Spring Fishing on Guntersville Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Just that title is refreshing. Especially since late last winter anglers fishing Guntersville Lake were struggling with nighttime lows in the 20’s and mid day highs not even reaching 50 degrees. Spring on Alabama’s largest Impoundment Guntersville Lake, is as good as it gets for fishing for largemouth bass in shallow, weedy waters.
MARCH
March will show some changes as the bass begin their annual movement along travel routes heading towards the shallows, to begin their prespawn activities. Anglers that frequent Guntersville Lake know that after years of angling experience fishing this massive lake, that the really Big prespawn bass can suddenly appear shallow in early spring and they can really bunch up in some very predictable places.
At times in March there are many Big Bass in certain prespawn holding spots. They can all be holding in one, very small preferred spot. Places that can be duplicated and found by astute anglers fishing in similar places. By looking lake wide anglers can find fish, often in spots only as big as their boat.
Or these bass can be on the move. If weather conditions call for them cruising the Lakes ledges, drop-offs, roadbeds, main lake points and creek points, visible islands and submerged islands and man made rocks found along rip-rap lined banks.
There are also some spots that are seen and some unseen. Piers and boathouses are seen by all anglers and fished by most. They do hold catchable bass. Hidden, underwater places like submerged ridges, stump rows, rock piles, submerged humps, old creek channels, ditches and other irregular bottom features found along travel routes are fished less.
Lures can be many choices, especially when fishing with lures on bottom. Just remember to fish slow and thoroughly cover all water with bottom bumping lures like worms, lizards, crayfish imitations, jig combos and creature type lures. Even finesse fishing with light tackle outfits and small worms on jig heads can be deadly on Guntersville’s often picky, prespawn bass.
APRIL
As these big, female bass (and the smaller male bass) group up, they begin pairing off and then heading towards the shallow spawning grounds, preparing beds in water depths less than 3 feet deep.
These bedding bass and cruising bass can be seen much better (with good water clarity) by anglers wearing polarized sunglasses (See: www.flyingfisherman.com) and by cruising the shallows with a slow moving trolling motor. Standing up and scanning water less 5 feet deep as far as you can see, is best for spotting bass and their beds.
Bedding bass are spooky and they can detect your boat and your presence extremely well. Stealth is important in sneaking up on these very skittish shallow water bass, some bass that have not been in the shallows in weeks.
Cutting off your outboard motor far from where you intend to fish. Drifting in quietly with the wind or using your trolling motor set on low speed. Long casts without allowing your lure to land on your target, l is very important. Always throw your lures far past where you think a bass is laying in wait.
Being very quite and not even making any sudden boat movement are very important towards helping you reach your angling goal…which is catching fish.
With the full moon in late March bass can move up to prepare their beds in early April. They be seen cruising in pairs making beds and actually spawning in upper 60 degree water temps. Its all according to the weather. Cold fronts can stall the spawning activities a few weeks until conditions stabilize and water temps begin to rise close to 70 degrees.
Lures can involve into many choices, lure colors and lure actions and size. Experiment. You may just discover that one lure that works better than any other lure in your tackle box. Bedding bass can be very picky. Often downsizing your lure choice is necessary just to even get them to bite.
MAY
If you fish Guntersville Lake in May its easy to understand why this month is dubbed, “topwater month.” By the first week of May Guntersville Lake’s recuperating female bass are on the prowl for an easy to catch meal. These are post spawn times and many big bass are fooled into striking shallow running lures and various topwaters.
Laying in water depths less than 5 feet deep most bass are scanning the waters surface for now there are many meals available, some enticingly running across the waters surface…just like your lures! Not only do the bigger female bass get real careless and attack lures they normally would not hit, but also the smaller, bed protecting male bass will attack your offerings as well.
There are many soon to be meals these bass now dine on. Fishing with lures that simulate these meals or lures that look and act like these meals is the best way to get bit. There are also many lure choices when it comes to topwaters - some good and some are not all that productive.
Some lures that always fool a few bass in mid to late spring on top are;
* Buzzbaits - I don’t know what these lures are supposed to mimic, perhaps a small duck running across the water’s surface or a fleeing shad or a skittering frog. What ever buzzbaits look like, Guntersville Lake bass love em’. Always fish strong Trilene Big Game line and sharpen all buzzbait hooks and add a trailer hook for
short striking bass. White or Chartreuse and White are good colors, but try an all black buzzbait for giving pressured bass a different looking buzzbait.
* Frogs and Rats - These lures obviously mimic frogs hopping across the waters surface and small mice that run along the waters edge or across the tops of Guntersville Lakes thick and matted weeds. Fishing with strong monofilament line in the 17-25 pound test category is very important. You sometimes have to horse these big bass out of the thick aquatic weeds such as millfoil and hydrilla. Some anglers prefer braided line and using 6 - 7 foot rods, such as flipping rods. Colors can be many with today’s array of frogs and rats. Some anglers use white, chartreuse, brown, black, dark green or often off the wall colors like purple, red, yellow or pink.
* Popping type topwaters and prop-baits - These lures fall in the same category and both are worked similar in the retrieve. For popping type topwaters the old namesake Pop-r is always good. There are many similar versions. For prop baits you just cannot beat the old reliable single prop, Baby Torpedo or The Tiny Torpedoe. The double prop topwater “the crazy shad” is also a good topwater lure. Try shad colors or mix it up. Fire tiger colors, chrome, white, etc., are also good.
* Floating worms, soft jerkbaits, swimming jig combos, Floating lizards, weightless crayfish imitations - All of these lures are weedless and they fall in the same topwater category. They can be maneuvered just under the surface of the water or reeled across the tops of the weeds.
* Floating worms or air injected worms such as Zoom’s Trick worm have fooled thousands of Guntersville Lake bass. They seem to work when other lures fail to get a strike. Bright colors may be the reason, because bass seldom see such attactive colors. Pink, white, yellow, limetreuce and other easily seen colors (like red methiolate) will work and they can easily be seen when fishing with polarized sunglasses.
* Soft jerkbaits in white pearl or shad colors are best fished with long casts and slow, erratic stop and go retrieves.
* Jig combos should include a light jig and an oversized trailer like a twin tail grub, pork chunk, plastic chunk trailer or crayfish imitation trailer. These jig combos can be slowly swam in the weeds. They can be fished on heavy line to allow them a slow fall and can be made to ride high in the weeds. On retrieve they can be manipulated to go over, under and among the weeds.
* Floating Lizards, etc., Rigged on a 4/0 to 5/0 hook and rigged weightless, are deadly on Guntersville Lake bass in spring. Fish with a slow retrieve and be ready for a fast striking bass.
* Other plastics - The same goes for crayfish imitations, grubs, creature baits and big oversized worms, all fished weightless on hooks in the 2/0 to 5/0 size. Weedless spoons as well.
Fish Guntersville Lake this Spring for some of the year’s, best bass fishing for numbers of bass and some really big bass as well. Or call on Reeds Guide Service for booking a trip to Guntersville Lake (or any Alabama Lake) year round.
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:
Winter Fishing on Lake Neely Henry
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Neely Henry / Lower Lake
When winter arrives Neely Henry Lake goes through some major changes. December shows water
temperatures cooling into the low 50’s. The lake is also down for winter pool. By January the lake has
stabilized and unlike years past, it is only down from 1-2 feet. If lower than 1 foot, this all but eliminates any aquatic weed growth.
By mid winter most bass are relating to piers, boathouses and other wood cover, rock cover and slight bottom irregularities. Cold fronts can cool down the water into the low to mid 40’s. Warm spells that can last for a week or more, can really bring up the water temps often close to 60 degrees or more.
There is another thing to consider in winter, especially January and February. Heavy winter rains. These 2-3 days of rain can swell the lakes headwaters and muddy them up real bad for a few days. This goes for major incoming feeder creeks on Neely Henry Lake.
So plan your trip accordingly and be prepared with several back up plans, that include fishing the lakes lower end, especially when practicing for a major bass tournament. Don’t rely on just one or two spots, or rely on just a few ways of catching these bass on Neely Henry Lake. Be versatile.
Make plans to fish the mid to lower lake if rain precedes your fishing trip. This lower lake region stays clearer, has bigger feeder creeks (than upper Neely Henry Lake creeks), creeks that clear up fast after rain, and the lower lake is more dependable, than targeting the lakes headwaters during winter.
Besides the rain, you are going to be looking at a river situation (20 miles) if you fish the lakes headwaters above Gadsden City launch. Going south of Gadsden City boat launch displays a more wide open, spread out lake situation. If you fish below the Gadsden City launch you have about 30 miles of water to explore.
Neely Henry Lakes headwaters
Fishing the lakes headwaters calls for tactics that shows lots of main river targets. The narrow, river type waters, fish just like any river would. This means fishing the mouths of small creeks and pockets. Some creeks still have good water depth as you enter the mouths but most creeks in these lake headwaters play out to shallow flats, now mostly dry due to lake drawdown. Besides these creek mouths there are some places many anglers overlook when fishing the upper reaches of Neely Henry Lake.
Broken off banks fall into the water all the time due to bank erosion and constant current in these lake headwaters. These can be spots with standing timber, timber that keeps on standing, as the entire bank just slides off into whatever bank was underwater there before.
What takes place (unknown to many anglers) is a very small, timber filled island, is now very close to the bank, mostly hidden beneath the waters surface. The original bank could have dropped down right into a main river channel, or on top of a ledge, or it could have slid down deep now covering up a previously, plain looking bank.
Not only is there standing timber now in the water, from 5-15 feet deep, but plenty of washed in debris, such as brush piles, trees, logs and original stumps. All of which block the main river current and cover that can hold schools of unmolested bass in the winter. Anglers can fish the upper portion of these washed in banks, along the sides, or fish the lower ends, where most winter bass hold out of the current.
There are other places real similar, but featuring rocks instead of wood cover. Rock bluffs adorn the lakes headwaters. Outside river bend banks that are exposed to the elements, can break off and tumble down into the water. Anglers should look for slight irregularities on these miles of rocky bluff banks. For often there is no evidence of any broken off banks, unless you look real close.
Like the timbered banks that are broken off, there is hidden cover down below on these rock bluffs. Places now covered up from fallen in, washed in boulders, rocks and slab rocks. Perfect places for an entire school of both spotted bass and largemouth bass to hole up in, out of the current. As they await an easy to catch meal as it passes by.
Rock bluffs in Neely Henry Lakes headwaters, also show many other slight irregularities worth investigating. Small cuts and pockets situated within these rock bluffs provide eddy areas and places for the baitfish to escape the swift current. Great ambush spots for bass to prey on these meals too.
There are irregular bluff banks, bluff points, logjams and places where rock bluffs meet other types of banks. Not only is there plenty of visible wood and rock cover for anglers to target along these bluff banks, but places many anglers overlook, due to bank fishing.
First and secondary ledges on rock bluffs can hold schools of bass relating to deeper water or places not hammered as much as the visible bluff banks. These are ledges that can be right against the bluff banks, or the secondary ledges can be real close to the river channel, or they actually could be the main river channel drop-off.
Finding these places only means eyeing your depthfinder, studying a map, or just fishing. You can slowly probe these ledges with bottom lures, such as a very weedless Texas rigged worm. A lure that will help you feel every bit of cover down there. Wherever you intend to fish later in a bass tournament, you should always feel the bottom with lures in practice to actually know whats underwater.
Lure types for these lake headwaters vary tremendously. Warming trends show spotted bass and largemouth bass real active, often chasing down crankbaits, spinnerbaits, rattling lipless lures, a swimming jig, or attack floating and suspending jerkbaits, and even at times rise to a well placed topwater lure.
All of these lure types are lures that emit some kind of sound, flash or vibration for bass in these normally stained headwaters to home in on. Lure colors should be experimented with. Clear water calls for natural colors, white, silver and shad colors. Stained water calls for chartreuse, yellow, red, orange and other bright colors for bass to see better. Then there’s those cold fronts.
When heavy winter rains muddy up the lakes headwaters and incoming feeder creeks its hard enough to get these wintertime bass to bite. Add a cold front to that and you are fishing an anglers toughest conditions he can face…any time during the winter.
Cold, muddy water should always be avoided during the winter months. Head down the lake when these conditions take place. Do it fast. There are only so many hours in a fishing day. Don’t, “do it or die” in cold, muddy water situations, hoping for that one bite. Not when you can fish clearer water and get a lot more bites in a days time on the lakes lower end.
Be safe and always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch. The life you save could be your own this winter! Dress warm and carry spare clothes. Bring along spare sandwiches, candy bars, bags of potato chips, cakes and cookies (energy food — for emergencies). Always have plenty of crackers, warm food like soup, warm drinks like coffee and hot chocolate and always have fire starting materials like dry wood or paper.
You could fall in the water on any given day and need to heat up real fast. Hypothermia kills! Be prepared for the unexpected! Its hard to start a fire on a rainy day, without good dry paper, cardboard or wooden sticks and chips for fire starting material. Bring plenty of spare clothes for each boat occupant as well.
Never leave anything to chance, be safe this winter and always let loved ones at home know where you intend to launch and on what lake. Let them know when to expect you home and always give them a cell phone number to reach you and you have theirs as well. Have ways for them to give info to others, your type of boat and color, tag numbers and vehicle type and color, all for identification purposes in emergencies.
Need help fishing Neely Henry Lake this winter? Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first! Alabama’s oldest, professional freshwater guide service, guiding on all of Alabama’s Lakes year round. Several qualified guides and boats available year round for multiple parties and corporate guided trips.
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:
Summer Fishing on Lay Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
It was in the late 60’s when I first wet a hook, on Alabama’s Lay Lake. Unknown to me at the time, the lake had just been re-impounded in the early 60’s, raising the lakes water level another 16 feet. Stick ups, standing timer and hundreds of precut stumprows, were left for fish-holding cover, as the lake rose and the bass invaded the newly flooded shallows.
Ironically, fishing for bass on Lay Lake, is just as good today as it was back then, over 30 years ago. I’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge fishing this lake, guiding clients from all over the world, for over thirty years. I’ve won dozens of major bass tournaments and pocketed many a check, from Lay Lake’s weed-infested waters.
During any trip fishing on Lay Lake, I’ve always enjoyed the chase for the ever-elusive antic’s, of Lay Lake’s Largemouth Bass. I’ve also had my share of, heart-shaking experience, doing battle with the mighty, Coosa River Spotted Bass. Which most avid anglers will agree, is second to none.
Late summer is a very trying time for all anglers. Even those with years of experience. Whether its just fishing, or competing in a bass tournament, Lay Lakes late summer doldrums, can throw you a curve ball. Even the most experienced anglers of Lay Lake, struggle during these times.
There are too many variables, that change from day to day, that reposition the bass (particularly individual largemouth bass), living in and among the weeds. This goes for the spotted bass to, often labeled, “here today gone tomorrow bass.”
Knowing where to fish, when to be there, what to throw, how to present each individual offering, in an enticing manner, is what it takes to get quality bites on Lay Lake. This especially holds true when the temperatures reach their peak, during the late August early September period.
Where to fish? Boy, what are some “guides” thinking? Telling every reader (on this Lake, or any Lake report), one or two particular spots, and what they caught em’ on, does no one any good. Especially when hundreds of determined anglers, later converge on one very small spot, or a certain, confined area of the Lake, hoping for the exact same results, as the writer had.
But suggesting what to look for (many areas with similar characteristics), can narrow it down and spread out the choices, for the hundreds of readers, that depend on these reports for fishing information. Not because, experienced guides like myself want to keep “Honey Holes” all to their selves. If you are an experienced guide, and have fished long enough, this should never be a problem.
The Largemouth’s on Lay Lake can be hard to pinpoint on any given trip. In past summer season’s, anglers that probe deep within the many miles of Lay’s weedy banks, have had phenomenal success. They return next summer, but often bomb out.
Things change. Last year, the almost unbearable scorching summer sun climbed, midday temperatures were close to the 100 degree mark. Many anglers simply went night fishing or hung up their rods to watch sports on Television, in the cool air condition.
But for some determined anglers, that braved the heat, many surprisingly found the shallow water bass of Lay cooperated. Most anglers that knew, kept the shallow water bite all to themselves. Even during those low, 90 degree water temperatures, bass were caught in less than two feet of very shady water, on a variety of lures from top to bottom.
During the late summer period, bass have become conditioned to the heat, most adapt very well on Lay Lake. This is when shade, current, cooler water and thick, green, matted weeds all play a huge role, in where to fish. Shade, means looking for spots that bass can hide in security, without the bright, summer sun giving away their location.
This can be wood, weed or rock cover. Piers, boat houses, marinas, bridges, over hanging trees or bushes, and of course thick weeds, all offer shade. Shady banks can be found all along the main river, or far up in the many dozens of tributaries, Lay Lake has to offer.
These shady spots provide security and are often many degrees cooler than surrounding waters. Hot summer days, mean timing your fishing location, as the sun gets higher. For your comfort and a much better chance at catching more active bass. This pattern, can show bass biting on the Lakes eastern side, early to late mornings, and from midday to late evenings, on the Lakes western side.
Shade, combined with current, and weedy areas that provide lots of oxygenated water, is an excellent choice for finding big bass, and big schools of bass, both largemouth’s and spotted bass. During water generation, main lake weedy points, provide all of these comfortable requirements.
The same goes for the mouths of creeks, small cuts and pockets and the upper and lower ends of islands. These same places can have stumps, standing timber, lay down trees and brush piles. Wood cover, that provides excellent ambush spots, just out of the current.
Rocks, boulders and bluff-type banks, are all excellent places to find schools of bass, all summer long. By late summer, these places have become regular stop-off spots for cruising bass, or huge schools of bass seeking refuge from the swift current, during water generation.
Lay Lake has these rocky features from one end of the lake, to the lakes headwaters. Water generation plays a huge roll during summer. Bass are very active, even during hot, midday fishing trips, as long as there is water generation.
Along rock bluffs there are many features that attract both the baitfish and bass during these times of moving water. Points extruding out from rock bluffs, always deserve a few casts. Baitfish seek the shelter of eddy areas, out of the current on these points.
Fan casting these bluff points, with lures such as crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, rattletraps and spinnerbaits, simulate the baitfish they feed on here. Fast, erratic, stop-and-go retrieves, with these lures, trigger more strikes than a slow, steady retrieve.
Even when there is no evident current, bass holding on these bluff points cruise the scattered boulders, rocks and irregular bottom features, looking for easy-to-catch meals. This is when lures, such as deep divers, Texas and Carolina-rigged worms, lizards and crayfish imitations, Jig combos and tube baits, retrieved on or near the bottom, are good choices.
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:
Winter Fishing on Pickwick Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
There two Lakes on the lower Tennessee River System that produce trophy, smallmouth bass traditionally during an 8 week period from about mid January until mid March. Wilson Lake and Pickwick Lake. Both Lakes have boulder strewn tailrace waters coming off of upper lake dams at their headwaters.
These lake headwaters are very dangerous places for inexperienced boaters, where water generation creates a tremendous amount of current every day. Caution is advised.
Pickwick Lake and upstream Tennessee River Impoundment Wilson Lake are both trophy bass waters with distinct characteristics of their own.
Wilson Lake is a small lake in comparison with other lakes in north Alabama at about 17 miles in length. It is also a deep water lake with rock bluffs, deep original river channels and plenty of deep water cover and irregular bottom features. Wilson is kept at or near full pool all winter long. This provides an aquatic weed habitat of a various weed types, some weeds that thrive very well year round, even during the cold winter months.
At Wilson Lakes headwaters is the tailrace waters coming off of massive, Wheeler Lake dam (the second largest impoundment in Alabama). In addition to plenty of current with Wilson Lake not being drawn down during the winter months it is safer to navigate. Wilson Lake also has many feeder creeks with a good population of both predator and prey year round. See more about Wilson Lake at: www.fishingalabama.com at the “fishing tips and lake reports” links.
Pickwick Lake is drawn down during the winter months and then brought back up to full pool in the spring. It can be 2-3 feet down, 4-5 feet down, or at times even lower. Fishing Pickwick Lakes headwaters, during low water winter pool, an angler will immediately notice one very important aspect that pertains to his boating activities this winter on Pickwick Lake.
Once an angler navigates his / her boat past the two bridges that span the Lakes headwaters, use extreme caution for it gets shallow. Unlike during the summer months when anglers make a habitat of running the boat all the way up to the face of Wilson Lake dam in Pickwick Lakes headwaters, this is not advised during winter.
Boulders and huge rocks (some just under the waters surface), and a hard bottom spell disaster for fiberglass boats with a low draw to them. Idle your boat in these Pickwick Lake headwaters and trim up your outboard motor. Always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch. Again, these are dangerous waters and lives are at stake.
Now how about the fishing? Well, on Pickwick Lake, at times, its as good as it gets. But cold fronts and low, 20 degree nights can make for some miserable daytime fishing. Some days it barely reaches 50 degrees. Others its 60 or better! So be prepared for some long days with little or no bites, especially when following severe cold fronts with bright, bluebird skies.
But never give up! Some of the biggest smallmouth bass I’ve caught, my father and uncle have caught, good friends of mine have caught and clients of my guide service have caught, were taken in terrible winter weather. These are friends, clients and relatives that have fished with me for the last 30 plus winters on these Tennessee River impoundment’s.
Most trophy smallmouth bass anglers will agree their most memorable and best days (when they have caught a / some really big smallies), were during some downright miserable weather, with only a few bites in day time…but big ones!
Trophy smallmouth bass feed a lot. They have to, their big! Any big bass must eat constantly or eat big meals if it only eats occasionally. This means consuming meals that can fill a belly fast or chasing down many small meals (that must be consumed daily), to put on the needed fat reserves for winter.
This prepares the huge female smallmouth bass with the needed body weight for fasting during the spring spawn ahead, when they eat very little. So throw out the book! Smallmouth bass fishing does not always mean thinking, “they always eat small meals” or to the angler, small lures.
Some of the biggest smallies I’ve seen have hit lures fished from top to bottom, big lures usually associated with their old lazy cousin the largemouth bass. For instance:
From top to bottom would have to include Topwaters
Yes, smallmouth bass will hit a topwater lure during the cold, winter months. Most anglers that fish the Tennessee River Lakes with any regularity during winter know this. A big, 3 hooked 5 inch long Zara Super Spook topwater lure, slowly walking across the surface of the water (with a surface temperature of 50 degrees) can be very enticing for a big smallmouth bass looking up for an easy meal.
Its no different from a big, old wounded or weak gizzard shad struggling to swim as it slowly dies, floating along in the current, trying to swim on the waters surface. How many times during the cold winter season have you been fishing and heard a loud explosion break the silence as a huge bass explodes on some hapless baitfish? Same thing.
Suspending jerkbaits. In the mid water column my second choice for attracting big smallies in clear water situations would have to be a suspending jerkbait. These slim minnow type lures attract strikes from weary bass, big smallmouth bass that pass up other lures and often bass that even refuse other anglers jerkbaits. Jerkbaits that were just not fished slow enough.
Mark Menendez a Bassmaster Touring Professional angler once showed anglers that patience is very rewarding. When fishing a few years back with slow, enticing suspending jerkbaits during a cold wintertime Bassmasters Tournament held on Pickwick / Wilson Lakes, he hit the motherlode.
On three cold, consecutive winter days, Menendez caught big smallmouth after smallmouth and after culling 3 pounders each day, he won. He had a 5 bass limit each day weighing over 20 pounds, for a 3 day total of 15 bass over 60 pounds. All while anglers in other boats right beside him could not even get a bite. How did he do it? A very slow presentation, where he paused the suspending jerkbait in between twitches…often for a very, very long time before moving it.
Spinnerbaits fool a lot of big smallmouths during winter on these lakes. Some anglers drift with chartreuse and white 1/2 ounce model spinnerbaits in the main lake current, bumping bottom with these flashing, vibrating lures that simulate injured or dying baitfish, as they feed in the current close to the bottom.
Deep diving crankbaits, and shallow and mid divers, are all tools you use to find what depth, lure action, color and retrieve they want on any given winter day. Shad colors in clear water work best and colors like lime, yellow, red, orange or chartreuse and other brighter colors work best in stained water, along with crayfish colors as well, in any water clarity.
Rattling lipless lures such as Bill Lewis rattletraps and Cordell Rattling spots are great search lures. They can be fished fast for a shallow retrieve, or yo-yoed in deep water, or fished with slow lift and drop method close to the lakes bottom. Chrome / with blue back, or gold / with black back or red and orange and brown / crayfish are good colors.
On bottom smallmouth bass can have a certain preference. So try all sizes, shapes, and colors of soft plastics and jig combos. Worms, lizards, crayfish imitations, jigs, jig combos, tube baits, shad imitations, creature baits, single tailed grubs and double tailed grubs, and finesse fishing with small plastics on jig heads or rigged Texas style and Carolina rigged, are all good choices during winter. Also try jigging spoons, tailspinners and inline spinners too, this winter season on Pickwick Lake.
Looking for a guide on the Tennessee River System? Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first!” Over 30 years fishing / guiding on all of Alabama’s Lakes for bass and stripers.”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:
Weiss Lake Fall Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Normally, you will be hearing about the lowering of Weiss Lake for winter pool as fall approaches. But just like last year at this time, another summer season drought had the lake already down for winter pool. Weiss Lake was unseasonably low this past summer season. Just how low? Mid August showed the lake down five feet. This set some summertime low water records, for never has this lake been this low during the summer season. So how has this changed the bass fishing during the fall period? Tremendously.
In the past under normal, full pool, early fall conditions these Weiss Lake bass are usually heading for the weedy shallows of this lake. Usually, these bass have related to shallow water aquatic weeds, wood cover and rock cover all summer long. They have buried up in the ever growing weeds all summer long and many bass refuse to leave the security of their oxygen rich aquatic weed homes, even as the lakes waters begin to cool.
So like the bass (looking for an easy meal), bass anglers too have to eliminate the aquatic weeds in their search for this ever elusive quarry. This means targeting places they hang around otherwise. For no matter what the conditions these bass have got to eat.
Weiss Lakes Headwaters
The Lakes headwaters begins the slow meandering journey of this first of six lakes situated on the Coosa River System. Weiss Lake was impounded in 1961 backing up the waters of the original Coosa River System. Places like Mcgee bend, Fosters bend and Morton bend are actually located in the lakes headwaters, that stretch far into northwestern Georgia. So are some of the lakes major feeder creeks like Cedar Creek, King Creek and Mount Hope Creek. Many of these creeks (at normal full pool levels) usually feature water depths of less than five feet. Most, (but Cedar creek) have actually been high and dry with the past summer drought.
Many Alabama anglers never even venture this far into Weiss Lakes headwaters. There is a lot to fish from Weiss Lakes headwaters on the Alabama / Georgia State lines, without going any further up the lake. Besides, with unseasonably low lake levels this past summer season many anglers just navigated their boats into much safer waters, places with marked river channel buoys and much safer places with deep water found nearby. Mid lake on Weiss Lake during low water is considered safer for navigation.
From the Alabama / Georgia State lines to the lakes lower Weiss Lake dam is a lot of water for anglers to fish this fall season. Low water concentrates bass and baitfish, showing the lakes headwaters actually narrowed down to just an old, original river channel. This means fishing the mouths of creeks and small pockets, islands and main lake points located in the lakes headwaters, can all position an angler in some places bass are now crowded into, places other anglers avoid.
Weiss Lake Mid Lake
Mid Lake is considered some of the lakes best fishing during the fall period. This can be fishing the mouths of smaller feeder creeks like Ballplay Creek, Mud Creek and Three Mile creek, creeks mostly dry with flats exposed during lake drawdown. There are deeper creeks with navigable waters. Creeks like Spring creek and Cowan creek are located above the Hwy. 68 causeway crossing and they house schools of bass holding around piers, boat houses, marinas and wood cover like stumps, laying trees and resident planted brushpiles.
Rocky points, man made rip-rap rocks lining causeways and bridges are also good locations for finding bass this fall season on Weiss Lake. Besides major feeder creeks there is a lot to explore in the lakes mid section this fall season. Above the Hwy. 68 crossing Yanceys bend, Pruett’s Island and Godfrey’s Island are good shallow water flats near deep water drop-offs that hold bass year round.
Evident schools of baitfish and bass busting on top calls for numbers of lure selections when waters begin to cool in early fall. Topwater lures should always be tried on every location during fall’s early mornings, late evenings or often all day if cloudy or raining. Lures like zara spooks, buzzbaits, prop baits and popping type topwaters are good choices. Also try spinnerbaits, crankbaits and lipless lures like rattletraps, for these schooling bass.
Jigging spoons under these schooling bass seen on top, can show a good chance for an astute angler to fool some of the lakes bigger, more lazy bass. These over sized largemouth bass are usually feeding and holding down below the smaller schooling bass that are seen feeding on top. They are picking off the injured or dying baitfish that look like jigging spoons fluttering down below. Tailspinners, curly tail grubs or shad imitations fished on jig heads, blade baits or inline spinners are also good lure choices for schooling activity.
Both hard bodied jerkbaits and soft jerkbaits are excellent lure choices, including suspending hard bodied jerkbaits and shallow to mid running crankbaits in colors of white, chrome or shad patterns.
Experiment with your lure choice. Have several rods already rigged and ready to fish, with various types of lures. On every outing to Weiss Lake these bass will hit a certain lure. One certain lure they will hit, one that can display a certain action, shape, color or size they may like better than other lures. The only way to discover the days preference is to offer these bass many lures choices when they are actively feeding and foolishly attacking these baitfish schools during the fall and early winter period.
* A word of caution! Stay within the red and green channel markers when navigating Weiss Lake at low pool. There are many boating accidents every year when this lake is low. Venturing out of the main river channel can show an angler quickly navigating away from the buoys, through some very dangerous waters, often in 1-2 feet of stump filled waters left here during impoundment when stump flats were cleared. Laying logs and other obstructions (like rock piles) are visible or just beneath the waters surface. Use extreme caution this fall and winter season when boating on Weiss Lake.
Weiss Lake Lower Lake
An area starting at the Hwy. 68 causeway crossing, all the way to the Weiss Lake dam is considered lower lake fishing. There are two major rivers that feed the lake here. The Little River and the Chatuga River. Buffington’s Island and Hog Island are where both of these major incoming suppliers of fresh and cool river waters, join together and form main lake waters with the Coosa River channel. Any time you have three major river systems join together — it is a fish gathering spot year round.
There is also plenty of fish holding cover to explore in these two incoming rivers. In addition both rivers feature piers, boat houses, stump flats, small islands and main lake points. During impoundment left here were underwater ponds (and now submerged lakes) that can be found with map study, including old house foundations and roadbeds now submerged.
With low water there is now plenty of evident flats loaded with laying logs, fallen trees, stumps, brush piles and other wood cover. This including rock cover bass relate to as well. Like man made rip-rap rocks (for erosion) and natural banks featuring rock piles and boulders, all seen during low water.
Hazard buoys are placed lake wide marking shallow stumps, rock piles and other dangerous areas, but still anglers should practice navigating their boat with extreme caution. Use your boats electronics and idle along watching your depth finder when out of the marked red and green buoys on the main river channel or deeper creek channels.
From the main lake at Hog Island to about half way up in these two main feeder rivers, is all a first time angler should safely attempt to run the boat during low pool. Besides being able to spend an entire day in the incoming Little River and Chatuga Rivers there is a whole lot more for fall anglers to explore this fall and early winter seasons.
Yellow Creek Falls, Big Nose Creek and Little Nose Creek and many unnamed coves, small pockets adorn the lower lake all the way to Weiss Lake dam. Great places to fish this fall that are usually loaded with schools of baitfish and feeding bass.
Unknown to many anglers there is also a power house pool located through a small canal leading from Weiss Lake dam downstream to the Weiss Lake dam powerhouse. This is small lake in itself and often it gets loaded with baitfish that are funneled down through the connecting canal. Baitfish that cannot escape the feeding activity of both Coosa River spotted bass, largemouth bass and striped bass that are found here in the fall and early winter seasons.
Explore massive, Weiss Lake this fall season, but like said, “with caution,” first timers especially. It is a great time to bring along a camera, hand held GPS and a map, to mark and reference shallow water places that will be flooded again in the spring.
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:
