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NEELY HENRY LAKE
BY Reed Montgomery
Impounded 1966
Lake Level: Full Pool
Water Temperature: Mid-70's
New weeds are appearing lake wide. This is good for a lake that has seen no
weeds, since last Fall. Neely Henry's Largemouth bass set up house
immediately, especially "late spawners" bedding near this lush, green
growth.
Yes, there are late spawners in May on this and many northern lakes in
Alabama. I've seen fat, obviously female bass in the 5-6 pound range, in
years past, and even in recent weeks still full of eggs.
Even spotted bass will bed late and catching several chunky and obviously
ready to spawn females in the 3-4 pound range, is still possible with water
temps in the mid-70's and conditions now ideal for both species of these
bass, bass that spawn just a little later than others. Why? You may ask.
First of all, although we have had no severe cold fronts recently, northern
Alabama bass are the last to spawn during spring, throughout the state. When
conditions are stable, such as weeks of warm sunshine and stable lake levels
of full pool, these late spawners will spawn in water temperatures in the
mid-upper 70's.
Although we have had two full moon periods in the last 30 days, with water
temps in the low-70's both times, not all bass have mature eggs and many must
wait until its time to "deliver" a new offspring. These perfect water
temperatures and ideal conditions, can even vary from the lakes lower
regions, to the far upper end at the lakes headwaters.
Regardless, this, like last month, still means a whole lot of bass are still
in some very shallow water. Bass that are still bedding, Big, female bass
that have bed and are now recuperated and very hungry, and lots of smaller
male bass that are left guarding the bed or the newborn, "just
hatched" small
bass fry.
The new weeds hold all of these bass. Even spotted bass, cruise the weedlines
in search of food. Balls of newborn fry, always have a bass nearby, ready to
strike at a number of lures. What lures? During May on Neely Henry Lake, you
name it. Of course as labeled, May is topwater month. Very early light, shows
some Big bass that have been in the shallows all night ready to explode on a
buzzbait in 1-2 feet of water. Especially noisy, clacker-type models, always
include a trailer hook.
Big bass, looking to fill an empty belly fast, can be irritated into striking
with repeated casts to a likely looking, Big bass lair, with the now rather
new, Zara Super Spook. This bigger-than-normal lure, often intimidating to
first timers due to its size, will fool the Big bass of May looking to
"fill
up" at the next stop. I know I've made a lifetime of fishing the zara spook
since it was made of wood. Want to learn more about fishing, rigging and
"Tricks of the trade" on this fantastic lure? See more on, " Zara
Spook
Fishing Tips" at my website: www.fishingalabama.com
There are many more topwaters to fool these very shallow, weed dwelling bass
of May. Weedless spoons, frogs, rats, floating worms and soft jerkbaits,
fished right up in Neely Henry's new weed growth, will get some amazing
strikes, all throughout the day. Weed edges, isolated patches, small points,
cuts, and even holes in these weeds can be fished with spinnerbaits and other
weedless lures.
Then there's flipping, pitching and just plain casting, jigs and Texas rigged
plastics in and around weeds, wood cover, rocky banks and piers and
boathouses. This is a Big bass tactic, for bass that refuse to emerge from
their hidden hideouts and attack other conventional lures. You can probe deep
within these weeds as they get thicker each week. Or you can even cast to
deeper water that has weeds growing along points and weed edges for deeper
dwelling bass with jigs, Texas-rigged worms, lizards and crayfish imitations
or a short leader on a Carolina-rigged offering.
Deep-diving crankbaits take their share of bass this month. Many bass,
suspended off, away from the shoreline, where they have previously bedded,
can be caught by fan-casting likely areas. Rattletraps are also great search
lures during late May, along with suspending and floating jerkbaits,
spinnerbaits and even fast-swimming heavy jigs with oversized trailers.
Keep in mind, some of Neely Henry's largemouth's and spotted bass will test
any anglers patience and his tackle. Be prepared with stout equipment, strong
line and a good net man. Sharpen all hooks and check you drag, your gonna
need it. Bring a camera and release these bass, right where you caught them,
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"
Website: www.fishingalabama.com |
