When the air temperature begins to fall, it triggers a feeding sensation among all of our Lake's bass species. This sudden drop can lower water temperatures on Mitchell Lake into the low 50's, or even lower with severe winter cold fronts, often into the low 40's by mid winter. These largemouth bass live up to their name and feed heavily all throughout the winter months on Mitchell Lake.

End-of-the year prey (born in the earlier months of 2004) these bass now feed on, such as; threadfin shad, gizzard shad, bream, small catfish, crappie, minnows, crayfish and even smaller bass, have all reached sizable proportions by the end of the year. Anglers targeting these big, largemouth bass should always try a few oversized lures during the day.

During the early portion of December, waters have not yet cooled considerably and Mitchell Lake, situated in mid-Alabama, may still show water temperatures in the very comfortable low 50's. At this time many of both predator and prey are found in the shallows. This is when looking for bass, always involves a little looking for days with warming water.

The clue to timing your trip for success this winter, is all in the weather.  Warming trends can show air temperatures climb into the 70's. This has even taken place in late January and early February in past winter months, often triggering bass into a false spawn.

These big, wintertime largemouth bass, feed heavily, often dining every day on all of these many types of prey. They do this, often gathering in huge schools, feeding with reckless abandon with regularity. This can take place, all during winter warming trends, which are usually followed by cloudy rainy weather, then another cold front.

This constant feeding session is necessary for survival and when fattening up and putting on needed fat reserves for winter, these big oversized bass seldom stop feeding for more than a day. Feeding with regularity also prepares these big female bass for the prespawn times when they are full of eggs. This is when bedding, not particularity feeding, is on their mind. Many will go without eating for days, often weeks, when bedding or protecting the bed during Spring.

Until the mid-to-late winter months of January and February, consider most bass are feeding and they are very susceptible to your lures. Largemouth bass up to 10 pounds have been taken during past winter months on Mitchell Lake (now over 81 years since impoundment), but now days a 7-8 pounder is an average, 'big' largemouth bass. Any largemouth bass (whether its caught in one of Mitchell Lake's weekly wintertime bass tournaments or just landed by some lucky angler), one weighing more than 8 pounds, always makes the local fishing news and is rare on this lake.

I know, for the last 20 plus years I have fished every bass tournament I can on Mitchell Lake, year round in every season, and during all kinds of conditions. I rarely ever see a largemouth bass over 7 pounds, much less one that is 8 pounds or bigger. They are rare on Mitchell Lake but they do exist.

If this is the size of bass you are looking for, think big. They do like oversized offerings and like their keepsake name implies, they can hold a lot in that "big mouth" they are so famous for. Consider that a 4 pound largemouth bass (averaging about 16-18 inches in length) can eat and swallow, a big shad 7-8 inches long, about half his size. Or devour a bream, one around one pound in weight and about the size of a saucer.

Even eating a crayfish, 6-8 inches in length (some with some very menacing looking pinchers), many that look more like small lobsters, is not much of a challenge for a largemouth bass, averaging 4-5 pounds. Small snakes, rats, mice, baby ducks, turtles and even small rabbits, all that happen to plunder into the water, have been documented to have been eaten by big, largemouth bass.

So if your looking for that big, wintertime bass, Mitchell Lake has plenty of them and they do exist, and they are very catchable during the winter months. The lake is kept at full pool all winter. It has an abundance of aquatic weeds, wood cover, rocky terrain and loads of incoming feeder creeks and small streams to explore.

In addition, the lakes headwaters is dotted with rocky bluff islands, not only good habitat for big largemouth bass, but this area situated below Lay Lake dam, shows some hefty-sized Coosa River spotted bass, many in the 4-6 pound range, taken each winter.

Explore Mitchell Lake this winter and discover some of its hidden treasures. Or call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133.
"Over 40 Years Guiding on all of Alabama's Lakes, many of those memorable years spent fishing on scenic Mitchell Lake."
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com 

"Be safe this Winter an always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch."

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