Looking back on past trips to Logan Martin Lake during Winter, I can recall many outings catching some big largemouth bass and those fat, chunky, tackle-testing Coosa River spotted bass as well.

Of course like any winter fishing excursion, there were those days (usually following a 20 degree morning with bright, bluebird skies and very windy conditions), when I wondered about my sanity and why I even went to the lake on that cold, miserable day.

Relief was always near, as I usually stood looking down at a big wintertime bass, laying in the bottom of the boat, by the days end...even on those cold, miserable days. Those are the bass you really work for.

Planning your trip accordingly, like during or following a winter warming trend, can show much more active bass of both species, more comfortable weather, ideal fishing conditions and generally just better fishing for numbers of bass and a few big ones as well.

Its no secret, that during the dead of winter when bass are generally dormant in cold, 50 degree water, that they can really perk up when the water temperature soars into the upper 50's, especially following a week or two warming trend.

I've seen some very cold, wintertime days on Logan Martin Lake in the last 40 plus years of exploring her 50 plus miles of water. Days when the water temperature and the air temperature were both in the mid-to-upper 40's and you could not get a bite, unless you worked your lures very, very slowly, usually along the lakes bottom. Often, some of the winter's biggest bass on Logan Martin Lake feed on these days and they can be enticed to bite, but bites are few.

Then suddenly, a two week warming trend occurred with several consecutive days in the 70's. This brought some big, hungry bass into the warm shallow water, as water temperatures reached the upper 50's. This warming trend also brought both largemouth bass and spotted bass to the waters surface as they chased a well placed topwater lure, spinnerbait, jerk bait, rattletrap or shallow running crankbait. All lures that cover water fast and generally thought of as springtime lures. So as you see, timing can mean everything in terms of "fishing success" on Logan Martin Lake this Winter.

A few more facts to consider, when fishing for bass this winter on Logan Martin Lake;

For one, Winter rains. These often heavy Winter rains can actually bring up the lake 3-4 feet, back to normal full pool stage, but only temporarily.  The lakes headwaters will be high and muddy for at least a week following 4-5 inches of 2-3 days rain. Basically, this is the upper 25 miles of the lake, from Interstate 20 crossing at midlake, to the lake's headwaters, situated below the tailrace waters of Neely Henry Lake dam upstream.

Avoid this upper lake region during muddy water conditions and concentrate your efforts from the lake's half way point, at the Interstate 20 crossing to the lower Logan Martin Lake dam.

Another very important fact to consider;

Baitfish and crayfish. Find these wintertime prey (both high on the predator bass menu) and you will find the fish. Threadfin and Gizzard Shad, Bream and minnows all fall in the baitfish category and all can voraciously be dined on by these huge schools of wintertime bass, especially when both are bunched up in likely locations during winter.

Eddy areas, those found behind main lake points, out of the swift current following these winter rains, are dependable wintertime feeding spots. In or around the mouths of small coves or pockets, near these eddy areas, are excellent places to begin your search. Look for evident baitfish activity and fish feeding on the water's surface and always choose your lures according to water clarity and water temperature. Match your lures with the size of the evident baitfish seen.

Crayfish, unknown to many anglers, are eaten in huge numbers by bass during winter. They are slow, bottom crawling easy-to-catch prey as their metabolism is slowed by the cold water. Crayfish are high in nutrition and help put on needed fat reserves winter fish need...and the bass seem to know it.

Finding places with lots of rocks or boulders, man made rip-rap rocks around bridges, dams and causeways, block seawalls, and rock bluffs will assure crayfish around. Even red clay banks and stump rows all harbor huge concentrations of crayfish during winter on Logan Martin Lake.

Fishing for bass feeding on either of these prey this winter season, simply means utilizing lures that look like or mimic either a baitfish or a crayfish. Choose your lure colors according to water clarity, work them according to the amount of current and choose the depth your fishing with the available conditions in mind. Also consider lure size, color and action. A very small crayfish imitation, fished on a jig head or Texas-rigged, will catch numbers of small bass and occasionally a big bass, looking for a small easy-to-catch meal. Big gaudy, crankbaits or oversized jig combos can attract the bigger bass bite, but in terms of numbers of bass, bigger offerings sacrifice the smaller, bass bite.

Another important consideration, very important to your fishing success (and possibly saving your life or preventing boat and motor damage), is low water during winter on Logan Martin Lake. The lower the water, the more concentrated the fish will be, but the more dangerous it is to safely navigate the lake. Generally the lake is down 2-4 feet till April. This can change, with lake levels as low as 6 feet down, during past winter's. Use extreme caution when navigating Logan Martin Lake during winter pool and always wear your life jacket and kill switch.

CALL 1-800-LAKES-11 FOR LAKE LEVEL AND WATER GENERATION SCEDULES. NORMAL FULL POOL LEVEL IS 465.0

There are many things to consider when planning a fishing trip to Logan Martin Lake, despite the season. These are just a few. Another consideration, very important to determine your fishing success, is hiring a guide on this (or any) Alabama Lake. A professional guide that has made a living at it for over 40 years, a guide that has references, and generally a guide with dozens of years experience guiding and lots of bass catching knowledge, available year round.

As owner of Reeds Guide Service, "Logan Martin Lake's Oldest Professional Guide Service" I have been guiding on this lake for over 30 years. Full days fishing, discount trips, several boats and professional guides available year round for multiple parties and corporate trips, catering to both the pro and the novice angler.
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

Thanks, be safe this winter...

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"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com