 By Reed Montgomery Spring Bass Fishing Tips for Alabama’s Lakes Featuring in-depth suggestions for fishing Alabama’s lakes during: March / Pre-Spawn Bass -- Reeds Guide Service -- ”Over Forty Years Fishing, Guiding, Exploring and Competing in Bass Tournaments on Alabama’s Lakes for All Bass Species and Striped Bass” Intro: There are actually three months during the spring season that anglers have the opportunity to find that true, trophy-sized bass. Whether or not your fishing on one of Alabama’s many, man made impoundments, or concentrating your efforts fishing in one of the dozens of state owned public lakes, or just casting your favorite lures in some smaller pond or stream, (during the entire spring season), the months of March, April and May, could just be the best three months of the entire year you can connect with that “ bass of a lifetime.“ Whether your bass fishing for largemouth bass, targeting Alabama spotted bass or seeking out a true, trophy smallmouth bass make plans now to go fishing this spring season. Commit to several well planned trips all throughout the spring season. First targeting pre-spawn bass in March, then maybe going real shallow for bass in the spawning month of April. Lastly, those hungry and very aggressive post-spawn bass in May. A bass (hopefully one exceeding ten pounds), that most anglers are seeking during the spring season, is very possible during these three months. Always keep these facts in mind; * March - Springtime pre-spawn conditions emerge as big bass move up shallow and begin to search out early season spawning grounds. * May - During the post-spawn period, as bass begin to make their move from the shallow spawning grounds, back to the security of deeper water for the upcoming summer months ahead. May is labeled “topwater time” for big, hungry post-spawn bass. While fishing all throughout Alabama during the months of March, April and May anglers should concentrate their efforts in the shallow spawning waters of our lakes. As waters heat up…so does the fishing! These three months always show some of the year’s biggest bass being taken by anglers targeting the lake’s shallow, spawning grounds. These shallow spawning grounds are found throughout the waters of all of our natural lakes, ponds, and man made impoundment’s here in Alabama. It can consist of main lake or creek flats featuring a variety of newly growing aquatic weeds, an abundance of wood cover and plenty of shallow water consisting of rock cover (both natural and man made like rip-rap rocks). This cover bass prefer can be found on any man made Alabama lake during the spring season and it just gets better as waters warm each spring. A time when “cabin fever” can finally release its grip on anglers that have been cooped up for months. Especially after a very cold winter season in Alabama. MARCH PRE-SPAWN BASS In addition one’s own well honed ability to adapt to different situations is really put to the test. Big, pre-spawn bass are on the move all throughout the entire month of March. This includes various bass species found state wide. Both male and female bass of the largemouth bass species are virtually in every lake found throughout Alabama. The famed, Alabama spotted bass species is wide spread as well and they are found in abundance in most of Alabama’s lakes. But those tackle-testing brown bass (that anglers come from all over the world to sample), known as the smallmouth bass, are usually only found in the Tennessee River System lakes. These smallmouth bass bed earlier in the spring season. Often much earlier than the two aforementioned bass species. Smallmouth bass, can often begin their trek towards the shallows for their annual ritual of spawning in the month of March. Some early season bedding brown bass are actually on the beds on or near a full moon, usually taking place around the end of March. Again, anglers need to keep in mind, most smallmouth bass are found in north Alabama lakes. * NOTE - Some lakes in Alabama are drawn down several feet for winter pool. Most lakes will remain low throughout the month of March. Use extreme caution when navigating your boat during low water times on these lakes. Most lakes are returned to full pool conditions by May. April – Spawning Bass Aquatic weeds are in full bloom in April. These oxygen-rich weeds begin to harbor baitfish as their rich green growth begins to appear. The bass immediately move in and they often find some very easy-to-catch meals hidden within these weeds. Although most bass typically bed in the month of April, there are some lakes (such as north Alabama lakes), that will still display some bedding bass in late April and often as late as early May. May – Post-Spawn Bass Lakes kept “at or near full pool” all throughout the year show much greener growth by the first week of May. These lakes will always display a much faster weed growth than other Alabama lakes that were dropped this winter season. Some lakes are drastically lowered during the winter season, displaying little or no aquatic weed growth until May. May is also a period all anglers look forward to. It is often dubbed, "topwater time" and rightfully so. Big, hungry bass act very foolish as they come off the beds often blasting a topwater lure with an astounding act of vengeance. Some bass display some very aggressive topwater strikes, as they continue to recuperate from the rigors of spawning and they feed continuously right on into the months of early summer. The weather cooperates as well during May with warm 70-80 degree days. As the rituals of spawning cease, and some mighty hungry fish roam the shallows, this is bass fishing at its best. Spring Fishing Tips Lures, fishing equipment, various fishing techniques, fishing spots and fishing information are all mentioned throughout these fishing tips. While in turn suggestions “from over 40 years experience” for fishing these lakes pertain to the many ways of fooling these spawning largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass species found scattered throughout the entire state of Alabama. * All info provided by Reed Montgomery / Owner of Reeds Guide Service for over 40 Years. * Please keep in mind, for future generations of anglers to enjoy fishing as we do, always practice C. P. R. Catch, Photo and Release. Let these bass go to give some future angler a thrill…just like you had! To live and fight again another day. About the Author; He is an accomplished bass tournament angler, with many tournament first place victories and big bass awards earned state wide, to his credit. Reed Montgomery a native of Alabama has acquired a vast knowledge of Alabama's Lakes and Rivers, being on the water from 250 to 300 days a year. He very much enjoys passing on these years of slowly acquired fishing knowledge, to the thousands of anglers seeking his help and advice on a daily basis. Anglers that either live in Alabama or anglers visiting Alabama (hailing from all over the world), have gained extensive fishing knowledge on how to fish Alabama’s varied impoundment’s during all seasons, while fishing for all bass species, with Reed Montgomery. LAKE MAPS Maps; Fishing Hotspots Maps Website; www.fishinghotspots.com Fishing Hotspots Maps are quality water proof, tear proof maps now featuring the four Alabama Lakes on the Tennessee River System Guntersville Lake, Wheeler Lake, Wilson Lake and Pickwick Lakes. Just go to the Internet. Then type in the search word, Fishing Hotspots Maps! Then find their website and see how to odder these Alabama Lake maps. Be sure to ask about certain Alabama lake maps! Tell em' Reed Montgomery sent you!
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Updated Fishing Tips Fishing Alabama • Reed's Guide Service • Reed Montgomery
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