Like most impoundment's, winter fishing on Guntersville Lake has its ups and downs, that is for most anglers. Timing is everything. If you are able to time your trip accordingly, fishing success is inevitable this winter on this massive lake. For many anglers this is not possible. Some out-of-towners plan fishing trips to this famed impoundment, often weeks ahead, and they cannot control the weather and conditions that take place prior to their trip. But arriving at Guntersville Lake, often for some from many miles away, does not have to be a ruined trip.

First of all, calling an angler (Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133) that is on this lake every week can reveal current conditions. Heavy rains, cold fronts, and falling lake levels, can be revealed by someone that knows.

Heavy rains can ruin a shallow water game plan. The lakes headwaters and major creeks can be muddied up for days. Avoiding these muddied up places shows more time spent fishing productive spots, instead of eliminating fishless waters.

Cold fronts are always hitting the lake, usually right before your trip. Its according to how and when these cold fronts hit the lake, as to your fishing success. A cold front the day you arrive, can often turn bass on creating some great winter fishing. A cold front the day before you arrive or a few days before your planned trip, can show bright bluebird days, that always slow the shallow water bite on Guntersville Lake.

Lake levels are stable, but always down for winter, often several feet, creating hazardous boat navigation and usually meaning bass will be temporarily leaving the shallows and main lake banks for deeper water. A sudden rise in the lakes level, usually from 2-3 days of heavy rains, can suddenly swell the lake back to full pool showing bass feeding shallow. But this is always best in lightly stained to clear water conditions, usually found from the mid-to-lower lake region.

These are just a few of the negatives when fishing this winter on Guntersville Lake. On a more positive note the fishing for big largemouth bass can be great on Guntersville Lake this winter, especially during a warming trend of a few days, or immediately following a week or two warming trend. Water temperatures can suddenly rise 4-5 degrees to the upper 50's and bass will feed and fatten up prior to the next cold fronts arrival.

So always consider the conditions, when you arrive, to determine how you will fish when you do decide to visit Guntersville Lake. Cold fronts and stained water conditions can slow the bite tremendously. Adjust, make the best of your trip, and fish thoroughly and slowly. Don't expect a lot of bites under these negative conditions. But do stay cocked on ready, every cast you make, for often especially on very slow days, the bass that do bite are very big largemouth's.

Always keep in mind, despite the conditions, just like we humans, they have to eat each day. You may have to back off the original shoreline and fish water in the 5-10 foot depths, or maybe fish even deeper. Its all according to how severe the conditions are and whether the water is warming again prior to the next approaching rainy, cloudy front.

During or immediately after a cold front, always try lures fished on or near bottom. Stringy millfoil and hydrilla weeds can be frustrating when attempting to fish this lake. Texas rigs with a small a weight as possible, usually works better, especially with small worms and lizards, than when fishing with bigger more gaudy, weed-grabbing lures. Carolina rigs with a long 2-4 foot leader (to get the lure above the bottom growing weedline) can help tremendously. Also use high floating lures or add small pieces of Styrofoam to your plastic offerings, to help keep the lure floating higher in or above the thick grass.

Swimming jig combos, or slow rolling heavy spinnerbaits, fishing with deep diving crankbaits, or just ticking the tops of the weeds with suspending jerkbaits and rattletraps can also be the ticket to getting bites on slow, patient testing days on Guntersville Lake.

Or just call Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133 to see how to fish and when to be on Guntersville Lake this Winter. Several bass exceeding 10 pounds have been taken by fortunate clients during past winter trips, with Reeds Guide Service. With over 30 years experience fishing this massive lake on the Tennessee River System, near the town of Guntersville Al.

This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"Celebrating 5 Years on the Radio Jan 2004"
Sunday Morning's 9-10 A.M. Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
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