As the trees of fall shed their brilliant colors, the dying leaves are robbed of the precious oxygen they thrived on during summer. Cool nights and shorter days contribute to this re-occurring phenomenon each season. There are many aquatic weeds in our lakes,ponds and rivers that go through this same cycle each season,as they to are robbed of oxygen when cold weather arrives. In the past our lakes were young and the aquatic vegetation was slow to spread. But over the years many lakes and rivers (that are now over 50 years old) have been invaded by a variety of weeds with a little help from both mother nature and mankind.

Plants brought into the United States such as Eurasian milfoil and hydrilla have choked out many reservoirs and rivers throughout the country. Just like the land mass of fast-growing kudzu vegetation that spread like wildfire across the southeastern states,these aquatic growing weeds have adapted to our lakes and some remain green throughout the winter months.

This holds particularly true in the south where the unpredictable growing season has some aquatic weeds green year-round. Eelgrass,water hyacinths,water lilies and other native aquatic plants can go into a dormant state of growth,even with very little oxygen content,in water temperatures well below 50 degrees. Shallow,emergent weeds can be devastated during the first few weeks of cold,upper-thirty degree nights. Some less-hardier varieties of aquatic plants such as lilly pads,bullrushes,maiden cane (and the many types of grass that resemble rice growing in paddy fields) are usually the first to go.

Definition: Viable, "Capable of living or developing under favorable conditions".

That definition says it all. As long as the conditions are favorable the aquatic weeds will grow. But there are many variables to that term. Unfavorable conditions can deliver a quick death to weeds that were green only a few days ago.

Such was the case of the needless spraying of aquatic weeds started years ago in the deep south. Lakes such as massive Guntersville lake on the Tennessee river system in Alabama became infested with milfoil and hydrilla. So choked-out in one season that locals decided to petition the government into spraying poison on the shallow-growing milfoil. Boats with huge "rakes" attached to the back were trolled in deeper water to dredge-up the deeper growing hydrilla. And as if that were not enough,the introduction of grass-eating Amur carp was tried. All to no avail.

Mother Nature did a much better job years later, with her "natural" occurrences on Guntersville lake. Floods,cleansed the lake. Sunlight was blocked with stained-to-muddy water conditions,thus retarding weed growth. These factors were combined,cleaning up what man had destroyed,killing early season weed growth and things got back to normal. Guntersville lake has made an excellant comeback and bass are starting to show in the shallow grass again. Regardless,as with other impoundments,wintertime can show many variables that will determine your fishing success.

Cold Fronts-So typical from out of the north during the early winter period,these blue norhtherners will kill most shallow growing weeds. But those weeds growing along shallow, northern banks receive a lot of sunlight. With a low winter sun in the southern skies,these waters are bathed in an "all day" sunshine. Meanwhile,being out of the current and cold northerly winds,these sanctuaries will force baitfish to migrate to these areas in search of cover and slack water. With unseasonably warm nights these secluded backwaters can remain warmer,longer,thus developing a longer growing period for any last,remaining aquatic weeds.

Monitoring Warm Water-A water surface temperature guage is a must during these times. Finding water temperatures with as little as 3-5 degrees difference than surrounding areas will show an increase in feeding activity amoung resident bass. Look for the warmest water available and areas with the greenest weeds. Keep in mind water temperatures of only a few degrees higher can show areas of increased fish activity. On lakes with falling water levels,targeting dying weeds takes on another problem.

Winter Drawdown-On a lot of our reservoirs reaching winter pool can be a slow process. Some lakes slowly drop only a few inches per week. Scedules may show a drop of only a few feet for the winter. As normally,shallow-growing weeds become "high and dry",weeds that were previously in deeper water develop a new growth. These are weeds that were previously 3-5 feet deep when the lake was at full pool. As the lake is lowered these slightly dormant weeds begin a new life.

With the lake now down 1-2 feet,these newly-rejuvinated weeds are now growing in some very shallow water. They are now a little closer to the much needed life giving sunlight. With severe drawdown,some offshore weeds (that were nearing dormancy at full pool) can now be exposed to this sunlight,that was anywhere from 1-10 feet overhead a few weeks ago. This water warming sunlight,will rejuvenate growth. These once-deep growing weeds,will continue their new growth,until colder water temperatures dictate them dying.

In some southern regions these warming trends can extend the feeding periods,thus creating some fantastic fishing for several weeks. This timable occurance usually takes place after lake levels have stabilized and warming trends have peaked. This is when baitfish invade the shallows and that wandering school of BIG bass feed one last time,before winter officially sets in. This is also when the majority of shallow growing weeds begin to die and you begin a new search for now greener,later-growing weeds.

ISOLATED WEED PATCHES-Scattered patches of weeds often go unnoticed by the bank-beating angler during this early-winter period. Main lake flats and some huge feeder creek flats can contain dozens of these inobscure grass islands. Each of these small-to-large patches of aquatic growing weeds can be full of baitfish and retreating bass. With many variences occuring within each patch of weeds,each must be throughly fished to discover its fish producing potential. Still,there are short cuts to finding the best isolated weed patches.

In some cases,the outer edges of these small,grass islands can die off first,bunching up the bass more towards the center,more thicker and greener portions of the weeds. On the other hand,if the patch of weeds has a high spot in the center,then that much shallower area will be the first to die out. This especially holds true if there is deep water nearby,or any sudden drop in the water level,or after a severe cold front has taken place.

Even after the last,dying weeds are evident,portions of the more thicker,matted-type weeds will hold the bigger,more dominant bass,that are often the last to retreat. Even dead,layed-over weeds can provide an ambush spot for bass that remain around these patches during winter. Stumps,laying logs,brush,rocks,or even a different type of weed,can enhance these BIG bass hideouts.

Correctly targeting these weed patches calls for long casts past the cover,as you slowly work the boat all the way around these grass islands. To begin with,you need to try a variety of lures from top to bottom. Then gradually work towards the shallower middle portains of the weed patches.

Keep in mind,especially with clear water conditions,these are skittish bass and stealth is of the upmost importance. To avoid spooking bass when targeting these isolated patches of weeds,run the trolling motor on low speeds and keep noises to a minimum. Besides targeting these weed patches there are other areas to explore,to find that wintertime bonanza of warm water bass.

Healthy,green weeds are not uncommon in these places,even during the dead of winter. These oxygen-producing weeds call for fishing a variety of lures in many manners and dictates some experimenting. This wintertime bonanza can also call for lures such as buzzbaits and other topwaters for some on-top winter time action. Usually the weeds near the warmest source of water (discharge area) will remain the greenest the longest. These weeds will produce cover and oxygen,holding more active bass,and usually producing more bites than the much colder spots nearby. Baitfish will migrate to these spots to avoid death in the much colder lake waters. Washed-out rocks in these current stricken discharges always call for lures that mimic crustaceans such as crayfish,for the BIG bass are always on the prowl for these higly nutritious meals during winter.

Often brush,washed-in logs and wood cover accompany these BIG bass hideouts. Fishing in and around these tough wood cover and aquatic growing weeds calls for use of heavier line and stout equipment. This also calls for utilizing lures that can be fished along the weed edges or cast (or flipped) right into the thickest portains. When allowed to drop into small holes,lanes and irregularities within these weeds,fishing with lures such as tube baits,worms,lizards,crayfish imitations or jig combos results in strikes from tight holding bass.

During these times retreating bass will now fall back and hold along deeper wood and rock cover along these drops as the last remaining vegetation dies. These are times when an angler gets the full use of his electronics as he (or she) spots hidden,underwater features,that often go unnoticed by the bank beating angler. Huge schools of BIG bass gather in these hidden underwater sanctuaries. As winter sets in most of these offshore BIG bass schools go unmolested,just waiting for the fortunate angler to discover. Often you can continue to catch several bass from these spots for weeks at a time. As it gets colder with constant cold fronts and high pressure conditions,the majority of the bass will head back to deep water weedlines.

A good depthfinder is needed to distinguish miles of dying weeds and old creek channels or ditches that run through these vast,weedy flats. Just like during the spring,when bass relate to these deeper drops en-route to the spawning grounds,retreating bass will now fall back and hold along deeper weed lines and relate back to wood and rock cover. As temperatures fall and the vegetation dies schools of BIG bass can bunch up in these deep water refuges.

Anytime you are on a lake with weeds,whether they are emergent or submerged weeds,look for the thickest,greenest weeds available. Learn to spot these hidden bass hideouts as you cruise the lake and as you are trolling around the banks fishing. Submerged weeds can be found with deep-diving crankbaits. The greener the weeds are that come in on your lures treble hooks-dictates you are in the right area.

Lake drawdowns or falling water levels often shifts bass and bass anglers back to wood and rock cover,very few anglers think about weeds until next spring. This is when offshore submerged weeds can reveal a private honey hole that can last all winter. Even when the majority of the lakes weeds are dead,many bass still relate to them for cover and ambush areas. Although low in oxygen,bass use these brown and decayed weeds for stop-offs or holding spots usually out of the current along nearby deeper drop-offs.

So keep these weed fishing tips in mind when the mercury plunges. When wintertime anglers cruise the shallows and are forced to adjust to the cooling water temperatures and go in search of greener pastures. For consistant wintertime action head for the greenest patch of weeds available...just like the bass!

Article provided by Reed Montgomery / REED'S GUIDE SERVICE / Birmingham,Alabama (205)787-5133

"Over 30 years fishing all of Alabama's lakes and rivers for bass and stripers"