 By Reed Montgomery FALL FISHING IN ALABAMA By Reed Montgomery Author Biography Reed Montgomery is owner of Reeds Guide Service based out of Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up fishing all of Alabama's Lakes and has pursued the largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass and striped bass species most of his life. Reed has intensely studied each of these freshwater fish species and their seasonal habits for over 40 years. Reed is well known for his penmanship writing fishing tips, lake reports and fishing related articles, seen throughout the south in major publications and on dozens of Internet Websites. Reed Montgomery is a 40 year veteran licensed, freshwater fishing guide. He was previously a touring bass professional angler, fishing the Bassmasters Professional Tournament Trail and FLW Outdoors Bass Tournament Trails. Reed Montgomery now fishes statewide, competing among Alabama's best bass anglers in major bass tournament trails, annual events, bass solo trails and other Alabama bass tournaments. He has dozens of statewide first place wins and countless of top ten performances. He is also known for taking the big bass award in dozens of these bass tournaments with many each year to his credit. Reed Montgomery placed 2nd in his first major bass tournament of the 2007 season on Lake Martin, Alabama. In February 2007 while competing in the FLW Outdoors Walmart Bass Fishing League Tournament Trail, besting all but one of a 200 man pro angler field and losing by one pound. In the spring of 2007 He won the Airport Marine's Solo Tournament on Logan Martin Lake. He also placed 3rd on the Warrior River Impoundment Bankhead Lake and placed 6th place on the Coosa River Impoundment Neely Henry Lake, while fishing as a team with his partner Kenny Knowles in the very popular Airport Marine Buddy Tournament Trail in 2007. This lengthy list includes past victories such as, "Angler of The Year" (four times AOY) in Alabama's Bass Solo Trail, plus (twice), Two-Day Solo Trail Classic Champion. This took place in the history of Alabama's various Bass Solo Tournament Trails, while fishing throughout Alabama's many Lakes from 1997-2007. Reed is also known for winning (and placing in the top 3 many times) in Annual Bass Tournaments, held throughout Alabama (some annual bass tournaments featuring over 500 participants), like Marks Outdoors, "The Lay Lake Tournament". He previously won The March of Dimes yearly event on Lay Lake and single handedly won the annual Shriners Buddy Bass Tournament. Reed Montgomery was previously a member of the 1992 B.A.S.S. Bass Federation Twelve Man State team. They represented Birmingham Bass Club's first year in the Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Tournament Trail, winning the Kentucky Lake Regionals State Team Championship in 1992. Fall Fishing in Alabama As summer slowly dwindleds away, rainy weather and cloudy days become more frequent. Daytime air temperatures slowly drop, nights begin to cool and a major change gradually takes place. Fall is slowly approaching. September, although labled as the beginning of the Fall season, can still be rather hot in Alabama. Relief is actually first felt, during Fall's evident cooler mornings, that traditionally occur around the middle portion to the latter part of September. As Fall progresses, October's cooler nights quickly lower the water temperature in Alabama's Lakes and Rivers. Falling water temperatures always influence bass of all species to head for the shallows, feed heavely and often gather in abundance in some very predictable locations. A bass, not matter what its size, is always ready to attack any hapless prey and grab at the oppurtunity to fatten up for the upcoming Winter. As waters cool schooling activity increases and even the wiser, much older bass, often drop their guard when feeding in a very reckless fashion. This is the time of year, when some of the biggest bass in Alabama are fooled by some very fortunant angler and September and October is only the beginning. Cooler weather and it only gets better. By November, the Fall season is well at hand. Most Lakes that are sceduled to be lowered for winter pool are stable. Water temperatures are dropping and the cooler the water gets the more these bass feed and spend more and more time in the shallows. Often during the month of November (which is actually the beginning of another early winter period), this can be when many anglers just park the boat for the year in Alabama. It can get awfull lonly on our lakes by the end of Novemeber. The many species of bass that are found throughout Alabama all show reckless abandon as waters cool even more. Even feeding heavely right on up into the early winter month of December. Often, these bass feed right on into January, especially with winter warming trends encouraging more feeding activity. Fortunantly for most of these very susceptable bass species now feeding in shallow water, there is less fishing pressure during the Fall Period. There are less anglers on the water the cooler the weather gets on most of Alabama's Lakes. Many anglers park the boat when cold weather approaches. Some simply hang up their rods, in exchange for hunting desires and watching football. For those that don't give up on bass fishing, the rewards are evident, with a chance to fool some of the year's biggest bass, still yet to come. No matter what the season cold fronts plague the bass angler. Some cold fronts are mild and barely noticeable during the early Fall season. Severe cold fronts become more evident as the Fall season progresses, suddenly dropping the night temperatures near the freezing mark. This is when many of Alabama's really big, trophy sized bass (bass in the teens), drop their guard and forage shallow for an easy-to-catch meal. For no matter what the size of a bass, no matter what bass species, or how wise or lure conditioned they have become, all bass have one thing in common, on a daily basis. They have all got to eat. Fattening up for the harder times of a harsh upcomming winter, often shows much less tempermental bass. They are much less selective in what they eat than during other seasons, such as during the spring spawn. Fall bass are more aggresive, feeding for longer periods of time than during other seasons. Some of Alabama's really big bass have the energy and drive (due to cooling water temperatures) to feed in shallow water all day, often feeding all throughout the entire Fall period. Its a cold, hard fact. The colder the weather gets, the more active these bigger bass species become. In Alabama, even during the dead of Winter, Alabama's bigger bass species can feed shallow, especially during extensive winter warming trends. So make plans to keep that boat wet this Fall and Winter season! ALABAMA'S LAKES * On the Tallapoosa River System (2 Lakes), Lake Harris and Lake Martin. ALABAMA'S FEATURED RIVER SYSTEMS *NOTE* DUE TO SUMMER DROUGHT MANY OF THESE ALABAMA LAKES ARE ALREADY DOWN FOR WINTER POOL TALLAPOOSA RIVER COOSA RIVER Further south, the Coosa River continues its trek towards lower Alabama, with three remaining Lakes usually kept at full pool year-round. * Some lakes were already down due to summer drought.* Lay Lake (Impounded 1914) is near the town of Columbiana, Al. Mitchell Lake (Impounded 1923) is near the town of Clanton and Jordan Lake (Impounded 1928) is situated just north of Montgomery, Alabama near the town of Wetumpka. TENNESSEE RIVER WARRIOR RIVER CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER / Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Reservoir) Summer drought had the lake down over 3 feet. Lake Eufaula's summer bass headed for the deep river ledges or some bass just buried up in whatever weeds that were left (or wood and rock cover), after an unseasonably very low lake. It is here both in these shallow water spots and all throughout the entire lake's many deep water spots, that most of these bass remained for the summer season. Due to the extreme daytime heat (of over 100 degrees for two weeks in mid August) and very little rain to cool things down, most bass were simply just locked into these summer holding spots. Late summer daytime heat and severe drought conditions showed most anglers struggling to even get a decent bite at midday this summer. This took place for over two months, until conditions improved for the better moving them back to the shallows or until they were caught and relocated to the nearest boat launch release site. Fall is a welcome sight this year for all of Alabama's anglers. The Fall season can show these bass slow to move into the shallows. Many bass have made their summertime homes in or near deep water and they refuse to leave the safety of deeper water with the first passing cold front of the Fall season. Actually in the south September is often as hot as the month of August and the bass only move shallow near the deeper ledges, drop-offs and flats near the deep water they occupied all summer. If the baitfish move they move. By October Lake Eufaula's waters begin to cool but one thing may or may not take place on Lake Eufaula. Falling lake levels. This lake has been down over 3 feet or more for the last two summer seasons. These summer bass have to either find thick weedy cover that still exists in the shallows or they travel out to deep creek and river channel ledges and often bunch up in some very preferred locations. The lake can be lowered even more in the fall (as much as 4-6 feet) and often dropped even lower than normal full pool levels by the end of October. November really shows a change for the better when water temperatures begin to cool into the 70's or upper 60's if the weather is really cool. This not only triggers the bass to head for the shallows to suddenly feed and fatten up like its their last meal, but the food they eat also travels into the shallows as well. Baitfish these bass fed on this past summer season have now become full grown meals by the beginning of the fall season. This sudden change in the weather is very noticeable to the angler that has suffered in the heat for the last 3-4 months. Cooler weather begins to take place around late September. This is when large, over sized meals like gizzard shad or threadfin shad are consumed daily. Fishing with large, oversized lures like big, deep diving crankbaits, rattling lipless lures like Cordell's rattling spots and rattletraps, and floating and suspending jerkbaits are all big bass tactics during the fall season. Loads of lures on bottom can fool these bass, but again big is better, for attracting Lake Eufaula's so noted trophy sized bass. Those bass exceeding the ten pound mark. Oversized worms have always fooled these glutonous bass and they still work very well today on Lake Eufaula's big largemouth bass. Try big worms (or 8 inch lizards) mostly in the 8-12 inch size or use big gaudy jig combos, plastic crayfish imitations, oversized tube baits, guady looking creature baits or one of the many other types of soft plastic creations on todays market. These are all very good lure choices, especially when targeting Lake Eufaula's bigger bass. These are very big largemouth bass, bass that may ignore smaller lures and conventional offerings that most anglers fish with. Bass that may prefer a mouth full when feeding this fall season on Lake Eufaula. Tallapoosa River / Lake Harris Since Impoundment (1983), there have been three trophy bass taken all of which weighed over 15 pounds each. Two of these very rare trophy sized bass, were weighed in at; 15 lbs. 1 oz. and another weighing 16 lbs. 2 oz. The third, the biggest live bass ever taken on record on Lake Harris, is a 16 lb. 4 oz. bass. The latter of which came very close to breaking the long-standing Alabama state record bass of 16 lbs. 7 ozs. Many years back there was one unfortunant bass, found deceased, that weighed 17.50 pounds. This turned out to be the biggest bass Lake Harris has ever yielded. All of these trophy sized bass are largemouth's and many still exist lakewide today. Some of which may even be bigger. The Tallapoosa River / Lake Martin Lake Martin has trophy sized spotted bass, largemouth bass exceeding 10 pounds and some striped bass weighing over 40 pounds have been taken in years past. Any of which any angler would be glad to do battle with. Although Lake Martin is dropped each Fall period for Winter pool, it still has lots of wood cover, rock piles, bluff banks and offshore structure for bass to relate to. This past summer due to drought, it was unseasonably down 10 feet below normal full pool levels. The wood cover in Lake Martin such as stumps, brush and trees have deterioated from lake drawdown (when exposed to the elements each winter), but plenty of cover, both natural and man-made, still exists. Anglers planting brushpiles create new cover each season. The Corps of Engineers also plants brushpiles around the first week of January and they mark them with floating buoys. Laying trees are evident with Fall's passing storms creating new cover for the bass and baitfish with each passing season. Resident-built piers, boat houses and boat ramps, are springing up every year on Lake Martin. This sprawled out Lake is located near the town of Alexander City in the mid eastern portion of Alabama. Man made cover, found lake wide, provides both bass and baitfish with security. Lake Martin can display some very clear water, especially evident from Wind Creek State Park launch at mid lake, to the Lake's lower end. This clear water clairity can slow the shallow water bite, especially on sunny, high pressure days. Clear water creates some very spooky conditions for some often hard-to-catch bass, especially in shallow water. Before the lake is dropped even lower for Winter pool, Fall rains will stain the Lake's upper portions. Heavy rains can even temporarely bring up the lakes water level. The Lake's headwaters and its major feeder creeks and incoming streams, provide various washed-in edibles for the bass to select. Just like your lures. Bass foraging in water less than 5 feet deep are a lot more susceptable to a variety of shallow water lures. These stained water areas, that receive a daily influx of sudden rain, will have bass migrating here to feed on the washed in edibles all throughout the Fall season. Variety in your lure selection can real huge rewards. The Coosa River / Weiss Lake Weiss Lake has plenty of water less than 5 feet deep for the shallow water angler to explore year round. Even with Lake drawdown during the Fall season, the bass remain in shallow water for longer periods of time. This is due to the cooling water temperatures and an evident abundance of baitfish found lakewide. If the lake is not already low from summer drought, it can be lowered several feet beginning in September on into early October. In early October, Alabama Power Company's yearly Lake drawdown is underway or at a halt. Weiss lake can be dropped 2-6 feet for Winter pool. Its all according how much rain takes place often flooding this first lake on the Coosa River System. Weiss Lake will remain low for another 6 months, its usually down until mid-April. Lake drawdown creates a much smaller lake. As waters drop the bass and the baitfish they feed on can become bunched-up in some very specific locations. This is mostly for those anglers targeting places with wood or rock cover. Aquatic grass will be gone with Lake drawdown. Shallow piers (previously situated in less than 5 feet of water), along with boat houses found in the backs of cuts, pockets, creeks and along shallow flats, will be totally dry and usually protruding high up out of the water during Winter pool. The backs of creeks on Weiss Lake and its incoming Little River and Chatuga Rivers will be all but dry and very hazardous to navigate safely after October. Always keep in mind, boat damage is possible and lives are at stake for the next 6 months, when navigating any lake during low water. Weiss Lake has its share of mishaps each Fall and Winter seasons with unaware anglers. Places you fished this Summer, will be totally different looking, when you return this Fall. So be aware and be safe in your boating. As for the fishing the bass will be more in abundance in the shallows. Flats are a big factor (year-round) on Weiss Lake when targeting these shallow water largemouth's. As the lakes water level falls, bass will bunch-up in key locations. Exposed stumps (especially those now bordering shallow-to-deep drop-offs), are excellant places to target these Fall bass. Brush piles are everywhere on Weiss Lake. Fishing guides, tournament anglers and the locals that live on the lake, all plant Christmas trees. Some anglers sink hardwoods, some pile up rocks and bricks, or some anglers even sink tire reefs and wooden pallets. This fish holding cover can be found by exploring Weiss Lake and observing whats around piers, boat houses, marinas and on main lake flats. An angler's watchful eye will reveal exposed brush and wood cover during drawdown. Some cover normally underwater at full pool, of which usually shows only a few twigs or limbs, while other man-made cover is completely out of the water, during lake drawdown. The Coosa River / Neely Henry Lake *NOTE* Due to summer drought this lake may be already down The city of Gadsden, Alabama borders Neely Henry Lake, Impounded in 1966. This is the second of six Impoundment's on the Coosa River System. Gadsden City public launch, separates the upper, more river-like Lake headwaters, from the much wider Lake downriver. During Fall, this is as good as it gets in north Alabama. Neely Henry Lake is known for its hard-fighting Coosa River Spotted bass that inhabit this cover-filled lake in the Fall. The much bigger and much shallower dweeling largemouth's (some in the 6-8 pound range) emerge, as lake waters cool in the Fall. Upriver, above Gadsden City launch, Neely Henry Lake narrows, exhibiting many small creeks and pockets for bass and baitfish to take refuge in this Fall. These predator and prey, will forage shallow in these stump filled backwaters during late September. In October lake levels begin to drop for winter pool, sending bass in these backwaters towards the security of the mouths of these creeks this Fall. Downriver on Neely Henry Lake (when the lake is down 1-3 feet), roadbeds are exposed, brushpiles are visible, and stumprows and rocky banks can be seen in the backs of small pockets, cuts and feeder creeks. This is also a time when schooling activity takes place with the lakes bass usually more evident on the lakes mid to lower end. This is due to bass and baitfish retreating to the same areas, with lake drawdown. The new Gadsden City Boat launch is now situated right between the two bridges that cross the upper lake near the town of Gadsden. The Coosa River / Logan Martin Lake *NOTE* Due to summer drought this lake may already be down. There are a lot of lakes in Alabama that undergo a lot of fishing pressure during the Spring and Summer seasons. Logan Martin Lake should be at the top of that list. Not only have the bass on this 50 mile long lake (built in 1964) been pounded by weekly tournaments for years, but when Summer arrives the weekly night tournaments begin as well. The result is hundreds of bass are transported from all over the lake, to be weighed in and then dumped at various weigh-in sites. Logan Martin Lake has survived many years of overharvest, fish relocation, bad spawns, annual lake drawdown and weekly bass tournament pressure. Recently bad evidence has surfaced, with a lake wide advisory. Don't eat the fish! Catch and release, by those that know, will help replenish the lake...if we can keep the poisons out! During Fall, fishing is as good as it gets. By October, if the lake is not already down from this past summer drought, Logan Martin Lake will be lowered down to winter pool. Usually it is down from 3-6 feet for Winter pool. This causes hazardous boat navigation, especially for the inexperienced angler. When running this lake, especially for first timers, caution is advised. Logan Martin Lake has many hidden dangers, just below the waters surface during low winter pool. Logan Martin Lake was again chosen in 2006 for FLW Outdoors World Bass Fishing Championship, as 48 anglers from all over the globe competed for a half million dollars first place payout. The Coosa River / Lay Lake When looking for, "Fall Bass Action", Lay Lake can't be beat. With a variety of wood, weeds, and rock cover, the lake boasts of a "Fisherman's Paradise" when it comes to fishing preferences. The most noted charecteristics of Lay Lake, are the miles and miles of weed-lined banks, found from dam to dam. The upper, more river-like headwaters have all but washed away any chance for this green growth, but even small tributaries, main lake banks and backwater pockets are loaded with a variety of aquatic weed growth in this upper lake region. Mid-to-downriver sections of Lay Lake have thick, matted weeds that often have year-round growth. Thin stands of weeds, scummy moss, cattails and lilly pads are dispersed throughout the lake...and so are the bass. Kept near full pool year-round, Lay Lake has attained its wood cover throughout the many years, since impoundment in 1914. It is unlike the 3 upper Coosa River lakes Weiss, Neely Henry and Logan Martin in one aspect. Lay Lake (and Mitchell Lake and Jordan Lake), are kept at full pool for Winter. This creates a much better year-round fishery, when bass are not forced to relocate each Fall with lake drawdown. Stumps still exist in many creeks, shallow backwaters and along main lake banks. Laydown trees and resident planted brushpiles hold bass in cooler months. Piers and boat houses are found lakewide and also offer the bass a permanant home around this man made cover. Offshore structure rarely gets fished on Lay Lake, due to the more attractive weed-lined banks. Often these old river ledges and drop-offs hold huge schools of bass during the Fall period, bass that go unmolested by the bank beating angler. Lay Lake was again chosen for the February, 2007 World Championship of Bass Fishing, the Bassmaster's Classic. Weigh ins, boats, fishing tackle and equipment booth displays were held at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. The Coosa River / Mitchell Lake Mitchell Lake is nestled in the scenic woods of mid Alabama. It receives very little fishing pressure in the Fall. Mitchell Lake has produced good catches of Coosa River spotted bass, largemouth bass and striped bass, since impoundment in 1923. This small lake, near the town of Clanton, rarely gets the fishing pressure of other Coosa River Lakes in cold weather. To bad. For those that have never sampled her cooling waters, are unknowingly taking their time away, for a real chance at some excellant cold weather bassin'. When waters begin to cool in early Fall the bass go on a feeding rampage. This not only goes for the noted Coosa River Spotted bass, but also the often miss-labeled lazy, largemouth bass of Mitchell Lake. Like upper Coosa River Impoundment Lay Lake, Mitchell Lake is also noted as having many types of aquatic vegetation. Weeds that are found throughout the entire lake. Small in comparison to other Alabama Lakes, Mitchell Lake is only 14 navigable miles, from dam to dam. It has 147 miles of shoreline. Mitchell Lake makes up for its diminutive size with some big time fishing. Huge numbers of spotted bass, largemouth's, striped bass and white bass are caught during Fall's cool down period. These lake headwaters, situated just below upper Lay Lake dam, feature areas attractive to all of these bass species. This upper lake region can be, "an all day fishing hole" with plenty to explore, from late September through December. The Coosa River / Jordan Lake When the leaves begin to change and the cooler night air drops the water temperature, a feeding sensation is triggered on Jordan Lake's bass. The Coosa River, "Spotted bass bite" is as noted in the Fall on Lake Jordan, as the Smallmouth bass fishing is on The Tennessee River in Northern Alabama. Fall is when the monster spots emerge, doing battle with any angler, testing both his tackle and his patience as well. The spotted bass's weight class is as significant too. Each Fall many huge spotted bass are landed, some weighing from 6-8 lbs. Their aerial acrobatics and hard pulling runs can be a very deciding factor, when it comes to even landing one of these fish-of-a-lifetime trophies. The Lake's headwaters account for many of the trophy, Coosa River Spotted bass taken each Fall season on Jordan Lake. The upper half of Jordan Lake is made up of small pockets and cuts, most of which are situated along the main lake. Most of these out-of-the-current locations hold bass and baitfish in the Fall. Visible cover still exists for bass to relate to and for anglers to target with a variety of offerings this Fall. On the main lake are weed lined banks, standing timber, blowdowns, laying logs, stumps, brush and rocky banks. This wood and weed cover is very evident and found all the way to the lakes lower end. Largemouth's prevail here in the Fall, although some spotted bass and an occasional striper are taken around these weedy banks. For less frustration, when fishing the weeds in these small pockets, cuts, main lake flats and feeder creeks, always use weedless lures. Jordan Lake's weeds are similar to Lay Lake and Mitchell Lake's aquatic weeds. Thick or thin, stringy or matted, slimy or easily fishable, these various aquatic weed types, provide anglers lots of lure choices to fish this Fall season. The Warrior River / Bankhead Lake Only 30 miles from Birmingham lies Howton's Camp, a long time landmark, located at the junction of the Big Warrior River and the Little Warrior River. These two feeder Rivers make up Bankhead Lake, Impounded in 1916. Heading up The Warrior River (northward, to the left, facing upstream of the two river junctions) leaving Howton's Camp, will take you to Lost Creek, Bluff Creek, Wolf Creek. Here you will find the Lakes headwaters. The Sipsey River coming off of Smith Lake Dam tailrace waters. Heading up the Little River (to the right as you leave Howton's Camp), you will see a few pockets and main river flats loaded with log jams, stumprows, brush piles and various weedbeds. These logjams are ever-changing, due to constant barge traffic and annual flooding. In September and October baitfish and bass stack up around aquatic weeds and around logs and other wood cover. November shows bass still feeding heavily, until Winter arrives. These ambush spots hold some of the Warrior's biggest bass, always holding around logs, brush, stumps and other wood cover. Look for the baitfish to find these big schools of Fall feeding bass. There are many places on Bankhead Lake to find bass in the Fall. Like other impoundment's, the feeder creeks attract these feeding fish as they follow the baitfish that forage up in these tributaries. The colder it gets the better the action can be. Schooling bass will be evident as waters begin to cool. Deeper, main-lake drop-offs, ledges, creek mouths, islands and rock bluffs along deep river bends, all hold schools of bass. For not all fish go shallow during Fall on Bankhead Lake. The Warrior River / Demopolis Lake Demopolis Lake, junctions with the Tombigbee River and Warrior River, about one mile above the south Alabama City of Demopolis. Here anglers have a choice of fishing up the Tombigbee River or traveling far up the Warrior River coming out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After the Lake being down 2-3 feet this Summer, Fall's inevitable rains will swell both rivers back to the lake's original full pool shoreline. Small shallow slews, dozens of feeder creeks, weed lined pockets and miles of swampy-looking backwaters, are places to target bass from September on into December. Most of these shallow backwaters will eventually show water temperatures drop into the low 50's as winter slowly approaches. This is when bass will invade these backwater sanctuaries as they forage for crayfish, or follow the baitfish that migrate here each Fall. The mouths of these backwaters will have bass that were already here for the Summer. These are resident bass that are now feeding shallow for Fall. Many schools of bass just travel back and forth among these funneled-down areas in search of food during Fall. Cool days and nights creep in showing shallow flats (that always heat up the fastest in the Spring), cooling down in the Fall. Cover abounds throughout both rivers and in these scenic backwaters. Bass utilize each piece of weed and wood cover for ambush purposes including brush, stumps, laying logs, blown-down trees and...only in South Alabama, cypress trees. As bass begin their trek from the deeper creek mouths to the far back ends of these lake backwaters, these cyprees trees are stop-offs. Cypress trees are great ambush spots for anglers to target, for there are some big bass that will temporarily occupy them this Fall. Aquatic weeds are another target for anglers to decipher in Demopolis. This Summer the lake was down 2-3 feet and aquatic weeds (now underwater) grew further from the banks of the lake. During late September and October, many types of aquatic vegetation will continue to grow, producing shade and oxygen, attracting the baitfish for security and the bass for feeding. Weeds also provide excellent ambush spots for some of the bigger largemouth bass. Some bass exceeding 10 pounds are taken each Fall season. With unseasonably mild Winters, November and December, can display new green weed growth in some weed types. Weedless model lures are best choices, for less frustration and for catching bass this Fall on Demopolis Lake. The Tennessee River / Guntersville Lake This massive impoundment in the northern part of the state is Alabama's largest reservoir. With 69,000 surface acres of generally shallow water, the lake is still noted as, "America's Best Big Bass Lake." Guntersville Lake is an anglers paradise when it comes to a diverse amount of fishing situations. Noted for a variety of aquatic weeds such as millfoil, hydrilla, lilly pads and coontail moss, Guntersville Lake offers the largemouth bass a number of hiding spots to inhibit. During Falls cool down period, the grass gets a lot of attention from trophy-seeking anglers looking to fool Guntersville's shallow water bass. Many largemouth bass exceeding 10 pounds are taken in some very shallow water each Fall. Guntersville Lake also has a lot of rock and wood cover, that gets little attention, compared to the grass that gets pounded most of the year. Rock bluffs and man made rip-rap rocks found around bridges and causeways in major feeder creeks, always deserve some exploring. These are virtually untapped areas in some places on Guntersville Lake, due to more fishing pressure in other parts of the lake around the weeds. The majority of Guntersville's largemouth bass do relate to some type of aquatic vegetation at some time during each season. As waters begin to cool down there are many ways to entice strikes from Guntersville's largemouth bass in and around these many types of aquatic weeds. During Fall most bass either bury up in some very thick weeds or suspend offshore along weed edges and around bottom irregularities. Early morning or late evening topwater bites are always possible for the shallow water angler. This is when these bass are very suseptable to your lures as they cruise the weed edges during these low light periods. As cooler water draws bass shallow and out of thick cover (especially on cloudy days), catching unwary bass becomes easier. Rainy days or periods of cloudy weather, can really turn on these shallow water bass this Fall. The Tennessee River / Wheeler Lake This is Alabama's second largest reservoir, but only by a scant 800 acres of surface water. Compared to Guntersville Lake, Wheeler's massive 68,300 surface acres is very similar, but only in size. These are still two totally different lakes on the Tennessee River system in North Alabama, especially during the Fall cool down period. Wheeler's lower lake consists of rock bluffs, small cuts and pockets, main-lake flats and some mighty impressive feeder creeks. Near the lakes lower end, near Wheeler dam, you will find Second Creek and First Creek. As you enter these small feeder creeks the cover is evident. Rip-rap around the bridge area in Second Creek always has smallmouth and largemouth bass lingering around these man made rocks during Fall. Excellant fishing for both of these bass species can be found in First Creek (which is actually the second creek coming from the dam) and along the same side of the lower lake near the dam. A little map study will also reveal two road beds in Second Creek. An underwater highway still in use, as bass migrate along this high spot and forage shallow this Fall. The Elk River on Wheeler Lake's lower end, winds far back through the hills of Northern Alabama. This scenic feeder river features scattered log jams, resident-built piers, boat houses, small feeder creeks (like Anderson Creek) and many rocky bluffs and points for bass to relate to. Lake drawdown shows these bass and baitfish really "bunch up" as they are forced to relocate to a much smaller Lake this Fall. Some big schools of bass, will feed along the river flats, attacking the wandering schools of baitfish. This traditionally takes place from late September on into December. This is when the lake level stabilizes, showing the fishing at its best, before Winter sets in. Across from The Elk River is Spring Creek. Here you will find grass, but only in September. As October and November bring lake drawdowns of 4-5 feet, this greenery will be left high and dry. There is very little stain to the water in Spring Creek, so shad look-a-like lures usually work fine, but always include a few crayfish colors, for bass dine heavily on both. Up the lake you will find several feeder creeks to explore this Fall. Mallard Creek and Fox Creek are two feeders that hold bass year round. Fall shows both of these creeks excellent for targeting smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Look for bass to relate to the weed edges as lake levels drop. Hydrilla weeds grow a little deeper than the thick matted millfoil weeds and will appear as dark spots just beneath the waters surface, usually visible in water deeper than 3 feet. From the I-65 Interstate bridge crossing at mid lake, to the lakes headwaters (below Guntersville Lake dam), you will find over 40 miles of a river-type area as the lake narrows down heading upstream. Drop-offs, ledges and creek mouths are good places to start, as you look for these nomadic bass, during Fall on Wheeler Lake. The Tennessee River / Wilson Lake The Tennessee River's smallest lake has set some big records. One long standing record was broken but not with ease. In 1950, the world record smallmouth bass, weighing 10 lbs. 8 ozs, was caught on Wilson Lake. This record held up for over 20 years before being broken in Tennessee with an 11 pound plus bronzeback. With only 15,930 acres of surface water, this minuscule lake is very small. This especially holds true when compared to upper reservoir Wheeler Lake and lower Tennessee River Impoundment Pickwick Lake, situated below Wilson Lake dam. Wilson Lake also lacks in numbers of feeder creeks, for the avid angler to explore. However, there are some small creeks that do produce numbers of decent sized fish. Town Creek, Shoal Creek, McCerman Creek and Blue Water Creek all offer piers, weeds, wood cover and rock bluffs. You wil also find loads of baitfish attempting to escape the swift current of the mighty Tennessee River in these hidden creek backwaters. When September rolls around the bass are still in a late Summer mode. Until later in the month, changes in teir moods are not likely. As Fall progresses, Northern Alabama Lakes cool down first. Wilson Lake, the smallest impoundment in these Tennessee River System waters, is situated near the town of Decatur in the North western section of the state. It can cool down the fastest. This is when water temperatures dip into the 70's and send fish on a feeding spree to fatten up for the upcoming Winter. As waters cool even more as during extreme cold fronts or after several days of cold weather, the bass are influenced to feed even more and some voracious schooling takes place. At the lakes headwaters, just below massive Wheeler Lake dam, is an area noted as some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Alabama during Fall. Downstream the residents of Pickwick Lake may argue that point. Regardless, smallmouth bass traditionally gather at Wilson Lake's headwaters each year as their travels are halted at the upper Lake Wheeler dam. Along with smallmouth bass a small population of spotted bass and largemouth bass are found here. In huge numbers are also white bass, striped bass and hybred-striped bass. The Tennessee River / Pickwick Lake Not quite as intimidating as Wheeler Lake or massive Guntersville Lake, but with 47,500 acres of surface water, Pickwick Lake still has an abundance of fishing situations for the avid angler to explore this Fall. The Lakes headwaters, just below Wilson Lake dam, are recognized as some of the best smallmouth bass waters in the south. Just like during spring these smallmouth's (and largemouth's) move shallow as the cooler days of Fall arrive. As September slowly comes to an end, the days get shorter and the nights get cooler. The water temperature drops and bass are triggered to begin their trek shallow, as they follow the baitfish and scrounge the lakes bottom for crayfish. Moving shallow this fall, a lot of fish schools will herd the baitfish together and bust them on top, schooling on into December. This is an excellent time for topwater fishing for smallmouth, largemouth and an occasional spotted bass. The lakes headwaters are also noted for its Fall schooling action, especially during October and November. Getting in on these surface explosions are some huge striped bass, hybred striped bass and the much smaller, but very aggressive white bass. At times there are literally all species of these fish congregated below Wilson Lake dam. Although many anglers come from afar just to sample the fantastic Fall fishing at Pickwick Lake's headwaters, many anglers venture downstream and find the creeks, pockets and main-lake waters just as productive. Pickwick Lake's lower end has feeder creeks such as Second Creek, Mill Creek, Cane Creek, Indian Creek, Yellow Creek, Bear Creek and some smaller areas near the main Lake, such as Short Creek and Whetstone Branch. When Alabama's "Big Bass" are on the prowl and preparing for the rituals of next year's spring spawn, anglers should be fishing for that trophy bass of a lifetime. Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! For bass and striper fishing on any lake in Alabama, year round. *NOTE* Check out fishing reports and fishing articles at www.MARKSOUTDOORS.com or see Reed Montgomery's website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com for more on fishing for all species of bass this coming Winter. When Alabama's "Big Bass" are on the prowl and preparing for the rituals of next year's spring spawn, anglers should be fishing for that trophy bass of a lifetime. Or call on Reeds Guide Service...first! For bass and striper fishing on any lake in Alabama, year round.
Go to: www.fishinghotspots.com or call 1-847-699-3000 to order these Alabama Lake maps, that recently debuted in Alabama. Tell em' Reed Montgomery sent you!
|
||||||||||||||||||
Updated Fishing Tips Fishing Alabama • Reed's Guide Service • Reed Montgomery
205-787-5133 • Birmingham, Alabama • E-mail
©2005 Copyright Fishing Alabama. All Rights Reserved
Site by Arrell Internet Services