Like any Tennessee River Impoundment Wilson Lake has its ups and downs during the cold months of winter. No, not the lake level, that remains close to full pool most of the winter. We're talking about those good days versus the bad days, when it comes to fishing success.

Many anglers come to this world renowned lake in search of a trophy smallmouth bass. One reason being, Wilson Lake once held the world record for a trophy smallmouth bass, one weighing 10 1/2 pounds. That is a very rare smallmouth bass and it was caught over 50 years ago.

Most anglers of today, even those that consistently target this brown bass species have caught only one or two smallmouth bass weighing over 6 pounds. Many anglers, some that frequently visit Wilson Lake and Pickwick Lake throughout the winter months, have yet to even reach this magical 6 pound mark.

To make it more easily understood (in terms of largemouth bass fishing) catching a smallmouth bass weighing 6 pounds or better, is the equivalent to catching a 9-10 pound largemouth bass. In other words, a bass of a life time.

Still, some professional anglers, fishing guides, and anglers that just plain fish a lot for smallmouth bass, can make it look easy with a dozen or more smallmouth bass to their credit. Those rare smallmouth bass that exceed 6 pounds.

But even for those that fish Wilson Lake with any regularity or have years of experience, it still does not come easy. They all work for every bite they get and most only see a few smallmouth bass exceeding 5 pounds for all their efforts.

So when your looking to come to Alabama's world renowned Wilson Lake and just slay em' bring along plenty of patience, for like said, "Wilson Lake does have its ups and downs." But, any angler can stack the odds in his or her favor by planning a trip to Wilson Lake when conditions are ideal for catching these smallmouth bass of a lifetime.

To begin with, when water temperatures dip into the 50's these smallmouth bass really gather in numbers to feed in the lakes headwaters, situated below the now famous tailrace waters of Wheeler Lake dam. This usually occurs in November and often gets even better on into the prespawn months of late February to March.

Not only are the lakes headwaters excellent places to begin your search, but also try mid lake humps, ridges, rock piles, submerged islands, ledges and drop-offs, along with rock bluffs and creek mouths as well. Water generation dictates smallmouth bass movement. Often, on weekends, this man made current can be non existent, or off and on throughout the day, or just one turbine running. Your chances are better for the best conditions and lots of water generation (thus more current), during the weekdays. Usually, you will have less company on weekdays than when dealing with the weekend crowd.

With heavy winter rains, the Tennessee River can become stained to muddy during winter. Many anglers arrive at Wilson Lake only to find these adverse conditions to their disappointment. This is when you hear, "they were biting last week" and a trailing cold front, accompanied by stained-to-muddy water conditions now has the fishing very slow.

Make the best of it by fishing clearer water down the lake or utilizing lures that emit noise, flash and vibration, to aid the bass in finding your offerings during these stained water conditions. This can a number of lures like deep diving crankbaits featuring internal rattles, big gaudy spinerbaits and rattling lipless lures. Or soft plastics fished on or near the lakes bottom. Small worms, lizards, crayfish imitations, jig combos, tube baits, grubs and shad imitations all work in this situation. The object is to fish very slow and expect few bites.

On the other hand, there are days when most sane anglers are at home warm by the fire. This can be a cloudy day with morning lows in the 20's and daytime highs not expected to reach 50 degrees. Very miserable for most humans. But to the smallmouth bass the lack of boats overhead, must mean its feeding time. For often on these cold, miserable days, some of the season's biggest smallmouth bass are fooled by some angler, those rare breed willing to brave the cold.

Dress warm and always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch, when fishing the often swift and dangerous tailrace waters in Wilson Lakes headwaters. Be safe this winter, the life you save may just be your own.

So when is the best time to go smallmouth bass fishing on Wilson Lake this winter? Whenever you can! Or call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133. "Over 40 years fishing Wilson Lake and other Alabama Lakes. Several boats and professional guides available, year round."

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