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MITCHELL LAKE
Impounded 1923
By Reed Montgomery
Water Temperature: Mid-70's
Lake Level: Full Pool
Its still there, Mitchell, the small little lake on the lower Coosa River.
Often overshadowed by upper Coosa River Lakes, due to annual spring
tournaments, this small impoundment is often desolate, especially during the
week. A times, you will have the lake all to yourself during May's post spawn
times. Heading upriver is a good start for Mitchell's exciting topwater
Bassin' in late May.
Although not thought of as a springtime "hole" the lakes headwaters,
just
below upper Lay Lake Dam, can hold a variety of species of gamefish during
late May. Bass, both Coosa River Spotted Bass and some Big Largemouth's, do
bed in these lake headwaters. They recuperate and often feed at the nearby
dam discharge area when water is generated. This usually takes place on
weekdays, when electricity is in demand. Call 1-800-Lakes-11 for water
generation schedules and lake levels, provided by Alabama Power Company.
What this means to the angler is being there, just prior to the water being
released (which triggers the gamefish to feed), until water generation
subsides, or slows down. Nearby rocky banks, small isalnds, laydown trees,
weed beds and small cuts and pockets, all harbor both species of bass,
seeking refuge from the sometimes swift current. Fishing just below the dam,
can show some exciting topwater action all day from bass, stripers,
hybred-stripe and white bass, all schooling on top.
Best lures can be from top to bottom. Finding the schools of fish is the
first thing an angler must do, or just drift in the current, casting or
trolling as you go downstream. Look for shad or baitfish, skipping across the
water's surface, indicating there are fish below about to attack. Or schools
of fish tearing up the waters surface as they knock shad in the air, or even
just huge boils and isolated explosions, usually from big, isolated fish,
attacking these baitfish.
Getting a lure to these fast-feeding fish, often means having to make long
cast's, for they don't stay up on top for long. This means having to have
several lures pre-rigged and ready, lures that range from floaters on top, to
rattletraps, spinnerbaits or crankbaits, fished in mid-to-lower depths. You
will need all of em.'
Big topwater lures, such as the rather new, "Zara Super Spook" can be
heaved
long distances, for reaching a school of feeding fish within casting
distance. Poppers, prop-baits, minnow-type lures and walking baits, can all
be enticing to these fish of all species and experimenting with many
different offerings, is the ticket to finding what they want on any
particular outing.
Rattletraps of all sizes, crankbaits from shallow-to-deep divers, suspending
and floating jerkbaits, all simulate the fleeing baitfish and can often be
the ticket when they won't come to the top to hit a lure. Other lures, fished
down below or near bottom in these dam tailraces, can be spoons, rooster
tails, lead tailspinners, worms, lizards, crayfish imitations and small
finesse lures, rigged Texas-syle or Carolina-rigged. Always wear a life
jacket (and outboard motor kill switch) when navigating or fishing within 800
yards of any Alabama Lake dam tailrace, its the law.
Down the lake, those "other" bedding bass, have about done their
thing. There
are some stragglers, but by the end of the month, most bass will have left
the bed, leaving the small, newborn "fry" on their own. As new weeds
begin to
show full bloom, many bass will retreat to the oxygen-rich environment and
feed throughout the upcoming summer months.
Many fish that have bed up in small pockets, cuts, creeks and even on main
lake flats on Mitchell Lake, will hold nearby, recuperating from the spawn
and feeding on baitfish, insects and crayfish. Lures, (such as those fished
below the dam) are good in these areas, including weedless lures, fished
right up in the thickest, scummiest looking weeds available. Frogs, rats,
floating worms and soft jerkbaits all fall in this category.
Also keep in mind during late May on into June, as it gets even hotter, the
bass will seek the shade, go deeper in weedy cover, or they head out in
schools, to live and cruise among offshore ledges and drop-offs. Fishing
around piers and boathouses is now getting better to, for fooling these
shade-seeking bass.
Thick weeds should be probed within by flipping, pitching or casting lures
that will penetrate the thick, green masses. Heavy jigs, worms, lizards,
crayfish imitations and tube baits, are all good when utilizing this "Big
Bass" tactic. Look for several different varieties of aquatic weeds, all
growing near deep water. Also fish the shadiest banks during the hot, midday
hours. Its better on you and that's where you will find the most active,
shallow water bass. Practice Catch and Release, wherever you fish, your
fishing future depends on you.
This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" Radio Talk Show
WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Phone (205) 787-5133
Owner / Reeds Guide Service
"Over 30 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com |
