Summer Fishing on Lake Eufaula
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
Early summer drought had the lake down 2 feet. This eliminated lots of shallow water for anglers to decipher with Lake Eufaula naturally being a shallow lake with expanded flats. It also eliminated a lot of fishable water as well. Anglers expecting to fish there favorite weedbeds in that 1- 3 feet of water had to look elsewhere as summer began. Some places normally shallow at full pool were even hard to get the boat in.
What many anglers fail to recognize is that many bass are heading for the security of thick, shallow cover or the comfort of deep water for the summer. They are not stacked up in the shallows like a few months back, when bedding bass were everywhere and post spawn activity had bass blasting topwater lures on every cast. Don’t get me wrong, there are some bass that do remain in shallow water year round on Lake Eufaula. There are also some very catchable bass in what shallow water cover that now currently exists with the lake level unseasonably low.
Lake Eufaula still has lots of aquatic weeds for bass to seek shelter in. Wood cover and rock cover can still be found lake wide. So as water temps heat up bass either seek the shelter and cooler water in the shallows around wood, rock and weed cover or they head for deeper water.
In deep water, schools of bass either suspend at a preferred depth or they are found laying on or near the lakes bottom deep along ledges, drop-offs and any other sudden depth change. Keep in mind, for their comfort these bass are always in cooler water. Moving water or current is best in summer.
Like the bass, the summertime bass angler has to search out these favorite, summertime haunts. Finding these likely, summertime holding spots always involves lots of searching and fishing Lake Eufaula from shallow to deep water. Of course this does not come easy. It can get downright frustrating going without a bite for hours while sitting in the hot, midday sun.
Patience is needed during the hot, summer months as much as it is when fishing during the dead of winter. Don’t expect a lot of bites after the typical, early morning, crack of dawn, summertime bite ceases. Any bites you do get after sunup, be glad you did.
Many anglers often leave Lake Eufaula (early in the day), disappointed in the results of their fishing. Especially discouraged after hearing from anglers from all over the United States about how good of a lake it is. Some anglers travel miles, spending lots of hard earned dollars on preparation, meals, motels, etc., while often visiting the Lake a few days…all in hopes of landing one of Lake Eufaula’s famed, trophy largemouth
bass.
So heres some tips for summertime fishing for largemouth bass on Lake Eufaula this summer. From June - September finding these bass in these likely looking spots will assure their return – when you return them to the water you found them in. Please Practice Catch and Release. Let these bass go (of course after taking a few pictures of them), right where you caught them. Unless you are in a bass tournament there is no reason to ride them all over the lake in that hot livewell, submitting them to unnecessary abuse and often, death.
Deep bass on Lake Eufaula can be deep when the temperature soars. They can be found holding along10-30 foot break lines on both creek and main river channel drop-offs. When these deep bass are found, locating them again, means marking the spot on a map or GPS to help you in returning to on later trips. Most deep water bass can be found in the same locations all summer.
So having many deep water spots shows moving around on some days, which in turn also cools you down with a boat ride. Having many previously marked deep water locations will help. If you are a first timer to massive, Lake Eufaula you can narrow your search in finding good drop-offs.
This simply means fishing around red and green river channel markers or white creek channel markers. These places are always right on the deepest drop. So are fish attractors, brush piles planted and marked by man, which are found lake wide. Rip-rap rocks found around bridges, causeways and the dam are also good day and night.
Lures for deep bass can be heavy 1/2 ounce to 2 ounce size spinnerbaits, either slow rolled or dropped along deep drop-offs. Deep diving crankbaits and Carolina rigged lizards or big, 10 inch Texas rigged plastic worms can be fished on 1/4 ounce to 1 ounce sinkers or jig heads. Tube baits, jig combos, crayfish imitations, creature baits or even small, finesse worms will also fool these deep water bass.
On cloudy days, late evenings or early mornings bass will even hit topwaters fished on shallow flats that border these drop-offs. Other lures? Rattling lipless lures in the half to 3/4 of an ounce size, shallow to deep diving crankbaits, floating and suspending jerkbaits and even jigging spoons or tailspinners will all work. So having many rods already rigged is advised to give these bass a variety of choices until you see which one works best!
Shallow bass on Lake Eufaula can be caught all day. Or if its just to hot, an angler can fish only the early morning hours, late evenings or at night. If forced to fish during the daylight hours (like tournaments) fishing the lakes many types of aquatic weeds is sure to be in your game plan. Even with Lake Eufaula unseasonably down a few feet for the summer these bass are always in and around some type of weeds still growing in the water.
Lilly pads are slowly taking over the entire lake. During the spring an unseasonably warm heat wave showed early Lilly pad growth (in a lake at full pool this past spring) displaying Lilly pads growing everywhere in shallow water. Drought left many of these huge Lilly pads protruding above the waters surface like some open umbrella. They soon whither, turn brown and die in the hot summer sun.
But new growing Lilly pads soon show the shallows green and very active as lake levels stabilize and bass move right in under the security of the shade provided by Lake Eufaula’s over sized Lilly pads. Some isolated Lilly pads can grow to over 3 feet in diameter, providing cooler water, shade and security and an oxygen rich environment for these bass and the prey they dine on to relate to.
These summertime meals can be many, in and around these Lilly pads, including the many other types of aquatic weeds this massive lake displays. This means having many lure choices for anglers to employ to aid them in fooling these shallow water bass into striking. The list of summertime favorites on bottom are many and the choices can include techniques like flipping, pitching or swimming lures in and around the weeds and Lilly pads. Each style or lure choice varies among each and every angler.
Some anglers have success fishing a huge field of Lilly pads by constantly fishing hollow bodied frogs and rats. Those lures featuring a skirt and two upturned hooks or some of the rather new solid bodied plastic frogs in use today featuring only one hook, that actually sound more like a buzzbait when retrieved.
Buzzbaits are a close second, along with safety pin type spinnerbaits (or an old favorite still in production today, the Snagless Sally an inline spinner), or the name sake Chatterbait (or the many copies now on the market today), all of which are very weedless and can be retrieved in and around these Lilly pads and weeds.
Weedless spoons (in finishes of either gold, silver, smoke black or frog), with an attached pork chunk trailer, plastic chunk trailer or twin tail trailer, are all but forgotten favorites. These weedless spoons, are, “very weedless” and their wobbling action attracts strikes from bass hiding in the weeds. Bass that are not accustomed to seeing these type of old favorite lures…lures that still fool largemouth bass in the weeds on Lake Eufaula today.
* NOTE *All of these type lures mentioned should be fished on heavy, monofilament line or one of the new braided lines on the market today. There are some big, strong bass in Lake Eufaula’s weeds.
Each lure requires a correct presentation, matched equipment and on some days even the correct lure color can make a difference in whether you get bites or not. Having 10 rods already rigged with fresh line on each reel (all for shallow or deep water applications), can be very time saving while on the water. This provides an angler more time for fishing and less time rigging rods, changing lures and not fishing.
Dawn or late evening hours (during the heat of summer), actually only shows about one good hour of fishing and catching. This usually takes place out of 3-4 hours of just casting and not getting a bite. So having a lure in the water can be important during these feeding times when bass are more active. Save rigging time, eating time and other fish ignoring activities for when the bass are not as likely to be biting. A midday break in the shade does wonders.
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 Guntersville Lake
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
LOWER LAKE
Anglers that choose to fish Guntersville’s lower lake region this summer will find plenty of company. But there is refuge, away from the maddening crowd, if exploring small tributaries is in the game plan. You can catch plenty of the lakes very healthy largemouth bass, in a variety of ways, both on the main lake and in the creeks, with a little patience.
Honeycomb Creek, Brown’s Creek, Spring Creek and Town Creek, all wind far back in the scenic woods. All of these major tributaries offer rock bluffs, man made piers and boat houses, milfoil and hydrilla aquatic weeds, stumps, trees, brush and bottom irregularities.
These creeks are all “summertime haunts” of the lakes big bass population. A variety of fishing situations exists, for the versatile angler to explore. Cool, shady spots that can hold huge schools of bass, away from the recreational crowd, that constantly disturbs the main lake waters, can be found here.
There are many locations, where an angler can fool lots of bass (even some trophies in the 10 pound range or better), on the lakes lower end. Fishing can be in seclusion, at least for a few hours, if getting on the water at dawn, fishing late in the evening, or when night fishing. On the main lake, the choices are many, for summertime fishing.
Deep rock bluffs, river ledges and deep drop-offs, small, visible islands and many hidden, submerged humps, bars and ridges, including a series of main lake flats can be found here. All loaded with fish holding cover and all, that harbor huge schools of bass, when temperatures soar.
Bass spend their entire summer feeding along these main lake features and most, often go unmolested by the bank beating anglers, throughout the summer months.
MID LAKE
As mentioned, when fishing the lakes lower end, you will find hoards of water vessels, to keep you company throughout the summer months, on this very recreational lake. From Town Creek (on the lakes Eastern side) to the very popular North Sauty Creek, (on the West side of the lake), the lake continues to show a wide, lake-like appearance.
From here (Just above North Sauty Creek) northward to the lakes headwaters, the lake narrows to a more river-type situation.
But, like the lakes lower end, there still remains loads of cover for anglers to probe (both day and night), on this massive lake. Heading upriver, after going under Hwy. 79 bridge that spans the lakes lower end, you will encounter four major feeder creeks. These tributaries are all found on your right, as you navigate upstream. They are easily found on a map of the lake, situated on the Eastern side of the lake.
These creeks all offer loads of bass holding cover, shade, and often a little seclusion during the summer months. Spring Creek has several bridges, all loaded with fish holding, man made, rip-rap rocks. This includes weeds, boat houses, piers and a marina, all with fish holding shade. You will see plenty of barges tied up as you leave Spring Creek and head upriver into a small tributary, Short Creek. It too, has a bridge that spans the creek, good for day and night fishing.
Town Creek, found just above Short Creek, is bigger and will obviously be holding more fish. It also has loads of submerged humps and a winding creek channel in the mouth, and plenty of weeds, rocks and wood cover, including shallow to deep water access, up in the creek. All for bass to relate to throughout the hot, summer months.
Continuing north, anglers can see a huge main lake flat loaded with weeds, laying logs and trees, small islands and the mouth of South Sauty Creek. Just above here, the lake will begin to narrow as you head north toward the lakes headwaters. But still, the lake displays some pretty impressive creeks and smaller cuts and pockets to explore.
At the lakes mid section, heading upriver (after going under Hwy. 79 bridge), you will see the lake make a hard bend to the left. This is on the Western side of the lake, across from Town Creek and as you head upriver. Here, you will notice small cuts, pockets and creeks.
Siebold Branch is very noticeable, with red and green river channel buoys and power lines, crossing the mouth. It also has a few islands to explore. Like all the pockets and creeks on this western side of the midlake region, it is crossed in the far back end by Hwy. 79, that runs north, parallel to the lake.
Piers, boat houses, rip-rap lined causeways and weedy, scummy flats (with thick, millfoil and hydrilla weeds) all adorn these small, midlake pockets, including smaller creeks found here, like Preston Creek and Mink Creek.
The much bigger, North Sauty Creek, home of many bass tournaments held out of Goosepond Boat Launch, shows excellent bass fishing habitat during the summer months. There are hundreds of bass released here during tournaments held weekly, year round. Several bridges, all lined with rip-rap rocks, including loads of weedy flats and stumpy backwaters, all offer comfortable surroundings for these released bass to relate to.
UPPER LAKE
If getting away from the crowd is in mind, then exploring the lakes headwaters can be an all summer affair. From North Sauty Creek to the lakes headwaters (just below Nick a Jack Dam) anglers have over 40 miles of main lake flats, creek mouths, islands and ledges and drop-offs, to fish.
A summertime bonus on any lake, can be found in these lake headwaters. You will usually have less company, unlike when fishing the mid to lower lake region, when targeting fish in the upper lake region. Although the main lake offers plenty of fish holding cover, there are still many creek backwaters to explore here.
Heading upriver, just before going under Comer bridge (Hwy.35) that crosses the lake, are actually two creeks, that join together in the scenic backwaters. Roseberry Creek and Dry Creek are mostly hidden from view of the main lake, but both offer miles of fish holding cover.
Also Town Creek (the lake has two creeks named Town Creek), Mud Creek and Crow Creek, all that are crossed in the mid creek region by Hwy. 72. Bridges on this western side of the lake, up in these major feeder creeks, offer shade and lots of bass producing rip-rap rocks for bass to relate to in the summer. They are also excellent at night for fishing around well lighted areas.
The lakes headwaters, situated below NickaJack dam, like any Tennessee River impoundment, offers a variety of fish species to target. While fishing the swift water found here, in the dam tailrace area, anglers can catch bass of all species. Here, fish find seclusion in the much cooler, oxygenated waters. There is plenty to eat, with the baitfish holding waters found in Guntersville Lakes headwaters, in the upper lake region.
Explore massive Guntersville Lake this summer. Or call Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133 to see how. “Over 40 Years Fishing Guntersville Lake and all other Alabama Lakes”
*Note: To see more on fishing Guntersville Lake this summer, including fishing tips and lure suggestions, for both day and night fishing on Guntersville Lake, go to: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com and click on the “fishing
tips” link.
Originally Published (2007)
Resources:
Pickwick Lake Summer Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
LOWER LAKE
If you have never fished the lower end of Pickwick Lake, you may be surprised. Most anglers that visit this Tennessee River Impoundment in North Alabama, never venture far from the lakes headwaters. Starting at the lower lake dam there is plenty of cover and bottom irregularities for anglers to target and for bass of all species to relate to.
Bear Creek, the largest feeder creek on the lakes lower end, does show excellent smallmouth habitat, with deep rock bluffs, small pebble points, humps and ridges, including many deep river ledges and drop-offs found here. Largemouth bass can be caught in this huge creek, from the creek mouth to the shallow stump flats in the creeks headwaters. Weedbeds, piers, boat houses and a winding feeder creek loaded with wood cover, produce quality largemouth bass throughout the summer months. Even a few spotted bass can be found, often mixed right in with other bass species.
Second Creek near the lakes lower dam is also a good creek for day or night fishing this summer. Rock bluffs, rocky boulder-strewn banks, piers, boat houses, a bridge surrounded with rip-rap rocks, and weedy, stump-filled flats all show a variety of cover situations. Although the lake is deep on this lower end and quite featureless, fish will relate to slight irregularities found along the main lake. Small pockets, cuts, and broken off banks, are excellent choices for fishing day or night, throughout the summer months. From Pickwick dam to Natchez Trace Parkway bridge, there are many places to explore this summer, on the lakes lower end.
MID LAKE
Before you travel up (or down) this lake, study a map. You will immediately notice Koger Island, just above Natchez Trace Bridge. It is an excellent place to fish when water is being generated. You will also notice the lack of creeks in this midlake region, although over a dozen “small Branches” do exist. Only a few major feeder creeks in this mid lake area are worth investigating this summer. Mulberry Creek, Horseshoe Bend Creek, Dry Creek and Little Bear Creek, do have water depths deeper than 10 feet, and all of these feeders hold a good concentration of bass, most are seeking the shade and cooler current found in these creeks.
There is an abundance of visible and submerged islands, rock bluffs, underwater ridges and bars, and plenty of creek mouths and rock piles (actually old Indian Mounds) in this mid lake region. Some map study and the use of your electronics, will aid an angler in discovering these hidden hotspots. Smallmouth bass are known to inhibit these mid lake waters, feeding on washed in meals, brought to them by the strong current of the Tennessee River System. Striped bass and hybrid striped bass are also found in these rocky drop-offs. The largemouth bass prefer the more slack water areas and can be found in the creek mouths, far up in the creeks or along wood and rock cover found on the main lake, generally out of the swift current.
UPPER LAKE
Most anglers that have fished Pickwick Lake, have found the lakes headwaters to hold a variety of fish species. Some anglers never fish any further than 3-4 miles from the lakes headwaters, below upper Wilson Lake dam, featuring swift, tailrace waters. This is smallmouth country and many huge smallmouth bass in the trophy category, are caught from these swift, tailrace waters each season. As when fishing below any dam, it is mandatory all boat occupants wear a life jacket when fishing or navigating within 800 yards of the dam. With hot, 90 degree plus days now at hand, many anglers fish at night in these lake headwaters, to avoid the daytime crowds and to beat the heat.
There are also many other places to explore, when the fish are not biting at the dam. A canal, right beside the dam, lined with miles of rip-rap rocks, shows smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass and striped bass, gathering here throughout the summer months. This canal leads upriver to a Lock, where barges and huge boats are allowed to lock through the dam. Fish feed along the rip-rap rocks, found on both sides of this canal, when water is being released through the lock.
Just above the Mc Farland Park public boat launch (near the town of Florence) is a bridge, and further upstream about 1-2 miles, within site of the dam, is another bridge. These bridge pilings hold fish of all species year round, feeding and holding out of the swift current found here. Three to four miles below the public launch is a series of mid lake islands. Seven Mile Island, the biggest of all, is sitting right in the middle of the lake. Swift, main lake current splits here and joins several other rocky islands in this deep river bend. There are also many backwaters to explore, including Coffee Slough, hidden from view on the lakes Northern shores. Little Cypress Creek, right below McFarland Park public boat launch, winds far back in the hill sides, and holds a good concentration of bass and stripers, especially in the creek mouth during water generation or when evident current is visible.
Explore the 50 plus miles of water on Pickwick Lake this summer and discover some new fishing holes of your own. Or call Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133 and see how to fish this huge lake day or night. “Over 40 Years Fishing Pickwick Lake and other Alabama Lakes for Bass and Stripers”
NOTE* See My Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com Just click on the “fishing tips” link for updated
summertime fishing tips and lure suggestions, for both day and night fishing, on Pickwick Lake (and other
Alabama Lakes) this summer.
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”
Wilson Lake Summer Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
LOWER LAKE
From Wilson dam to Wheeler dam is only a little less than 16 miles. Although a very small lake and a very short distance from dam to dam, compared to the 50 plus miles of other Tennessee River impoundment’s, this small lake has big rewards.
Like the one received, by some fortunate angler that caught the world record smallmouth bass in the 50’s. Or the lady that caught a 13 pound largemouth bass, while fishing below Wheeler dam. Or the many anglers that have successfully hooked and landed striped bass and catfish, in excess of 30 pounds. It also has an excellent bream population, an abundance of catfish, hybred-striped bass, white bass, and even a decent sized crappie population.
All of these, and other fish species, can be found while fishing the lakes lower end. Here, like other Tennessee River impoundment’s, the lake was backed up with towering rock bluffs, now flooded, years after impoundment.
Small pockets, and main lake flats, in addition to the cooler, shady areas, found under piers, boat houses and overhanging rock bluffs, are all excellent spots to search out both the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, during day and night fishing excursions, this summer.
Not far from Wilson dam, on the lakes Northeastern shores is a feeder creek worth exploring this summer. Shoal Creek, spanned at its midsection by Hwy.72 bridge, shows nice catches of largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, stripers (and even crappie under the bridge at night with lights), even when its very hot. Across the lake, McKierman Creek is smaller, but does has deep water access and a good fish population.
MID LAKE
Hidden, underwater humps can’t be seen, but a good map will reveal these mid lake spots, anglers can find huge schools of bass bunched up in this summer. Just above Shoal Creek, are two feeder creeks named Six
Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek. Scan a map and look out in front of these small feeders, at midlake, to discover humps that can be found with some depthfinder use.
Town Creek, found on the lakes Southeastern side, is a good creek for finding a variety of fish this summer, all seeking the current and cooler mountainous waters found in this creek’s headwaters. As you enter this
creek beware of floating logs and shallow, stump rows. The weedy islands in the creek mouth hold quality fish all summer. As do the many piers and boat houses found here.
UPPER LAKE
Look for surfacing fish, at the lakes headwaters this summer. Fishing below Wheeler dam in Wilson Lakes headwaters, anglers can encounter line stretching fish, when targeting surfacing or schooling activity on top.
There is a lock to explore, rocky bluffs, rock islands and rip-rap lined banks, for targeting shallow fish found in the 5-10 foot range all summer.
Feeder creeks in these lake headwaters are few. On the lakes Northeastern shores is Blue Water Creek. Log jams, creek flats, weed beds, rock bluffs, and piers, this small creek has it all for the versatile creek-fishing angler.
The same goes for Big Nancy Creek, found on the lakes Southeastern side, near the dam. It has a twisting, winding creek channel, with 5-10 foot depths. Log jams, laying trees, stumps, brush piles, rock bluffs and a
bridge that crosses midways of this creek, shows a lot of fish relating to a variety of cover, all throughout the summer months.
Thanks and Good Fishin’
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Birmingham, Alabama
E-mail: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
“Over 40 Years Fishing, Guiding and Exploring every Lake in Alabama for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth
Bass, Spotted Bass and some huge Striped Bass”
Originally Published (2007)
Resources:
Bankhead Lake Summer Bass Fishing
Article by: Reed Montgomery - FishingAlabama.com
I grew up fishing Bankhead Lake, better known locally as just, “The Warrior.” And what a “Warrior” it is, to survive in such an unforgiving world, just like many Warriors before.
I started out fishing, long ago, renting an old wooden boat at Lost Creek. Now, some 30 plus years later, I still visit that exact same Lilly pad, infested pocket, near the mouth of Lost Creek. It still holds bass and casting a frog imitation, spinnerbait and buzzbaits still works, just like it did back then.
In the mouth of Lost Creek is a huge log jam. Its been there as long as I can remember. Back then, casting a beetle spin, rooster tail, or rapala, always fooled a few anxious largemouth bass. Even topwaters of that time, jitterbugs, pop-R’s and hula poppers, are still manufactured today, and continue to fool the huge bass scattered along this one mile plus, log jam.
Lining the banks in this area, are various weed types, washed in debris, brush piles, laying trees and logs. All refuge for the mighty Warrior, “the largemouth bass.” Some 10 pounders do exist in this impounded river and this is one spot many are fooled each summer season.
As you head downstream, from the mouth of Lost Creek, you encounter several grass filled pockets, many small islands abound with wood cover, and a series of rock bluffs in every river bend. Here is variety.
Just like many years ago you can target the weedy banks and pockets and fish a snagless sally (still in production) an in-line spinner, a frog or rat imitation, or just like years ago, a prop bait such as a baby torpedo.
The rock bluffs have first and secondary ledges, small pockets, points and a series of creeks, cuts and pockets, that all intermingle with the bluffs. Here, just like years ago, you can throw a plain old 6 inch worm (but you may have trouble finding a two hook model worm with small propellar on the front) rigged Texas style and still catch quality bass.
Added to the old reliable worm arsenal are today’s jig combos, tube baits, crayfish imitations and of course bigger, 8-10 inch model worms and lizards, fished with oversized hooks. These bottom bumping lures can be fished right up against the face of the rock bluff wall, day or night.
But today’s anglers probe just a little deeper than anglers of long ago, that just targeted the banks. The first drop-off on these bluffs and adjoining creek mouths is usually around 10 feet deep. Often, this is as deep as you need to go, to find summertime bass hanging along the current breaks found here.
But during the heat of the day, bass can be found either suspended deeper or on the bottom in water 10-20 feet deep along a secondary ledge, river or creek channel drop-off or irregular bottom feature found here. Broken off bluff banks, with huge boulders or slab rocks washed into the river channel, are excellent spots for huge schools of bass to gather in during summer.
Heavy jig combos, Carolina rigged plastics, jigging spoons, dropping heavy spinnerbaits and fishing with deep diving crankbaits, will cover the entire area fast and show the small spots these bass gather in. As you head downstream, look for the junction of the Little Warrior River and Big Warrior River at Howton’s Camp boat launch. Till next time, keep chunkin’
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:
Bass Fishing in June
In the northern states, bass fishing is just starting to get really good in the month of June. With some bass still spawning, you can still catch plenty of bass in shallow water during the month of June.
Down south, bass are already starting to set up on their summer patterns. There will still always be some bass shallow along points, secondary points and good shorelines with shallow cover, but many of the bigger fish will start to move into much deeper water. Although, many bass can still be caught shallow during the morning and evening hours, lots of bass can be found from 12 to 20 feet down during the month of June.
Down south, expect to be throwing deep-diving crankbaits, big bass jig, 10 to 11 inch worms and noisy topwater lures during the morning and evening hours. Bigger baits usually catch bigger fish during this time of year.
Up north, bass will still be feeding on mostly smaller bait fish, so you can get away with using much smaller baits and still catch some trophy bass.
Fishing Resources:
- Shop Bass Fishing
- Largemouth Bass Fishing Library
- Smallmouth Bass Fishing Library
- Top Bass Fishing Trips
Jerkbaits - Spring through Fall
Jerkbaits are gaining popularity in the bass fishing world. They are great baits that can really trigger a bass into a reaction strike. You can use them as a search bait with an erratic walk the dog retrieve and minimal pauses. You also can slow them down and use a twich and pause retrieve around cover. The pause is where bass will usually come out and hammer the bait because they think it is an injured bait fish, which is an easy meal. Jerkbaits work great for largemouth and smallmouth bass, although, I go much smaller with the lure size when I am targeting smallmouth bass.
While many anglers think of these baits as good cold water baits, they can be used from spring through fall with some very good success.
