Fall and Early Winter Fishing on Lake Eufaula
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Lake Eufaula…back then
Lake Eufaula. No not the one in Oklahoma. Lake Eufaula (officially known as Walter F. George Reservoir) is located in the southern region of the United States. It is situated along the Alabama / Georgia State lines on the Chattahoochee River. Impounded in 1963, the lake is now 43 years old.
I’ve fished, guided and even competed in a few bass tournaments on Lake Eufaula for over 30 years. In addition (in my spare time), I’ve explored this 45,180 acre lake, from one end of this huge 70 mile long impoundment, to the other. Prior to that, my Father and Uncle (both now passed on to catching even bigger bass up above) fished Lake Eufaula together, from the week the lake was first opened to the public in 1963, for over 30 years as well.
I’ve gained a whole lot of knowledge about Lake Eufaula over the recent years, seen a lot of changes and you could say, “I know it very well.” Not only about fishing Lake Eufaula in all seasons (when both at full pool and when down during drought or winter pool) but in knowing how to navigate my boat throughout this shallow water impoundment during low water… when it can be very dangerous for inexperienced boaters to attempt to navigate.
I can remember those days of bringing in huge bass, often with as many as a dozen bass over 5 pounds, caught in just one days fishing. I’ve seen and netted several big largemouth bass over that magical ten pound mark, including two 12 pounders. My father and uncle (like most anglers of that time) were fish eaters and those old, red metal Coca Cola ice chests were always slap full of fish. Always plenty of food for feeding a big family of that time.
Back then (in the 60’s and 70’s), we either fished the lakes lower end, the middle portion of the lake or to lakes upper end, always launching on the Alabama side of the lake. There were major boat launches all over the lake when it first opened, but there were a few we visited regularly. If we planned on fishing the lakes lower end (near the dam), we launched at Hardridge Creek on the Alabama side of the lake. It had no facilities back then and was a free boat launch. Hardridge Creek had very little weeds in the 60’s, no gators and plenty of standing timber left in the lake during impoundment for us to explore.
Of course we could always run the boat nearby to the huge, 2 mile long rip-rap rock lined Eufaula dam and always plan on catching largemouth bass, many weighing from 5-10 pounds. Usually this was successfully accomplished despite the conditions with one type of lure. We found lots of line tugging action on that dam by slowly exploring the rocks with Tom Mann’s worms, like those Mann’s Hobo worms (which came 100 to the bag for $2.00) or his world famous Mann’s Jelly worms and Mann’s Augertail worms.
If we planned on fishing Lake Eufaula’s mid to upper portion we either launched at White Oak Creek or launched at world famous, Chewalla Creek Marina and boat launch. There at Chewalla Creek Marina we displayed many big bass for pictures, all hung on the bragging board of Chewalla Creek boat launch. Memories that now fill our scrapbooks with pictures for others to gaze upon for years to come.
Eufaula…today
Today, we just take their pictures and let them go. Catch and Release. Back then we did not even no what that term meant. Even during the earlier years of B.A.S.S. / Bassmasters Bass Tournaments many anglers weighed in their bass brought to the scales on fish stringers (and even some smaller ones brought to the scales in coffee cans) for “catch and release” was not yet even a spoken term. We just did not know any better.
Eufaula has changed a lot over the past 40 plus years and today it is a totally different impoundment. Although it still produces largemouth bass exceeding ten pounds, there are not as many trophy bass taken by anglers as before. Fishing pressure. Any time you see lake with such world renowned recognition as Lake Eufaula is for big bass, it gets pounded regularly by hopeful bass anglers from all over the globe. Also at times (like during the spring season), there can be as many as a dozen or more bass tournaments on this lake on any given Saturday or Sunday.
Lake Eufaula’s appearance has changed to. The standing timber (left here during impoundment) is all but gone. Stumps, laying trees, brush piles and other wood cover (including planted fish attractors) have mostly just deteriorated away. Now there are those aquatic weeds for bass to relate to. Weeds of all kinds that provide cover and plenty of oxygen rich habitat for both predator and prey to take up residence in, mostly growing during the seasons of spring, summer and fall. Winter season shows the lake drawn down (extremely low in recent years) to aid in flood control, often as low as 4-6 feet below normal full pool levels. Aquatic weeds anglers fish most of year such as bulrush, maiden cane, cattails and lilly pads are left high and dry during lake drawdown and become obsolete as fish habitat during winter.
But there is recent surge of two new type of aquatic weeds growing throughout Lake Eufaula, weeds that can grow during the winter season and weeds that can grow in deep water. Eurasian millfoil and Hydrilla aquatic weeds are spreading throughout the lakes mid to lower portion every year. Weeds that were once foreign to this lake recently introduced to Lake Eufaula by anglers that launch their boats after fishing other weed infested waters on other lakes.
An example is Guntersville Lake in Alabama or Lake Seminole in Georgia, both lakes of which are now choked out with these aquatic weeds that grow very thick and matted when left unattended. The good side is anglers like it, bass like it and the small fish and crayfish the bass dine on like it. Millfoil an hydrilla weeds also hold bass during the middle portion of the day, making them very susceptible to your lures.
Fishing Lake Eufaula during October, November and December
Fishing Lake Eufaula during the fall period is often as good as the spring season, but with less company. Anglers hanging up their rods in exchange for guns are now in the nearby woods deer hunting. Some would be anglers are home watching football. While still others have given up until next year, actually covering up their boats and parking them until next spring. To bad. They are missing out on some of the year’s best big bass action and they could still have a shot at plenty of fish catching action found lake wide.
Fall. Gone are the temperamental attitudes of the bass like during the spring spawn and picky feeding bass schools following shad schools in deep water this summer. These bass now invade the shallows of main lake flats and feeder creeks with one thing in mind, to fatten up and put on the needed fat reserves for the cold winter months ahead. Its true, like said the rest of the year, “Find the baitfish and find the bass.” This not only goes for exploring the over 500 miles of shoreline cover found in the shallows of Lake Eufaula (now exposed with lake drawdown) but getting out on the main river and fishing deeper water found along drop-offs and creek and river channel ledges, for bass relating to deep water places, they will soon inhibit during winter.
As waters cool in October and November anglers fishing the weeds will have success with a variety of modern day enticing lures. Unlike the days of long ago there are now many lure choices to aid an angler in fooling these Lake Eufaula largemouth bass…bass that have seen a lot of tempting offerings during this past spring and summer seasons. But bass forget. They have a short term memory and many, normally lure conditioned bass, may not have even seen a lure of any kind recently, since not as many anglers are now on the water.
Weedless lures are the lures of choice. Why fish with frustrating lures that grab the weeds on every cast resulting in no bites at all and possibly mean losing costly lures? Save the treble hook lures like topwaters, lipless lures, jerkbaits and crankbaits for open water fishing away from the weeds. Of course this goes for fishing wood cover in the shallows to, more of which becomes visible with winter pool and lake drawdown.
So arm yourself with a variety of weedless offerings if you plan on fishing Lake Eufaula’s few remaining weeds this fall and early winter seasons. Lures like floating worms and soft jerkbaits are good for times when nothing else works. Fished slow and with very long casts in and around millfoil and hydrilla weeds these soft plastics lures do fool bass and they are very weedless. Monofilament line tests of 12-15 pounds are needed for these lures.
Frog and small mice imitation lures continue to fool bass that have dined on these tasty morsels all summer long. Buzzbaits and spinnerbaits are also still productive lures around weed and wood cover found in the shallows of creeks and main lake flats. Some anglers have developed a technique of swimming lures (lures normally fished on bottom) along weed edges and around wood and rock cover. Swimming a jig combo is a deadly tactic that covers water fast for big bass during the Fall and early winter period. Monofilament line in the 20 pound class is suggested for all of these lures. Some anglers use braided line. Strong rods in lengths of 6-7 feet, wide spooled reels and sharp hooks are also suggested.
The old favorite the Texas rigged worm in lengths of 6-10 inches continue to fool Lake Eufaula’s largemouth bass, just like 40 years ago. Texas rigged or Carolina rigged plastics such as worms, lizards, crayfish imitations, tube baits and creature type baits are also good lure choices whether you fish shallow water or deep water this fall and early winter seasons.
Deep water fishing for bass has its limitations when it comes to lure choices, but there are plenty of old stand bys that always fool some bass. The problem is many anglers have to stay on the move to find that motherlode of bass in deep water. These deep water bass often bunch up on certain, preferred locations during the late fall and early winter periods. Sticking with three lure types will help you narrow down your lure selection when targeting bass in or near deep water.
Worms or other bottom type plastics and jig combos always work here. Deep diving crankbaits or lipless crankbaits are good for covering lots of water fast and for triggering dormant bass to bite. Spinnerbaits, although usually associated with fishing shallow water, are great lure choices for probing deep water hangouts. Some anglers fish heavy 1-2 ounce spinnerbaits on 7 foot rods coupled with 20 pound test monofilament or braided line, fishing with a lift and drop presentation in deep water situations.
So give Lake Eufaula a try this fall and early winter season, you will like the results! Just like years ago big bass still live in the lake just waiting for some lucky (or skilled angler) to discover! Or call on Reeds Guide Service for fishing this lake or any Alabama Lake year round. Be safe, dress warm and always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch…it might just save your life!
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:
Fall Bass Fishing on Guntersville Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Guntersville Lake in north Alabama is Alabama’s largest, man made Impoundment. It is a huge lake by most standards at 69,200 surface acres of water and over 82 miles of navigable water. The town of Guntersville, Al. borders the lake on its lower end, showing the lake stretching from Guntersville Lake dam (lower lake / just above Wheeler Lake), to the lakes headwaters situated below Hales Bar Dam upstream, all featured on the twisting and turning waters of the mighty, Tennessee River System.
The lake is now nearing 70 years since its impoundment. Its getting to be a very old lake and like most older lakes Guntersville lake has seen both the ups and downs all impoundments go through with each passing year. Some good some bad. Pollution, the poisonous spraying of aquatic weeds, the introduction of aquatic weed-eating grass carp fish species, increasing recreational use, barge traffic and fishing pressure are just some of the downsides. The good sides?
Ask any angler and most will exclaim, ” The grass is what makes Guntersville Lake the best bass lake in Alabama”. Lures fished from top to bottom in, around and within this grass fool some big largemouth bass in all seasons on Guntersville Lake. Although there are some smallmouth bass and spotted bass, the largemouth’s are the dominate bass species and they rule on Guntersville Lake. Especially during the fall.
Fishing in and around all the many types of weeds found on this lake, involves many lure choices. Lures that simulate or look like these prey these aquatic weed dwelling bass are accustomed to feeding on, will generate strikes all throughout this fall season. Often on into the colder days of the early winter season, for winter warming trends can trigger these bass to feed and after all, they have got to eat.
When Guntersville lake was impounded in 1939 it lacked any huge amount of aquatic weeds such as milfoil, moss, hydrilla and Lilly pads. Today, the huge amount of these types of weeds and other aquatic weeds is what makes Guntersville lake such an excellent fishery, especially for big, largemouth bass. The thick and often matted weeds such as milfoil and hydrilla offer security for the dozens of prey these largemouth bass dine on with regularity. This means anglers should be fishing with one or several of the many types of lures on today’s market. Plainly put, those lures that look like the meals these bass eat.
The entire lake is loaded with many species of small minnows, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, yellowtail shad, skip jack herring, bream, sunfish, crappie, shell crackers and even crayfish, all that make their homes in and around these aquatic weeds most of the spring, summer, fall and early winter seasons. Largemouth bass have plenty to eat on this lake and they grow big dining on these prey and other meals. Besides baitfish and crayfish these largemouth bass will consume small mice, worms, lizards, snakes, small water fowl, insects and frogs, if given the chance. They are now feeding and fattening up for the upcoming winter season, often evident in the shallows all day.
Many bass exceeding ten pounds have been reported being caught in the recent years (some weighing in the teens), and the fall season and early winter period is when many of these really trophy sized bass are fooled, especially when fishing the shallow, weedy waters of Guntersville Lake, in the right place with the right kind of lure. There are certain techniques many knowledgeable anglers employ when faced with trying to decipher the often intimidating weeds featured throughout Guntersville Lakes waters. Some first timers can really struggle with so many choices of weedy waters to fish…found lake wide.
Narrowing your search. That’s the goal of any angler whether your just fishing, competing in a major bass tournament or just trophy, bass fishing. Finding bass in a small area and concentrating all of your years of fishing experience (and fishing expertise), all into hopefully, one fantastic day of fishing. All when relying on your confidence, your lure choice and your ability to adapt to certain conditions and situations. On Guntersville Lake, as waters begin to cool there will be many changes an angler has to face this fall in order to adapt and still catch fish.
Unknown to many people, those that don’t fish (yes, there are some), there are some actually some very good reasons why these “professional bass anglers” practice for an upcoming bass tournament. Practice often means traveling throughout the lake, not in just one day, but usually in several days of fishing or just riding and looking over the entire lake, eventually narrowing your search.
Practice does often mean burning a lot of gas and oil in the boat eliminating useless water and to help you in concentrating your efforts in the future on places you find quality bites and big bass during previous trips. This can get expensive with the price of gas and oil, for both your eight cylindered tow vehicle and that big, horse powered motor on your big bass boat. Launching at various boat launches found throughout the lake can help cut down on fishing costs like gas, instead of running all over the lake. Or sharing the expenses with another angler can cut your costs in half, both during practice and during competition.
During the fall on Guntersville Lake your “practice period” means spotting feeding birds and looking for lots of evident baitfish and fish feeding activity. This can take place in those certain little spots many anglers overlook. Wind blown banks are often overlooked and at times even avoided by anglers seeking calmer waters. This can be a bank that was calm at dawn, but by mid day it has been pounded for hours with by cold, 20-30 m.p.h. northerly winds, as fall’s ever increasing cold fronts come in with each passing week. Or a bank with southerly winds blowing directly into it can feature pockets of warm, southerly waters of a few degrees more - than cooler waters only a few hundred yards away - often inducing bass to feed.
Another couple of often overlooked situations that always take place during the fall and winter period throughout massive, Guntersville Lake is water clarity (from clear to muddy) and falling water temperature. Although this past summer season showed drought, no rain for weeks, hot, bright and scorching bluebird skies and soaring air temperatures of 105 degrees for weeks, there were still active bass in the shallows. Water clarity soon just became…clear, in late August. Fall rains can change all that.
Guntersville’s waters can get stained with another factor besides incoming rain water, one that can stain the waters situated along miles and miles of flatlands found on Guntersville Lake. Even with no rain there is always some water that displays a slightly stained look, giving bass a feeling of security and aiding them in feeding more in the shallows.
There are countless miles of creek backwaters and main lake flats that are affected by the flow of current in this lake. When water is drawn at the lower lakes dam (or current drawn through both Guntersville Lake dam and Hales Bar dam), it creates current in the lake and its incoming feeder creeks. This current stirs up the lakes bottom. This mixes the upper and lower water column and creates a stained look when the lakes muddy bottom and weedy waters are combined.
Noisy topwater lures like buzzbaits, or lures that emit flash and vibration like spinnerbaits and lures with built in internal rattles such as crankbaits, jerkbaits, lipless lures and lures fished on or near bottom like worms, lizards, tube baits and jig combos, can all attract strikes from these bass in stained water situations. These bass cannot see as well in stained waters so they use their lateral line and inner ear when cruising or feeding during these stained water conditions.
Fish Guntersville Lake this fall season and learn a few techniques and fishing factors of your own, that will aid you in fooling that “bass of lifetime” into hitting your lure. Or call on Reeds Guide Service…first! “Guntersville Lake’s most well known, oldest, professional Guide Service, guiding on Guntersville Lake for over 30 years.” Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service makes a great gift for Birthday’s, Father’s Day, Christmas (certificates available) or any occasion, for those loved ones that love to fish. Several professional guides and quality bass boats available year round, for multiple parties and corporate guided trips. See my website www.fishingalabama.com for more info.
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:
Lake Guntersville Fall Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Largemouth bass fishing during the Fall season on Alabama’s largest man made reservoir Guntersville Lake, is as comparable to fishing any other lake in the South, especially when it really begins to cool. Yes, it is as good as it gets. Not particularly for fooling some really trophy sized largemouth bass (although it is possible), or for catching a dozen five pound plus bass in one day’s fishing, which can happen as well, but for numbers of bass.
For anglers visiting this huge 69,100 acre reservoir situated in North Alabama, there is one thing sure they can rely on. Anglers fishing Guntersville Lake this Fall season will be noted for catching numbers of bass, with a bonus bass or two over 5 pounds expected on any trip. Something many anglers cannot honestly say about any other Alabama Lake they frequently bass fish. Why is this so? Numbers of bass. That’s why.
Guntersville Lake (67 years since impoundment) is loaded with thousands of bass, all found lake wide, no matter what season you choose to fish it. Its a lake loaded with aquatic weeds such as millfoil, hydrilla, Lilly pads and coontail moss. All of which provides loads of cover, oxygen and predator and prey habitat for these bass and the prey they feed on to survive within. This past Spring the lake went on an upswing for providing numbers of anglers with dozens bass in the 5 -10 pound range. Guntersville Lake also produced some huge, trophy sized largemouth bass, from the late winter period (prespawn bass) until late spring (post spawn bass), when even with empty bellies and weak from the rituals of the spring spawn, big bass continued to feed in the shallows.
By this past Summer things slowed (about July) on the Big G. as hot 90 degree days slowly crept in sending some bass back towards the comfort of deep water and some anglers back towards the comfort of air conditioning, T V and a nice couch. Shallow bass seemed almost non existent this past Summer when things really began to heat up, especially when they were buried up deep within weeds so thick many anglers failed to even connect with them. Many anglers found these shallow bass to be a lot more cooperative at dawn, late in the evening or some anglers resulted to fishing all night long with success. By August, hot upper 90 degree days (some days 100 degrees) and very little rain to cool things down, enticed some anglers to entirely eliminate fishing during the midday hours. But relief is in sight.
As Fall gets underway the month September will show some major relief. The first few weeks of September will seem tremendously cooler (even with low 80 degrees days), when compared with Summer’s upper 90 degree days. October will bring cooler days and nights and much more aggression to the bass, as they feed in the shallows more and more each day. November is the month of changes. Some bass anglers are home watching football, or out in the woods deer hunting. While others have parked the boat until next spring due to November’s constant incoming cold fronts.
So after over 30 seasons of consistent Fall action I have learned what to expect each month during this Fall season while fishing Guntersville Lake. This readies me for each trip as I always consider the previous conditions, current conditions, the upcoming weather and the changes to expect on each trip. Throughout the lake, each fishing excursion is always full of excitement on Alabama’s massive, 82 mile long, Guntersville Lake each month during the Fall season.
September
The Fall season does not officially get underway until September 22, a time when a new moon begins and fishing it seems, is new as well. These bass of early Fall can turn on as simple as flicking on a light switch. From one week to the next, anglers will see fishing improve in the shallows as these bass find much more comfortable surroundings, can trigger them to feed more often during the daylight hours.
Its like someone sticking us in a 90 degree room with no air conditioning or them placing us in a comfortable 70 degree room with all the comforts of home. The water temperatures will begin to cool immediately, from the uncomfortable, hot upper 80 degrees water temperatures found during late Summer period, to the low 80’s very evident during early to mid September. By the middle of the month, more changes, low to mid 70’s air temperatures can occur more frequently with noticeably cooler nights in the 60’s. By the end of September (its according to how many incoming cold fronts we have) it can cool into the 60’s.
Along with the change in the air temperatures, Fall rains and cloudy periods from passing fronts become more frequent by late September, inducing bass (and bass anglers) to head for the shallows. More changes. Heavy rains can muddy up Guntersville’s Lake headwaters and major, incoming feeder creeks during the Fall season. Falling or rising lake levels can occur as well. Although Guntersville Lake is not dropped very low for winter pool, anglers can expect it to be lowered this Fall at least 1-2 feet below normal full pool (595.0) levels, usually taking place around October. Besides cooling water temperatures, falling lake levels and bass heading back towards the shallows, anglers can expect loads of lures (more info next) to produce around Guntersville Lake’s weedy flats as the month of October shows fishing…like they say, “Is as good as it gets.”
October
Cooler nights become more frequent and cooler days become increasingly evident as each trip during October (the early Fall period in Alabama), calls for more and more clothing when fishing Guntersville Lake. Never go on a fishing trip in North Alabama during the Fall period without a rainsuit, rubber boots, jumpsuit, toboggan, gloves and a heavy coat. Including plenty of spare clothing for emergencies as well. You may need these items on any trip during the mid Fall to Winter period, so you might as well go ahead and make plans to pack these necessary items for each trip. Believe me, you will be glad you did.
Sure its cold and rainy, but October can be the beginning of more than two months of the years best bass fishing on Guntersville Lake, especially when you can pick your fishing days. But be prepared, it can be a lonely month as well with few anglers on the water. Or maybe you are already prepared with all the company you had these past few months.
Lures for Fishing Guntersville Lake this Fall
Lures for fishing Guntersville Lake are many, as are the opinions and suggestions of each outdoor writer, fishing guide, marina operator, fishing buddy or professional angler. All of which are for sure going to promote their favorite brand of lure, perfect size lure, lure color, lure type or lure cost, especially when it means sales. Cha-ching I think they call it.
Truth is most anglers know how to fish, generally what color lures to choose and when to fish certain lures that produce what we all are looking for…bites! There are even times (on most lakes) when it seems like a certain style or type of lure, certain color, exact lure size or even the way its fished…seems to get more bites than other lures. There are times when certain lures out produce others when it comes to getting bites.
But what it all boils down to is lure preference, confidence in your lure selection and experience fishing today’s wide variety of lures, many lures of which can be fished in dozens of various ways. Some anglers just have more of these three, self-made things (like it takes to build years of on the water experience), than others do. Until you do, you will still be open to suggestions and ask others for their suggestions. So here’s just a few of mine!
For one thing (and boy will I get contradicted for this one) I think every lure in your tackle box will produce largemouth bass, both in shallow water and deep water year round on Guntersville Lake. I have seen every lure type that is fished from top to bottom produce in all season’s on Guntersville Lake.
Topwaters? Yep. Just this past 2006 late Winter season in an Airport Marine’s first bass tournament of the season I had a couple of bass in the 3-4 pound range, fishing in 43 degree water, while having to constantly dip my rod in the water to keep the eyes from freezing up. Both bass came on topwaters. One on a scum frog and another (that missed a Zara Super Spook in practice on Friday), I caught Saturday in the tournament on the same Zara Spook, same spot, it missed the day before! Unbelievable! My tournament partner (that does my website: www.fishingalabama.com) can be reached by going to the cover page bottom at; Arrell Internet Services. He will attest to the fact…its true! Those are the coldest topwater bites I have ever had while fishing every lake in Alabama!
Deep diving crankbaits fished of course in deep water, work year round on Guntersville Lake. Fall is a great time (like the rest of the year) when crankbaits will produce quality catches lake wide. This is true fishing along creek and main river channel drop-offs, along rip-rap lined banks and around creek and river channel humps, bars, points, islands, submerged islands and high spots most only found with some map study or the use of a depth finder.
Colors? Stained water, fish brighter colors such as chartreuse / blue back or crayfish colors with maybe brown on the back and red or orange on the belly. Clear to lightly stained water, fish shad colors, chrome or natural colors. Or mix it up.
Lure types? Now that’s where a matter of choice comes in. I’m from the old school, so I fish a lot of old dependable lures, many of which can still be bought today. I have boxes of Norman’s DD-22 deep divers, Bagley’s DB-3’s, Tom Mann’s Loudmouth series deep divers, Deep diving Number 7 & 8 Rapala deep diving crankbaits, even some old Rebel Maxi R’s, Wee-r’s and some Mudbugs and Hellbenders! But I still shop around and there are many other deep diving crankbaits that will produce as well on Guntersville Lake this Fall, so experiment!
November
Its the last month of Fall in Alabama. To many anglers the month of November displays a feast or famine on each consecutive trip. One trip you kill em’ catching bass on all types of lures. The next trip it seems they have lock jaw and you can’t get a bite. Reason being? Many.
Like said cold fronts, heavy rains, fluctuating lake levels all take place during the late Fall period. Each one, especially when combined together, can really throw a curve ball in your fishing game plan. So, as when planing any fishing outing, timing is essential for a successful trip. I always look back a week or two to see what has taken place on Guntersville Lake and I look forward to see what’s planned for lake levels, current conditions or the upcoming weather. Like a boy scout, Be prepared.
Lure selection has not been mentioned a whole lot in this Fall Lake report for Guntersville Lake, for a good reason. They will hit any lure in the box, so writing space is limited. But like most anglers I’m full of suggestions so here are a few favorites if mine for fishing lake wide throughout this Fall season and early Winter period or like said…all year long!
Topwaters. Yes, they continue to work even in low 60’s down to 50 (or less) degree water. Frogs, rats, Zara Spooks, Sammie’s, buzzbaits, single and double bladed prop-baits, popping type topwaters like Pop-R’s, floating worms of all colors, soft jerkbaits and all other topwater types should be tried.
Spinnerbaits always fool some bass on Guntersville Lake. Small models with small blades in clear water and larger, more gaudy type spinnerbaits featuring bright colors in stained water.
Jerkbaits are excellent lures during the Fall on Guntersville Lake. Hard bodied models in floating and suspending models work lake wide. Soft bodied jerkbaits as well.
Rattling lipless lures, such as the name sake, “Rattletrap” lure, cover water fast and they get the big bass bite many anglers overlook on Guntersville Lake. Fish quarter ounce or half ounce sizes shallow and three quarter ounce sizes deep. Chrome / blue back or Chrome / black back or Red rattletraps usually get the job done…try both.
Bottom lures, like worms of all sizes, shapes and colors work during the Fall. Experiment. Don’t be afraid to fish worms in the 10-2 inch size, for big bass of Guntersville Lake feed on end of the year snakes, freshwater eels and worms that have grown to these lengths by the Fall season.
Plastic crayfish fished on a jig head, Texas rigged or weightless are great in shallow water. The jig combo that simulates crayfish take some of the years biggest bass during the fall period on Guntersville Lake. Some anglers flip and pitch crayfish or jigs around piers, boat houses and thick weeds. Others swim a jig along any available wood cover, around rocks and in and around weed cover. Adding oversized pork or plastic trailers to jigs allows them to fall slower and it presents a bigger lure profile. Tube baits of all sizes simulate crayfish, experiment with 4-8 inch sizes in various colors according to water clarity.
Plastic lizards are great lures when fished over thick, weedy mats, fished weightless. Or when fished Texas rigged and Carolina rigged fished slowly along shallow to deep water drop-offs, main creek points and around bridges, islands, around causeways and culverts lined with rip-rap rocks.
So as you see, there is a lot more to fishing Guntersville Lake this Fall season as each month progresses. Just think, Winter is ahead when the really big bass come out of hiding!
Always dress warm and be prepared for any emergency when fishing during cold weather…the life you save may be your own. Wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch.
Always Call on Reeds Guide Service…first! For lake conditions and lake updates or to book a trip to Guntersville Lake (or any Alabama Lake) this Fall and Winter season. Over 30 years guiding on all of Alabama’s Lakes. Several professional guides and boats available year round for multiple parties and Corporate guided trips. Instructional trips available and equipment can be provided.
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:
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:
Fall Fishing on Lake Neely Henry
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Like upriver impoundment Weiss Lake, Neely Henry Lake, the second of six lakes located on the Coosa River System, suffered from the results of an extreme drought this past summer. Unseasonably low lake levels of two feet below normal, full pool existed during the 100 plus degree days of mid August. Although not as drastically down like Weiss Lake (down 5 feet in August) this still created a hazard for boaters. Normally lowered during the fall season for winter pool, Neely Henry Lake could be dropped even lower than two feet for the next six months until next spring.
Low water is not good for the lakes aquatic weeds, that usually thrive and grow thick and green during the summer months on these Coosa River Lakes. Also without the weeds, bass and the baitfish they dine on have to find other places to resident during the summer months. With very little weeds growing during these low water times, the beginning of the fall period can show both the bass and the baitfish, crayfish and other edibles hanging around wood cover, rock cover and irregular bottom features. They can really get bunched up in preferred locations.
Although Neely Henry Lake is a big lake (at over 50 miles in length), low water can still congregate both predator and prey overcrowding them around shallow water cover. This situation can increase the feeding activity of both the lakes spotted bass and largemouth bass population as waters drop and begin to cool in late September.
Neely Henry Lake Headwaters
Low water can show the lakes headwaters really concentrate these fall season bass. The lakes headwaters being considered about 25 miles of narrow river type waters situated from Gadsden City launch located right next to Hwy. 431 bridge crossing, to Weiss Lake dam tailrace waters. There are very few backwaters in the upper reaches of Neely Henry Lake, places deeper than 5 feet (especially so with the lake down a few feet) for these fish to escape the often swift current found here.
The relocation of both bass and prey such as minnows, shad, bream and crayfish, can funnel them all down to these creek mouths. This includes the mouths of small incoming streams, small cuts, pockets found along the main river and especially main river banks featuring slack water and lots of wood cover.
Also there are flats and plenty of rock bluffs for these fall bass to feed along as these seasonal waters begin to cool and winter approaches. Points leading into these river type rock bluff pockets are excellent places to fish this early fall season on into early winter using topwaters, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, worms and jig combos.
During the fall and early winter months the lake can have a sudden influx of water from heavy rains, which can stain the lakes headwaters and cause the lake level to suddenly rise. This is when anglers fishing the lakes headwaters can quickly capitalize on a shallow water bite before waters clear and drop back down.
Fishing very shallow in major feeder creeks in these lakes headwaters (as waters suddenly rise from several inches of rain), can show some really big bass coming out of the muddy river and suddenly invade the newly flooded shallows, to feed right before waters begin to drop back down and suddenly cool with the next cold front. Henley Creek and Cove Creek are the last major feeder creeks showing depths of five feet in these lake headwaters, even when the lake is down two feet. Flats in these and other creek backwaters can show lures like spinnerbaits and noisy topwaters like buzzbaits good lure choices in lightly stained waters during fall for big bass.
Neely Henry Lake Mid Lake
Leaving Gadsden City launch and heading down the lake you will notice the lake begins to widen to a more lake like appearance. Although wide open main lake flats with stumps and scattered wood debris are clearly evident, the lake is lacking in backwaters and major feeder creeks until you reach the lower lake where Canoe creek is located.
The only major creek in this mid lake area is Big Wills Creek, located on your right heading down stream about 2 miles below Gadsden City launch. It has a lot of man made rip-rap rocks found around bridges that are good fishing with shad imitations and crayfish lures. Crankbaits, rattling lipless lures and spinnerbaits are good lures fished at all depths along the rocks. Also try small finesse worms on jig heads to big worms rigged Texas style, including lizards, tube baits, crayfish imitations, creature baits and jig combos, all fished very slowly from shallow to deep water along these rocks.
Main lake flats loaded with stumps, laying trees and logs are great fall locations for numbers of spotted bass and largemouth’s. There are miles of these flats from Gadsden City launch located all the way to the mouth of Canoe creek down the lake.
Fan casting lures like shallow to mid running crankbaits, both floating and suspending hard bodied jerkbaits and rattling lipless lures like rattletraps, Cordell ratting spots and Rapala’s Rattlin’ Raps covers these flats fast and gets the anxious bass bites. After catching a few bass on these flats you should rework them with topwaters, bottom lures, spinnerbaits, floating worms and soft jerkbaits. Baitfish really gather here during the fall season and bass can often be seen schooling and busting shad on top. Always have a topwater lure rigged and ready for this fast schooling action.
Another tactic many anglers pass right by are fishing bridge pilings during the fall. Not only the three bridges located right next to the city of Gadsden that borders the lake, but Hwy. 77 bridge that crosses the lake a few miles above the mouth of Canoe Creek. Jigging spoons or fishing with small worms, jig heads with spinners or even topwaters are good lures fished right along the bridge pilings. Backing off and making long casts with lures such as deep diving crankbaits is one tactic that works really well, especially when fished along the much shallower bridge pilings near the main river banks. Keep in mind, washed in wood cover is found all along these bridge pilings. Also there is man made rip-rap rocks dumped all around each pilling at its base to prevent erosion, rocks that bass like too.
Neely Henry Lake Lower Lake
Neely Henry Lake takes on a more lake like appearance as you leave the Hwy. 77 bridge crossing and head down the lake. The mouth of the lakes biggest feeder creek Canoe creek, once displayed miles of standing timber found everywhere on the lower lake. Now those trees have been cut off far below the water line, but stumps still remain, good places for some very unmolested bass this fall season.
High spots, main lake points, some small islands and old underwater lakes and roadbeds also exist here. Plenty of piers and boat houses featuring resident planted brushplies can be easily found in this lower lake region. These piers have resident planted brush all around them and plenty of bass relating to them as well in the fall and early winter seasons. Some map study and depth finder use will reveal the hidden spots.
Other places bass inhibit during fall (that are more visible) include brushpiles. They are very visible with low water now exposing limbs and small sticks protruding out of the water. With low water this fall, watch out for shallow places, some are marked areas with PVC pipes and they are very evident.
Covering water fast and finding the more active bass always involves the use of lures that simulate shad or bream. In shallow water of less than five feet featuring clear water clarity, try smaller profile lures like shallow to mid running crankbaits, small rattletraps and small two hooked jerkbaits. Also you may try smaller topwaters and smaller spinnerbaits. These lures may be needed for finicky bass on these lower lakes fishing in and around wood and rock cover. But often smaller lures do fool the bigger more picky bass as well.
If these main lake flats, the mouths of creeks and even creek backwaters are stained from heavy rain or current is very evident, you may need to help the bass locate your lures more easily. Lures like spinnerbaits emit more flash and create more water displacement with the vibrations from the lures blades and the action and appeal from adding trailers. Spinnerbaits are excellent lures in stained to off colored water conditions during the fall. Brighter colors may be needed.
Half ounce to three quarter of an ounce rattletraps and Cordell rattling spots put out a lot of noise, flash and vibration. These lures also look like end of the season shad these bass feed on, baitfish that have grown bigger by the fall season.
Zara spooks, Zara Super Spooks, baby torpedoes, crazy shads, and Luck Craft’s Sammie topwater lures are all good for attracting those big bass bites and they look like these baitfish. Topwaters can produce some of Neely Henry’s biggest fall season bass. Heavy line is suggested for fall action on top. Noisy clacker type buzzbaits are known for big bass on Neely Henry Lake. Always include a trailer hook for short striking bass and fish buzzbaits on 17-20 pound test line.
Planning a trip to Neely Henry Lake? Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first! (205) 787-5133. The lake’s oldest professional guide service, fishing this lake and other Alabama Lakes for over 40 years. See my website: www.fishingalabama. com for more info.
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:
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:
Fall Fishing on Lay Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Yes, Lay Lake has again been selected as the site of the Bassmasters Classic. In February, 2007 the worlds best bass anglers will launch out of Paradise Point Marina (205) 669-1515 as they again (this is the third Classic on Lay Lake) compete for this prestigious world title and attempt to figure out Lay Lake’s weed dwelling largemouth bass and a very worthy adversary … the Coosa River Spotted bass.
Lay Lake is a challenge no matter what time of the year you fish it. When you do, if your fishing a bass tournament on Lay Lake, you can count on fishing up against Alabama’s best bass anglers. But even the best anglers struggled this past Summer season when the mercury reached 100 degrees several times. Throughout the entire month of August mid to upper ninety degree days were common. The water temperatures in Lay Lakes shallow backwaters were constantly bathed in an all day sunshine with little rain to help cool things down. Water temps were close to ninety degrees by late Summer. Ah, but in comes the cool down period of Fall. Month by month, you will see fishing only gets better as Fall progresses and bass go on a feeding spree lakewide.
September
Looking back, before you look ahead, will tell you what the bass want on your next fishing trip to Lay Lake in September. The weather plays a huge role in September as it influences bass to move from their Summertime haunts to the feeding grounds of Fall. So check back a few days prior to your trip and see what role the weather has played in early September. Rainy fronts turn them on and cold fronts turn them off. Muddy water following a few days of heavy rain should be avoided. The lakes headwaters and small incoming feeder creeks are affected the most by heavy rains. Some creeks will clear up fast, while others will stay muddy for a few days.
Search out the lakes mid to lower end if your trip follows several days of rain. Other than Waxahatchee Creek (that always muddies following heavy rains), most feeders on the lakes lower end will be lightly stained. Spring Creek and Paint Creek on the lakes lower end offer loads of weedy cover, piers, boathouses, rip-rap rocks, wood cover and bottom irregularities such as humps, submerged islands and old roadbeds for anglers to explore. Heavy rains can occur at any time, but they are more frequent during October and November.
Basically the largemouth bass will be around weeds. On Lay Lake that gives an angler more than 50 miles of greenery to decipher where the bass will be. Likely locations will be close to the schools of baitfish that the bass have followed all Summer and they will always be nearby when baitfish are evident. This can mean fishing the weed edges with lures such as buzzbaits, prop baits, pop-r’s, zara spooks, sammies and other walking, jerking, popping type topwaters. Topwaters fished right up in the weeds are different from these aforementioned weed grabbing treble hook lures.
Frogs and rats are weedless lures and they now come in all shapes, sizes and colors due their recent popularity with bass anglers nationwide. Buzzbaits can be fished right up in the weeds, but you must keep these irritating lures moving to avoid them rolling over and hanging up. Fish heavy 17-20 pound test line or heavy braided line with these lures to get those big bass out of the weeds fast. As waters cool there is more action ahead for both spotted bass and largemouth bass on Lay Lake.
October
Although there are some big bass caught on Alabama’s Lay Lake year round, Fall is my favorite time to fish this lake for some big largemouth bass and trophy sized spotted bass. The cooler it gets the more foolish these big bass get. Without their temperamental attitude (like when spawning) these bass have one thing on their mind before it gets cold. Eating. Fattening up and grabbing every little morsel in sight, these bass will hit a variety of lures this Fall period. Although cool nights and days drop the water temps bass will continue to feed on hapless meals just like the past Summer.
Frogs and small mice hopping and running along Lay Lakes weedy mats have contributed to the days meal for the last 4 months. So the bass down below are used to seeing them and used to eating them. Lures that simulate these frogs and rats are deadly in the weeds in the Fall.
By October the largemouth bass of Lay Lake have dined on a variety of meals. So keep this in mind when deciding on what lures it takes to fool them. Snakes, small worms, lizards, freshwater eels, slugs and leeches have been consumed all summer long. So fishing a variety of lures in various shapes, sizes, colors and lengths, should be experimented with until you get a big bass bite or two. These slithering meals have grown to sizable proportions by the end of Summer so fishing with worms, creature type plastics or lizards, all in lengths of 8-12 inches, may really bring out the big bass from hiding.
When probing weedy holes, edges, lanes and points found within these thick and matted weeds of Lay Lake, you have got to get the lure down in the weeds. Heavy weights or sinkers (1/2 ounce up to 2 ounce size) are a must, including strong hooks, stought equipment such as rods and reels and strong line are all needed for fishing Lay Lakes weeds. Anglers get broke off trying anything less than 20 pound test in the weeds. Finesse fishing may be good along weed edges, but always use the heavy equipment for fishing dead up in the weds, to avoid frustration and lost bass. Jig combos and crayfish imitations are big bass lures in and around these thick and matted weeds.
Besides the weeds there are other places to find bass on Lay Lake. When you get away from the weeds, fishing wood cover, points, rocks and bottom irregularities always mean you will encounter some of Lay Lake’s notorious Coosa River spotted bass. These spotted bass known as “spots” are a bass full of fighting fury and they will give any angler a run for his money. This is evident by observing the ones that don’t get away. Many trophy sized spotted bass you are fortunate enough to land on Lay Lake either have one eye missing or a ripped or torn mouth that has healed from the last anglers lure it ripped free.
In October fishing the lakes headwaters, just below Logan Martin Lake dam is a good place to encounter feeding spots. Some are small in the 1-2 pound range, but trophy spotted bass exceeding 5 pounds do exist here. Some anglers use small finesse worms on jig heads, or grubs and shad imitations on light tackle outfits. Other anglers target the bigger spotted bass that will often hit oversized topwaters like the Zara Super Spook topwater lure, Norman’s DD-22 deep diving crankbaits, oversized jerkbaits or spinnerbaits with gaudy oversized trailers. Spotted bass (to many anglers surprise) will be found in feeder creeks on Lay Lake in the Fall as well as main lake spots. They also prefer to hang around creek mouths, the mouths of small cuts and pockets, the upper and lower ends of islands and around rip-rap rocks found along bridges, causeways and creek culverts. Even piers hold decent sized spotted bass on Lay Lake. They especially like the deep, rocky bluff type banks and deep main river timbered points during the Fall period.
November
Like said, Fall is my favorite time of year to fish for largemouth bass and trophy sized spotted bass on Alabama’s Lay Lake. But as late Fall becomes evident, it gets even better and for many reasons. Go to my website: www.fishingalabama.com and click on the “Articles” link seen at the top of the cover page. It will take you to several articles I’ve wrote. One is called, ” 5 bass - 30 pounds on Lay Lake.” This very exceptional day all anglers dream of, took place one mid November day while fishing all alone in the rain. You should find it interesting.
There are many reasons why the really big bass of Lay Lake bite so well in November and early December, before it gets really cold. One is the lake is void of fishing pressure, of which exists almost year round on this Lake, which is now over 90 years since impoundment in 1914. Bass tournaments are held weekly on Lay Lake. But by November most tournament trails are at an end. Most anglers do not fish the colder it gets, so November shows the beginning of less anglers on the water. Football season, kids back in school, and deer hunting keeps other would be anglers off the water as well. Holidays and bad weather keep the rest away. So on many weekdays you can have the places you normally fish with lots of company…all to yourself!
Sneaking in these places without the bass detecting your presence, can now be accomplished and your fishing is not interrupted by other anglers idling their boats close by and spooking these bass. All it takes is a little stealth and you can get into the years biggest bag of bass on Lay Lake in November and early December.
So fish Lay Lake this Fall season, but be prepared for a lonely trip when the Fall period comes to an end and
Winter begins. The Lake can be void of anglers, all except for those that know, during Winter. Winter warming trends do occur and some really big bass get shallow as they are duped into thinking its time for an early spawn. Just like what might happen when the worlds best bass anglers converge on Lay Lake for the February 2007 Bassmasters Classic.
The next report for Lay Lake’s Winter fishing will feature tips and techniques for fishing Lay Lake when it gets cold, tips that may aid you or these anglers competing in this world renowned Bassmasters Classic Championship.
Need help fishing Alabama’s Lay Lake? Reed Montgomery, owner of Reeds Guide Service is Lay Lake’s most well known and oldest professional bass guide service. Reed has won more tournaments (See Reed’s biography by clicking on the “About” link on the top of the cover page on www.fishingalabama.com) and taken more big bass awards on Lay Lake, than any other Lake he fishes statewide. Give him a call or e-mail Reed at his 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 (2006)
Resources:
Fall Fishing on Logan Martin Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Oh, if only the 2006 FLW Outdoors Championship had been held during the Fall season on Logan Martin Lake. The 48 qualifying contenders may have walked away praising the lake (as it being touted as such a good lake for bass fishing), rather than a tough lake for bass fishing like most of these anglers experienced this past Summer season. Here’s a month by month report on what to expect this Fall season, when fishing for spotted bass and largemouth bass on Logan Martin Lake.
September
Sure its still hot and fishing is rather slow for some anglers around the first week or two of September, but things can cool down quickly with Falls inevitable incoming cold fronts. Like every fishing trip its all according to the weather. In addition to the cold fronts are heavy Fall rains that can actually bring the lake back up temporarily and muddy up or heavily stain the lakes waters. Places like incoming major feeder creeks and the lakes headwaters, below upper Neely Henry Lake dam, can become stained to muddy following several days of rain. But this is more likely in October.
Fishing Logan Martin Lake this Fall season involves targeting two different bass species. Largemouth bass and spotted bass can both be found throughout the entire lake. Each species has its own specific locations they prefer. But often both bass species can be found mingling together in some of the most unlikely places. Learning to fish for both bass species, especially when they are confronted hanging around the same places together, calls for the use of a variety of lures and techniques.
September is still considered late summer in Alabama. Anglers that have fished this lake frequently during the late summer period always have success fishing the mid to lower lake region. This is the clearest water available on a consistent basis. Mostly fishing for spotted bass that feed and group near deep water drop-offs, ledges and bottom irregularities. Finesse fishing (like what it took to win the last two FLW Outdoors Championship events held here in summer) with small worms and plastics fished on jig heads and light tackle outfits seem to be the ticket to consistently getting bites.
You may catch lots of small bass in the 10-12 inch lengths when finesse fishing, but there is always some bigger bass nearby just waiting for their chance to beat these smaller bass to your lures. So thoroughly fishing out any deep water spot will show bigger bass, that is, after you seine through the smaller bass bites. You either stick a bunch of smaller bass (that won’t bite again for a while) and hope the bigger bass are still interested in your lures. Anglers have learned there is better way. If they are legal bass (12 inches or bigger), you might throw every legal bass you catch in the livewell and cull them out when you leave that spot. I thoroughly believe this is the best tactic. After all, a cut or bleeding bass (that always goes back to the school), can show other bass that its time for a move or they can completely quit biting.
Some bass can be found in shallow water early, late in the day and at night. But fishing during the late morning to early evening period is still the time of day when most anglers struggle to even get a bite. Fishing shallow on the lakes lower end calls for either targeting piers, boat houses or areas around tournament release sites like Marinas. Until the Fall rains cause the lower lake to stain this will be your best bet throughout the day.
October
The heavy rains continue and become more frequently in October, so time your trip to Logan Martin Lake accordingly. If fishing a bass tournament you cannot be so choosy, you just have to check out the previous weeks conditions and adjust. Cold fronts become more frequent and knowing if a severe front hit prior to your trip can be a tremendous factor. Most fronts in October are followed by cool mornings and bright bluebird days. If this is the conditions when you arrive (after the morning bite) expect a slow day of fishing. Moving around a lot and hitting a lot of likely looking spots can be the ticket to finding few bass in each spot. Or you can find several good piers and boathouses and good drop-offs nearby and jump back and forth from shallow piers to deep drop-offs and ledges.
November
By November there are a lot of variables to consider prior to your trip to Logan Martin Lake. Lake Levels will be down for winter pool. This lake has been as low as 6 feet down in years past. So extreme caution is advised (whether or not you are experienced) in navigating this lake. Many boats and motors have been damaged during the late Fall to Spring period in years past due to low water.
Cold fronts will not be as much of a factor as they become average and by November most anglers have adjusted. Clothing is increased. Never go out on a late Fall outing without a jumpsuit, toboggan or face mask, gloves and a heavy coat. You can always take them off if it warms up. Hats, goggles and sunglasses and plenty of hot coffee or warm drinks help too.
Colder weather plays a role in your lure selection as well. Deep diving crankbaits continue to fool bass along drop-offs. Shallow to deep diving crankbaits target bass that are suspended beneath shad schools in open water and along shallow drops. Lipless lures like Rattletraps and Cordell spots not only cover water fast but they look a lot like baitfish and they can be fished from shallow to deep water. Use heavy line in shallow water to make these lures run shallow and lighter line in deeper water to make them run deeper.
If you like fishing wood cover, rocks and more of a river type surrounding, then fishing the lakes upper reaches (above mid Lake Interstate 20 crossing) is the place to be in late Fall. Not only is there more cover than it is downriver, upriver is more likely to have stained water and show a lot less traffic than mid to lower lake regions. There are always some good largemouth bass to catch around this upper lake region. Jig combos, spinnerbaits and topwaters are great lure choices for these bass
Need help on Logan Martin Lake? Want to know the current conditions, patterns and lure selections for this lake? Or any Alabama Lake? Always feel free to call on Reeds Guide service … first! (205) 787-5133. Website: www.fishingalabama.com / E-mail ALABASSGYD@aol.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 (2006)
Resources:
Fall Fishing on Lake Mitchell
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
If I had to choose an impoundment on the Coosa River Chain of Lakes (Mitchell Lake is the fifth lake of six lakes on the Coosa River System), that is void of many anglers as Fall progresses, Mitchell Lake would have to be my choice. The colder it gets, the less the fishing pressure exists on this small, 14 mile long impoundment situated in mid Alabama. It is a small lake when compared to other Alabama Lakes, but with 147 miles of shoreline, anglers have a variety of fishing situations and loads of aquatic weeds, rocky habitat and all kinds of wood cover to explore this Fall season. So here’s some bass fishing info, lure suggestions and a month by month look at Mitchell Lake’s upcoming conditions for the three months of Fall…before it really gets cold.
September
Around the first week of September, anglers start counting down the days of Fall. Although its still warm with temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s, it sure feels a lot better than the 100 degree days we experienced in August. This slight, cooling trend during the early Fall period, also cools the water temperatures of Mitchell Lake. To the Coosa River breed of spotted bass and the largemouth bass that inhibit this entire 5,850 acre reservoir, this means its time to eat. Although most bass eat daily or at least every couple of days, cooling water means its time to double their intake.
While it was very hot this Summer, most bass had the need to conserve energy, especially when it came to chasing down the days next meal. Spotted bass were actually the least affected by the heat. “Spots” as they are called, are going to be quite comfortable no matter what the conditions. Wherever they find a place to feed and live out their lives, they are going to be comfortable in their surroundings. Below Lay Lake dam (in Mitchell’s upper lake headwaters), cool water and constant current from water generation at the dam, keep them comfortable all summer long. Feeder creeks, main lake drop-offs, rock bluff banks, creek and river channel ledges, around islands, submerged humps and ridges and other deep water habitat found throughout Mitchell Lake, are the spotted bass late summertime hangouts. So it makes sense to start your Fall excursion, fishing these places that hundreds of spotted bass have increasingly bunched up in for the past 3 months.
Largemouth bass on Mitchell Lake were the ones that had to adjust this summer. They are known to dwell in and around shallow cover like the many types of aquatic weeds found lake wide on Mitchell Lake. Some shallow backwaters got close to 90 degree water temps and many largemouth bass had to relocate to more comfortable surroundings. So like the spotted bass, the largemouth bass either went towards deep water for comfort, or they headed for the cooler water found in the mid to far back ends of major feeder creeks. Some decent sized largemouth bass were even caught around Lay Lake dam discharge area this past summer season. So during the month of September look for both of these breeds of bass right where you found them this past summer season.
Many of these bass are just following baitfish schools around the lake, picking off the easy meals or just feeding when the urge hits them. So lures like shallow to deep diving crankbaits, rattling lipless lures like Rattletraps or Cordell Rattling spots, both suspending and floating jerkbaits and even jigging spoons for bass close to bottom, are all excellent lure choices during this early Fall season. These bass also feed on crayfish so crayfish look a like lures such as tube baits, plastic crayfish or jig combos should be tried as well. There are so many choices when it comes to bottom fished lures, suggestions are limited. But keep in mind these are bass now accustomed to feeding on prey that show an end of the year growth. So bigger means better at times.
Snakes, worms, freshwater eels, leeches, lizards, waterdogs, minnows, baitfish, frogs and small rodents are much bigger than during early Summer. So choosing lures that simulate a variety of overgrown prey can show a certain preference on various types of cover, throughout Mitchell Lake in September. In addition to selecting all sizes of worms, lizards and crayfish imitations, consider creature type lures, grubs, twin tail plastics, tube baits, plastic shad imitations and small finesse plastics. These are just a few lure types anglers should experiment with when fishing in or near deep water or on the lakes bottom during the entire month of September.
October
As waters cool on Mitchell Lake the bass continue to feed and fatten up for the upcoming winter. Cooler water temperatures show spotted bass feeding shallower every day. Largemouth bass either return to places you could not even get a bite in this past summer (like some weeds) or they continue to follow the baitfish schools around the lake, feeding right alongside spotted bass and striped bass, that all stay on the move in October. Aquatic weeds held some largemouth bass all summer long, but the weeds were scarce of any really good concentration of some decent sized bass. This all changes as waters cool and October shows baitfish return to the security of these aquatic weeds.
Finding the greenest weeds and the most baitfish infested waters on Mitchell Lake, is now an anglers number one priority for largemouth bass in October. Not only does this increase your chances for hooking into a number of trophy sized bass all found in one location, but this tactic will show numbers of keeper sized bass as well. Weedless lures are a must, when fishing right up in the weeds. This avoids a lot of frustration when trying to retrieve hung lures. It also means not getting the boat in to close to where you are fishing, spooking the bass as well. Besides, lost lures cost money and losing a few expensive lures in a days time…can be costly.
There are a number of lures that are very weedless. Frog and mice (rats) imitations will continue to show anglers that “big bass bite” as October gets underway. Always fish these lures on stought rods with good reels and make long casts far back in the scummiest weeds the lake has to offer. Places that many anglers avoid. Buzzbaits are weedless as well, even when sporting a trailer hook needed for those short striking bass. Weedless spoons are lures of the past that many anglers fail to even fish anymore, but choosing a weedless spoon can show the bass a lure in the weeds they rarely ever see. Adding grubs, small worms or lizards, pork or plastic chunks and other plastics to these weedless spoons for that extra enticement, may get bites from skittish bass that avoid other conventional lures.
Rigging several rods with each of these lures can show the bass a variety of tempting offerings for them to choose from. There are days when a certain lure, lure action or certain lure color will increase your odds of getting a bite. Other tempting meals for Fall? To many to list for now, but some suggestions are found ahead when November shows bass cruising throughout the entire water column. So bring along plenty of lure choices when fishing Mitchell Lake this Fall season in October.
November
This is the month you can get really lonely fishing Mitchell Lake. Although there are still some bass tournaments and those die hard anglers still out on the lake, most would be anglers have either hung up their rods in exchange for guns during hunting season or they are home watching football with the boat now covered up until next spring. So bring along a friend or be prepared to see very little company when November arrives.
Its too bad, for many anglers really never experience the best part of the Fall fishing season. When cooler nights come in and cooler days only call for a light jacket, it can show some of the years best bass fishing on Mitchell Lake. Cooler water does not limit your lure choice either. Most lures these spotted bass and largemouth bass hit in early Fall will work in November as well. Before water temps reach the 50 degree mark even topwater lures will continue to entice those big bass that are always looking up for an easy meal.
Fishing feeder creeks with lures like spinnerbaits can be a one lure only day. There are times in November when stained water conditions and current (from heavy Fall rains) can show lures like spinnerbaits (that show a lot of flash and vibration in stained water conditions) can be an excellent big bass lure choice! If confronted with lightly stained water conditions usually in the mid to upper 50’s, always choose smaller spinnerbaits, ones that display smaller blades, often fished right out of the package without even adding a plastic trailer. If Fall rains swell the lake and show heavily stained to muddy water conditions, going to bigger more gaudy type spinnerbaits may be needed to aid the bass in finding your offerings.
Selecting spinnerbaits in the half ounce to one ounce category sporting bigger blades (either willow leaf or Colorado type blades), and adding trailers such as grubs or twin tail plastics, will show more lure action, more flash and vibration and brighter colors for them to see when conditions are too poor for other lures. Stained water conditions are also the times when astute anglers that either pitch, flip or swim a jig combo around wood and weedy cover, really excel on Mitchell Lake. Of course long 6-7 foot flipping rods, strong monofilament line in the 20 pound test category or braided line and very sharp hooks, are all necessary for success.
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:
