie in 1 to 2 feet of water while other anglers are catching white crappie off of brush piles in 17 feet of water. This can make it frustrating to find a pattern, but once you get a good week of consistent warm weather and the water temperature gets into the low 60s, you may have 2 full weeks to catch crappie shallow. Once the black crappie start to move out, there will still be some white crappie moving into the shallows.
Summer - It takes an experienced crappie fishermen to consistently catch crappie in the summer. These fish will move out to deeper water. Some fish will still be along the deeper creek channels, but a lot of the big schools of crappie will move out onto the main lake. Many of the guides do really well in the summer because they have numerous gps points of areas that hold brush piles. Even if you only catch a fish or two off of each brush pile, a good guide may have 50 or spots that he knows about. If you hit it right, you’ll only need to hit a few of their better spots.
Fall brings cooler water temperatures and this will help move the crappie into the creeks and bays again, although, they won’t be as shallow as they were in the spring. For those deep water crappie anglers, there will still be schools of crappie in deeper water on the main lake, especially as water temperatures cool down into the low 60s and upper 50s.
Winter fishing is tough for crappie, but they will school up in deeper water on the main lake. If you can find some of these schools, fish very slow and downsize your baits. Small jigs tipped with a live minnow, just the head of a minnow or wax worms will work. A double jig rigged with plastics can also be effective.
Some of the popular techniques for catching crappie on Kentucky Lake are veritcal jigging with small jigs tipped with tubes or live bait, bobber fishing with minnows, drop-shotting with minnows and spider rigging.
For more information on the lake, please visit Kentucky Lake.
Fish Relate To Cover and Structure
Cover is essential to most fish species. Weeds, docks, wood, brush, flooded grass, reeds and fish cribs are all types of cover that fish love. You can expect to find many different types of fish around cover throughout the year. The depth of the cover plus the current water temperature will dictate what types of cover fish will be using. Sunny days will also help push fish into cover as they try to find some shade.
Structure is the different bottom countours. A flat bottom contour usually doesn’t hold many fish. A bottom that goes from 4 to 6 feet down into 15 to 20 feet may be a good area to fish. Many types of fish will come shallow to feed, but they like having deep water nearby to escape to. If there was cover on this piece of structure, this area would be even better. There may be fish cribs or brush piles or a weed line along this dropoff. If that’s the case, this will probably hold all types of fish at some point - bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, northern pike, muskie, etc.
Try to find areas that have shallow water with deep water nearby. Any humps or sudden drop-offs are good areas to start with. If you can find cover in these areas, you may have found the best spots in the lake to fish.
Cover and structure are very important to fish and most anglers can put more fish in the boat by finding areas to fish that have irregular bottom countours that have some type of cover as well.
