Lake Eufaula Fall Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Lake Eufaula has been unseasonably low for the entire summer. Drought for over three months and a scorching three weeks of 100 plus degree days in August, showed this lake and its fish inhabitants really suffer and so did the anglers that come from all over to fish this huge, man made impoundment usually fishing for largemouth bass. The Lake has been down 3-4 feet all summer and until recently when evening thunderstorms and some all day rains occurred it actually brought the lake back up a foot.
Lake Eufaula could remain low (possibly down even lower) right on into the upcoming winter season and it traditionally stays that way until spring. Or if this fall season is like most fall seasons on Lake Eufaula more heavy rains could suddenly swell the lake back to full pool. So as of this writing during the first week of September, its really hard to say. Not much has really changed…except for a slow, gradual change in the weather as September shows the real beginning of the fall season. Which can only get better creating better fishing conditions for the remainder of fall in October and November and on into the upcoming winter season.
This lake features over 70 miles of navigable water. Even when down 3-4 feet there is still plenty of fish holding waters to explore, but with caution. From Lakepoint Resort (which is situated in the mouth of Cowikee creek) - to the lakes headwaters, you will immediately notice the lake gradually narrows and then returns to more of a River channel. Most bass tournaments are held out of this very popular Lakepoint resort park that features a resort, motel, cabins, boat launch and restaurant.
From the bridge that crosses Cowikee Creek, all the way out to the main river channel, is over a mile of twisting, turning (and well marked) creek channel. It is advised not to take any short cuts in this area. Stay within the red and green channel markers when navigating the boat here and within the red and green channel marker buoys on the main lake as well. If you just happen to stray to far from these deeper creek and river channel depths you will quickly see what I mean, with 1-2 feet of water very evident nearby most every channel marker.
Fishing for the lakes so well noted largemouth bass involves either targeting shallow water bass around wood cover and whatever aquatic weeds still exists or going deep. The fall season has bass in both shallow water and deeper water to be found lake wide by the angler that is willing to do a little research, map study (and in deep water), spend some quality time with some type of depthfinder or just spend years of fishing and exploring this huge lake…like I have.
I’ve fished and guided all over Lake Eufaula for over 30 years. My dad and uncle fished in the earlier years of its impoundment when it first opened in 1963 over 45 years ago. The lake has changed in many ways over the past 30-40 years. But one thing remains common knowledge even today by the many regulars that frequent Lake Eufaula. As its waters begin to cool fall and early winter may show some of the years biggest bass in shallow water for a longer period of time, more than any other time of the entire year. Reasons being they are eating.
These bass have seen a lot of lures and although its been said a bass does not remember more than a few weeks and it does not really think just reason, they can respond. These bass are pounded with lures of all kinds all throughout the early spring prespawn season, during spring when bedding, all summer long both day and night and now, during the fall season. You can bet one of those many unfortunate bass you may catch has been caught before. This is usually quite evident by its hook torn mouth or healed up and often scarred and deformed mouth, or a missing eye or hazy looking blind eyes, or even a hook still in its mouth from the last angler that left it there or got broke off! So choose your lures wisely.
Sure both the bass of fall in shallow water and those bass in deeper water may still hit a 10 inch worm. But they may really scrutinize the lure before striking it too. Or they could just follow it and suddenly appear right at the boat, as you lift the fake offering over board. So slow down, working the worm very painstakingly slow and see if you can get bites other anglers fishing way to fast fail to entice. This goes for fishing deep within any weeds, wood cover, rocks or rip-rip rap rocks or other shallow water cover with worms, lizards, tube baits, creature baits or jig combos. Think slow, fish slow, and set the hook fast when you do get a bite and you will be rewarded.
Many anglers simply spend an entire day just dragging soft plastics or jig combos along the lakes bottom hoping to get a bite. And on some days this tactic works very well. Texas rigged plastics, Carolina rigged lures and even small finesse lures fished on light tackle outfits have worked very well in fooling Lake Eufaula’s often very skittish bass into biting. Some anglers even approach these bass in a very quite manner as they get the boat in tight to bank cover and flip, pitch and swim their lures in and around weeds, rocks and wood cover.
But there are many other ways to fool these largemouth bass, many techniques, various types of lures and loads of places to explore on Lake Eufaula this fall and early winter season. Like said, “fishing slow always has its rewards” and when bottom dragging lures or punching into thick cover, slow is always better. “Fast fishing” comes with other lures.
When I was young we trolled lures for bass on Lake Eufaula. This technique involved letting out lures (and lots of line) such as deep diving crankbaits far behind the boat, as we slowly idled the boat down the bank, along a flat featuring a drop-off, or we trolled our deep diving hellbenders, mud bugs or other deep diving crankbaits (plugs) near a river channel or deep creek channel drop-off. If you can relate and have tried trolling for bass you surely lost some lures as we did back then.
Something interesting always entered my mind as we started each day trolling. How could these bass chase down these very fast trolled lures and then catch them, often getting hooked right in the wake of that bold looking 25 horsepower outboard motor? Even during the winter! So never think you can out reel a bass, if they can chase down a lure trolled behind a boat. So fast retrieved lures such as crankbaits fished in all depths, rattling lipless lures (like Rattletraps, Cordell Spots, etc.) in all sizes and weights, even floating and suspending jerkbaits can be attacked when retrieved very fast and with very erratic actions. This can be good this fall and winter as well with just casting your lures!
Not only crankbaits, but spinnerbaits, jigging spoons and fast retrieved jig combos can often generate those reaction strikes from bass that are actually tricked into hitting your fast retrieved lures. Bass (on the other hand) that are missed by anglers fishing to slow on Lake Eufaula this fall season….
Making a trip to Lake Eufaula this fall and winter season? Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first! Or make plans and book a two day, discounted instructional fishing trip, this year or next spring (discounted as well) and prepare for a day full of fishing tips, instructions, lure choice and years of compiled fishing stories and tales! Remember a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service makes a great gift for Birthday’s, Father’s Day or Christmas (certificates available), for those loved ones that love to fish!
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 Jordan Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
It’s hot and getting hotter. No, I’m not talking about the weather this time. I’m referring to the spotted bass fishing on Jordan Lake. Each year, this lake, now near 75 years old, gets better with age.
The Lakes headwaters get all the notoriety for the spotted action found here throughout the summer months. Below Mitchell Lake dam, the spots, as most anglers call them, are right at home in this perfect, spotted bass habitat.
First of all they have current. Spotted bass love current. They also have boulder strewn banks, rocky bluffs and rocky points and even some washed out holes and ledges on the lakes bottom. All “spots” love these attractions.
Baitfish, washed through the dam discharge, keeps em’ coming back for more and many huge spotted bass just spend their lives within a few miles of the dam. Spotted bass, weighing up to 8 pounds (or more) have been taken here, by the angler fortunate enough to land them. Spots, in the 4-5 pound range, are common in these Jordan Lake headwaters and some anglers catch a 5 bass, 20 pound limit, on any summer outing here.
Fooling these bass, that have seen so many lure choices, would seem to be difficult. But you never know, unless you throw. Choosing many types of lures, in a days time, will eventually show them a lure, they have not seen very much or a retrieve that triggers that reflex strike.
The old standby, the worm, has fooled many of the bigger spotted bass species found here. Although these spotted bass have features such as a small mouth, they can be gluttons when it comes to soft plastics. Many anglers choose small 4-6 inch worms. But 7- 8 inch models, seem to target the bigger bass.
This oversized lure choice also goes for crayfish or lizard imitations. The bigger the offering, the bigger thebass. Around these rocks many crayfish are consumed by the bass. Lures such as jigs, with pork or plastic trailers, get the attention of bass feeding on these bottom dwelling crustaceans.
With all the evident baitfish found here in Jordan Lakes headwaters, lures that resemble shad or bream are good choices. Spinnerbaits fool a lot of these bass. Crankbaits, rattletraps and jerkbaits, are all excellent for covering a lot of water fast and getting that reflex strike from lure conscience bass.
Topwaters, such as zara spooks, baby torpedoes, spittin’ image, pop-r’s, double prop baits and buzzbaits, always generate a few anxious bass bites. Prepare for these bass. They are very strong and will test any tackle or anglers patience. Many anglers leave Jordan Lake, with just the tale of the one that got away.
You don’t have to use light line and tackle, unless you want to. Line in the 14-20 pound test category can be safely used, without breaking off any trophy sized bass. Give it a try this summer and discover the incredible spotted bass action 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:
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 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:
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 Winter 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:
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:
Wheeler Lake Summer Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
As summer progresses there are many ways to fool the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass that make up this huge, man made impoundment on the Tennessee River System. Many anglers resort to night fishing on Wheeler Lake during the summer period.
To beat the heat (that can reach 100 degrees by midday), anglers may launch the boat late in the evening and fish all night, until it begins to warm at mid morning the next day. Others just fish until the midnight hours and head for home early to get a few hours sleep. Either way, night fishing can be very relaxing and often very rewarding, in terms of trophy bass.
Some anglers are forced to fish during the daylight hours and they must adjust to the heat just like the bass they are after. Like marathon night fishing, some anglers will stay out all day and brave the midday heat in search of their ever elusive bass quarry, despite the grueling conditions. Old timers or seasoned anglers usually time their trips accordingly and fish only during the early morning hours or during late evening hours.
Despite your choice (of fishing during the daylight hours or under the stars at night), the summer months of June, July and August have got to include plans for both types of fishing. So heres some tips for anglers that do a little of both day and night fishing on Alabama’s second largest impoundment, Wheeler Lake.
Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass do feed during the daylight hours throughout Wheeler Lake. They also feed at night. From the lakes headwaters (situated just below Guntersville Lake dam), to over 50 miles south at midlake where the Interstate 65 crosses the lake are good places to fish all summer. The lakes lower end fed by the incoming Elk River and major incoming feeder creeks, displays all types of shallow to deep water habitats these bass occupy all summer long.
Wheeler Lakes Headwaters - The upper end of Wheeler Lake is more of a river type situation and the incoming feeder creeks and the lakes headwaters (below Guntersville Lake dam) supply fresh, cool incoming water, which creates current and oxygen. Constant barge traffic in these lake headwaters also keeps the water moving and the dam opening and closing all day creates lots of current. Creek mouths, and the mouths of small cuts and pockets, are excellent places to fish this summer with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and lures fished on bottom.
Wheeler Lakes mid-Lake - Two bridges cross the lake at its mid section and just below here is the millfoil and hydrilla infested, Decatur Flats. Incoming feeder creeks and loads of piers, boat houses and a few marinas that show shade seeking bass plenty of places to occupy this summer.
Wheeler Lakes Lower End - The incoming Elk River winds for miles throughout the scenic hillsides. It includes many bridges, loads of rock bluffs and a twisting, winding river channel, that creates log jams on every flat and bend.
Piers, boat houses and a few incoming creeks show the Elk River an all day excursion when exploring this major source of incoming water. There is always plenty of evident prey and loads of nutrients in the Elk River. Use caution when navigating during both day and night. There are always a few logs floating down the Elk River in the summer.
There is also Spring Creek across from the Elk River and First Creek and Second Creek near the dam on the Lakes lower end. Bridges lined with man made rip-rap rocks and major creek and river channel flats, bluffs and drop-offs hold schools of bass all summer long in this lower lake region.
There is also plenty for these bass to dine on all summer long throughout Wheeler Lake and many of these prey are found in these lake headwaters, mid lake and the lakes lower end. With many choices for the bass to consider.
Incoming meals like threadfin shad and gizzard shad baitfish, all sizes of minnows, a variety of bream, sunfish, small rock bass and other small baitfish are consumed daily. Lures that mimic baitfish like crankbaits, rattletraps and both floating and suspending jerkbaits are good choices this summer.
This lengthy list of summertime favorites these bass consume includes both small and large crayfish, all types of insects like bees, wasps or dragon flies and even frogs, small mice, small snakes, worms, eels and lizards. All of which are found in and around these places lake wide this summer.
There are spots that Wheeler Lake bass inhibit all summer. Places like around wood cover such as stumps, brush piles, laying trees and man made wood cover. This includes rocks and boulders and in and around all types of aquatic weeds. These are all dependable places to return to as conditions stabilize each week and more and more schools of both predator and prey move in.
Everything these bass need for survival (when the temperature soars and they are seeking these comforts each day or night) while feeding on what ever comes their way, gets down to what lures you can use to fool them into striking your offerings this summer.
Some anglers fish shallow, some fish deep. Versatile anglers do both during the summer months. Shallow bass are feeding bass and during the daylight hours or late evenings on Wheeler Lake this tactic always calls for including a few topwaters in your list of tempting offerings.
This can mean the use of weedless lures fishing right up in the many types of aquatic weeds Wheeler Lake has to offer. Around millfoil, hydrilla and Lilly pads try buzzbaits, frogs and rats, weedless spoons, spinnerbaits and both floating worms and soft jerkbaits. These lures are among many anglers favorites.
These many types of weedless lures are necessary (for less frustration), when targeting thick weeds and fishing with weedless lures helps avoid hanging or losing costly lures. The use of weedless lures always increases your chance for more catching and fooling these bass into striking your lures as well.
At early morning light topwaters fished along flats, rip-rap rocks and around other wood, weed and rock cover, can include a lengthy list of the not so weedless type topwaters, usually featuring one or more treble hooks. Walking type topwaters like zara spooks, Sammie’s and other cigar shaped topwaters, are deadly on both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass at dawn, late evenings or during cloudy, rainy periods. Also day or night try pop-r’s, prop baits and an old favorite, the jitterbug.
Fishing at night on Wheeler Lake can include using the same lures you use during the day. But most nighttime anglers stick with topwaters, spinnerbaits and lures fished on bottom like plastics rigged on a jig head, Texas rigged or Carolina rigged plastic lures, tube baits, creature baits and jig combos.
Whether you fish during the day or night, Wheeler Lake has both types of fishing to offer this summer. Be safe and always include your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch when boating this summer. Fishing Licenses, boat registration papers, up to date boat stickers and items such as a throw cushion, a fully charged fire extinguisher and life jackets for each boat occupant will be checked by the water patrol.
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”
