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Winter Bass
Fishing on Weiss Lake By Reed Montgomery
Alabama Discussion Board!
NEW Weiss Lake
Summer Fishing Tips
By Reed Montgomery
|
Report Updated
June 19, 2008
LAKE WEISS IS AT .89 FEET BELOW FULL POOL STAINED AND 81 DEGREES
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore
structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama !
For more info contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com
Bass fishing is Good and most Bass are starting to show up in deeper
water under docks with at least 6 feet of water and on secondary points
and main lake points, some fish are also starting to be caught on the
creek and river channel in 8-12 feet of water on crank baits and spinner
baits.
Crappie fishing is poor and a few fish are being caught on the river
ledges in 12-18 feet of water bumping bottom with minnows and Jiffy Jigs
on the ledges of the old Coosa River channel. Fair numbers of fish are
being caught shooting docks with the new chenille Jiffy Jig made for a
slow fall for shooting docks www.jiffyjigs.com, look for older, bigger
docks that make a lot of shade and the ones that have brush under and
around them are always good.
Striper fishing is good and the Stripers are on the river channel ledges
in 20-40 feet of water. Places where the channel drops very steep, like
the outside of turns of the river are always goods spots to find
stripers. The upper and lower points where creek and river channels
intersect are also great spots to catch these fish.
Look for the shad on the edges or in the flats near the river channel. A
live shad down lined on a # 2 treble hook with a 3/4 ounce weight at
10-14 feet deep is the preferred method, but do not forget to put out a
free line behind the boat to catch the shallower fish. The Cave Hole and
Little Spring Creek are producing some stripers also.
Catfish are biting Great. Catfish are being caught all over the lake.
Jug fishing the deeper flats near the river channel with cut shad is the
most productive method.
Report Updated April 7, 2008
Crappies are really starting to move shallow on Weiss now that we
have had some warmer weather. Trolling 1/32 ounce jig heads with
Southern Pro Hot Grubs is working great. Target shallow bays and
spawning flats close to the river channel for good results. Bays on
the lower and the upper Coosa is producing good stringers of
crappie. Water temp today was 62 degree's so the spring spawn is
about to go full speed ahead. Colors that are working good right now
are Orange Crush, Wally World, Acid Rain and Black/Blue Chartreuse.
Weiss is right at full pool now but you need to still use caution
while boating there have already been a few lower units left laying
in the bottom of the lake. Here is a photo with clients Harlan and
Pam Waltz from Rockville Indiana we had a good day today 04/02/08
with 51 keeper crappie with 65+ total caught.
Report By Reed Montgomery
Fall Report / Winter Report /
Spring / Summer Report
Summer on Weiss Lake
Mid May on Weiss Lake showed bass in a post spawn period. It continues
on into early summer as well. An excellent time for targeting big bass
in shallow water. Early summer is also a time for changes. Weiss lake
was returned to full pool this past spring season, after being lowered
for winter pool, as low as 6 feet below normal full pool levels (Full
pool is 564.0), this past winter season. It was unseasonably low this
past summer season due to drought.
* If interested in Weiss Lake's current lake level and daily water
generation schedules call 1-800-lakes-11 and then press #2 for Coosa
River lakes.
The rising lake levels this past spring (currently back to full pool)
was a welcome sight, especially for boaters that frequent Weiss lake.
Many of which were just getting their boats out due to low water dangers
keeping them shore bound. Or for some anglers / boaters just getting
their boats out of winter storage, spring meant biting fish. In some
cases, some wintertime anglers...were just getting their boat out of the
fiberglass repair shop.
* This is a very dangerous lake for navigating when it is below normal,
full pool level. So if another drought occurs this summer be careful
when navigating Weiss Lake during this low water period.
When Weiss was down (until about late April) something occurred (now
hidden underwater) many anglers fail to think about now. Aquatic weeds
now seen along the lakes shorelines, began growing in early spring along
low lake level banks. When the lake was returned to full pool, it rose
several feet covering this now hidden, underwater aquatic weed line.
So as summer progresses, not only do the weeds growing along the lakes
shoreline grow thick, in a very visible appearance, but so do the hidden
underwater weeds, that continue to flourish in the summer sun, often
growing far out from the visible weed lines. Also keep in mind, these
are deep water weeds, where big, summertime bass lay in wait for
unsuspecting prey. Deep weeds are always places where Big Bass are more
comfortable and less hindered by passing anglers.
* So keep this in mind this summer; Always probe your lures out from the
more visible weeds found along Weiss lakes shorelines. The lake's
shorelines are places everybody fishes.
As summer progresses the bass you were fooling (when air temps were more
tolerable in the spring) on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and
loads of lures fished on bottom, will still bite. Only be prepared for
less numerous bites on those 90 plus degree days. Bright, bluebird days
are always tough conditions for fishing. So to remedy this problem some
anglers fish deeper water, or some anglers continue fishing the same
places they caught them in this past spring season, where there are
still plenty of shallow, summertime bass as well.
* There are always some bass shallow and some bass deep. Its just in
some seasons, you can find them really bunched up in both shallow and
deep water, like during summer.
Although Weiss lake's bass have plenty of food choices on the menu when
it comes to eating and dining in the lakes shallow, weedy waters (found
lake wide), they do have to rest at times. Often, deep offshore bass
(although numbering in the dozens), may not be feeding. But any bass can
be made to strike a well presented lure! So if given the choice some
anglers will fish deep or some will fish shallow. Others choose night
fishing and they do both. Even at night bass are found both in both
shallow water and in deep water.
So successful, summertime bass fishing on Weiss Lake can come down to
various lure choices for; shallow daytime fishing, deep daytime fishing,
shallow nighttime fishing or deep nighttime fishing. Too many choices to
list for now. But like most anglers, I like to fish shallow during the
summer months, if given a choice. So here's some of my choices for lures
fished in shallow water, this summer season on Weiss Lake.
Daytime Fishing in Shallow Water
Weiss Lake has miles and miles of aquatic weeds, various types of brush,
laydown trees, logs, stumps and other wood cover, and loads of man made
rip-rap lined rocky banks, boulders, rock bluffs and rocky, irregular
bottom features, including plenty of man made attractions like bridges,
culverts, causeways, dams (Weiss has two dams) piers, boat houses and
marinas - Weiss lakes bass have no reason to leave shallow water.
In and around all this "prey and predator attracting cover" are the many
meals these bass dine on. These bass are constantly attacking a variety
of meals ranging from top to bottom! So tailoring your lures to imitate
or "mimic" these potential meals and get in their face in the strike
zone, is what it takes to actually get those big bass bites! Then you
have got to land them and get them in the boat! So lets start with small
lures.
Highly pressured fishing areas, clearer than normal water clarity, or
small baitfish in one particular spot, may call for downsizing your
lures. Many anglers have solved this problem by finesse fishing with
either small lightweight jig heads adorned with various types of
plastics, or small Texas-rigged worms, creature baits and lizards,
Carolina-rigged worms, or drop-shot rigged worms, all of which work in
both shallow and deep water situations on Weiss lake.
Tube baits and jig combos, when downsized, often get bites other more
gaudy type lures fail to produce. Even very small grubs, small shad
imitations, small plastic crayfish and other miniscule plastics can
trigger bites during these tough, summertime conditions. Slow sinking
plastics like Zoom's trick worms, Gary Yamamoto's Senkos and Berkely
"Gulp" line of lures can be deadly on slow reacting summertime bass in
and around the shallows.
By now most anglers know when fishing with small lures comes the use of
lighter line, more compact rod and reels or the use of smaller
equipment. Getting a hook straightened out or your line broken can be
avoided. Adjusting your reels drag, using sharp hooks and playing the
bass will help tremendously in your landing these huge summertime bass
of Weiss lake, when fishing with light tackle outfits.
On the other hand, when targeting Weiss lake's shallow water bass this
summer season, bigger can be better. This means bigger lures, stronger
line and the use of heavy, rod and reel outfits. Fishing in and around
Weiss lakes weeds, wood cover and rock cover calls for the use of such
equipment...that is in some situations, if you want to land the bass!
Fishing shallow growing aquatic weeds on Weiss lake always calls for the
use of weedless lures.
As summer progresses so does the weed growth of Weiss lakes many
different types of aquatic weeds, getting greener and thicker every
week. In and around these weeds are meals of all sizes, shapes and
colors. Listing every lure type, name brand, lure color, lure size and
lure action needed could be endless. So the basics will do for now.
Deciphering Weiss lakes weeds dictates your lure choice. Are they real
thick weeds, thin sparse weeds, weeds in patches or real scummy looking
weeds? Two lures that go over and through all of these types of weeds
are frogs or rat imitations. You can fish them right through the
thickest weeds, right in the nastiest, scummiest stuff imaginable. Or
they can be made to hop around weeds, along weedy banks, weedy points
and patches of weeds or hopped right on top of thick, matted weeds.
There are two upturned hooks on most hollow bodied frogs, most are
adorned with trailing legs or a skirt. Or you can fish with solid
rubber-bodied frogs featuring one big, upturned hook. You can swim them
with a slow steady retrieve with some frogs displaying a sound similar
to that of a buzzbait. Or you can hop them with short hops, stopping
these frogs and rats on cover like Lilly pads or patches of weeds. You
can actually determine how the bass really want them, on each occasion,
by experimenting with various retrieves.
Fishing with frogs and rats gets explosive results and these lures are
not for the faint hearted. Most anglers react to unexpected blow-ups by
jerking back on the rod at the first sound of this explosion, often
missing the bass. Others use to light of a line or the in correct rod
for horsing these big bass out of thick aquatic weeds, often resulting
in lost bass, broken line, broken rods or a broken heart.
Like a lot of topwater strikes, after the initial explosion, you must
wait until you feel the bass, see the lure disappear or in some cases
when your partner says, "set the hook'! Sharpen all hooks, retie your
lures often and pay close attention on every cast, when fishing with
frog and rat imitations.
Other lures for these weed dwelling bass are many. One lure always comes
to mind for irritating big bass in and around these aquatic weeds is the
buzzbait. You have heard the expression, "it must be something in the
water"! Well, when a buzzbait is in the water a bass knows it and it can
generate some of the most explosive strikes, when retrieved with a slow
steady retrieve along weed lines, through small weedy lanes, weed
openings and along weedy points.
Always throw your lures past your intended target. This is especially
true when fishing buzzbaits around isolated targets such as stumps,
brush or trees. Cast them far past small, weed patches and then bring
them down both sides and in the weeds. Even retrieve your irritating
buzzbaits right down the middle of thin weed patches, several times if
possible. The same goes for fishing weedy points, thin weeds and weeds
mixed in with rock or wood cover. Never make just one cast to cover with
a buzzbait.
This is usually what it takes to irritate them into striking, that is if
they do not explode on this big bass lure on the first cast.
Experimenting with various retrieves, different retrieve angles and a
variety of different types of buzzbaits, maybe even trying different
sizes of buzzbaits, may be what it takes to generate strikes. Missed
strikes can be avoided by attaching a trailer hook to your buzzbaits.
Always have a follow up lure ready to cast back to the spot where the
bass missed the buzzbait, for missed bass, that refuse to hit the
buzzbait a second time.
Fishing suggestions for Weiss lakes weeds, wood cover and even rock
bluffs could not go without mentioning spinnerbaits. They work in all
situations and spinnerbaits fool big bass year round on Weiss lake.
Clear water may call for downsizing your spinnerbaits and even the lures
trailers. More natural colors on both the skirt and its trailer may fool
bass that avoid bigger, more gaudy-type spinnerbaits. Encountering any
dirty water or heavily stained water, calls for using bigger
spinnerbaits with bigger blades and big trailers.
These are just a few suggestions for fishing Weiss lakes shallow water
this summer. Develop a few of your own and discover a lake loaded with
largemouth bass, spotted bass and an
occasional striped bass. Or call on Reeds Guide Service. " Over 40 Years
Fishing all of Alabama's Lakes "
Lake level (Late Feb) 3 feet down (Usually Full pool by
mid April.)
Water Temperature (Late Feb) mid-50's
Water Temps / March mid-60's
Water Temps / April-May mid-to-upper 70's
SPRING ON WEISS LAKE
Like most Alabama impoundments Weiss lake has been down mostly due to
drought. Although traditionally the lake is lowered each fall season for
winter pool, it was already down for summer and fall of last year. If we
continue to get rain (like seen earlier this year), the lake should be
returned to full pool by mid April. Each month during the spawning
season the lake and its inhabitants such as the Coosa River spotted bass
and largemouth bass go through some changes.
March / Pre spawn Bass
Like many lakes in Alabama Weiss lake will still be down from 3-5 feet
below normal, full pool levels until mid April. March is the time for
prespawn bass to begin their travels towards shallow water spawning
grounds. Upper Weiss lake can be downright muddy from the heavy rains of
March, creating a run-off or stained-to-muddy water look coming out of
Georgia, Weiss lakes Coosa River headwaters.
Not only can heavy rain muddy the lakes headwaters, but Weiss lakes
major feeder creeks can become downright muddy as well during the early
spring season. Even Weiss lakes two major river systems, the Chatooga
River and the Little River, that meet at mid lake, can be affected by
this constant rain run-off. Of these two rivers the Little River System
always clears up first. So keep this is mind if fishing these areas for
bass in early spring. Or you can head down the lake for more clearer
water conditions.
Although March can display a very heavily stained look to the water
clarity, its a sure fact that Weiss lake's upriver flats and its many
small cuts and pockets, places that feature off colored water, does heat
up a lot faster than deep, clear water - like seen on the mid to lower
lake. So if you are fishing either portion of the lake, a switch to
another boat launch or a ride up or down the lake, can prove to be a
very good game plan during these adverse conditions.
During March a search for these bass along main lake points, around
islands, rock bluffs, flats, rip-rap lined rocky banks and around
bridges and causeways are places to explore. Drop-offs, ledges and even
fishing submerged ridges, humps and sand bars are other attractive spots
for Weiss lake's big, prespawn bass.
By the end of March most spotted bass and largemouth bass can be found
shallow, or very near shallow water, usually they are in less than 5
feet of water, getting ready to find a mate and beginning their bed
making duties. This means these bass are very susceptible to a whole
range of lures, those fished from top to bottom. As waters warm close to
70 degrees, these male and female bass will move towards the shallow
spawning grounds in early April.
April / Spawning Bass
By April many changes take place on Weiss Lake. For one, the lake should
be on the rise and by mid-to-late April it can be back to full pool. As
lake levels rise, so do the bass, right into very shallow water ranging
from 1-2 feet deep. Water temperature is very important for the spawn.
So is the moon faze. Usually around the full moon of March or even as
late as April's full moon, the majority of Weiss lake's bass will be
bedding. Its all according to the weather.
Although weather conditions stabilize in April and the weather always
gets better as May approaches, cold fronts can stall the spawning
activities of these bass. Water temperatures have to be around 70-72
degrees and stable and the lake level stable as well. Weather conditions
warming each day, will show beds in the shallows and most male and
female bass bedding.
April also shows new aquatic weed growth in the shallows of Weiss lake.
Early April these new growing weeds are thin and sparse in some areas.
But the adept anglers concentrating their efforts while fishing around
the greenest weeds available, can often get in on an early spring, "big
bass bite" that other anglers fail to discover. Look for the clearest
water, the warmest water and above all the most baitfish infested waters
available, around any new growing aquatic weeds for consistent success.
May / Post Spawn Bass
Topwater time! Yes, its been said May is an excellent time to be fishing
Weiss lake with lures retrieved across the waters surface. Post spawn
bass can get very hungry after the rigors of the spring spawn. Some of
these bass have not eaten in weeks and they will blast an obvious, easy
looking meal struggling on the waters surface. Topwater lures like
buzzbaits, walking type topwaters like zara spooks and popping topwaters
or prop bait lures, can get the job done. Spinnerbaits are excellent
shallow water lures in and around wood and weed cover.
So as you can see there is actually three phases for targeting these
bass of spring. Prespawn bass are predictable and can bunch up in the
aforementioned areas. Spawning bass can be tough to get to bite, but
keep in mind, not all bass bed at the same time. Post spawn bass can be
anywhere as waters begin to warm and they start hanging around shady
places like piers and boat houses. They also seek out current in the
backs of creeks on the main lake and in the lakes headwaters just before
summer sets in
Thanks and Good Fishin'
Winter Report for Weiss Lake
Lake level: down (winter pool) 5 feet
Weiss Lake is the first of six impoundments on Alabama's Coosa River
System. Its headwaters (the origin of the Coosa River System) begin in
the northwest section of Georgia. The lower portion of Weiss Lake has
two dams. Weiss Lake dam and the lakes power pool dam both drain the
lake into Neely Henry Lake downstream. Weiss Lake is a huge, 30,200 acre
lake with over 447 miles of shoreline. From the lakes headwaters at the
Georgia state line to Weiss Lake dam is 34 nautical miles. The lake is
47 years old.
Anglers visiting Weiss lake have three species of bass to target.
Largemouth bass, many of which weigh over 10 pounds have been taken in
recent years. It is not uncommon in the spring to see it take 5 bass
weighing over 20 pounds to win any major bass tournament. Weiss Lake
also has a good population of Coosa River spotted bass, a fighting
adversary in any anglers book. Striped bass, many weighing in excess of
30 pounds have been taken on Weiss Lake recently. Weiss Lake is also
herald as the " Crappie Capitol of the World," and most anglers will
agree after a trip to the lake to sample some of its fine paper mouth
crappie. Some crappie weighing over 4 pounds have been taken in recent
years.
Drought this past summer season showed Weiss Lake displaying lower lake
levels than ever been in summer's past. This low water lake level has
now existed since late spring, drastically slowing the lakes aquatic
weed growth, some weeds of which just withered and died in the 100
degree hot, summer sun. Even during the fall season very little rain
showed the lake still down several feet and little or no weed growth.
Like any Alabama lake that displays lower than normal lake levels,
navigation can be very hazardous for boaters. With the lake currently
down 5 feet extreme caution should be exercised especially when
navigating away from the well marked river channel or the lakes many
creek channels. The lake has a lot of stumps left here during
impoundment, including other wood debris such as laying trees or
floating logs. It also has rock piles, most of which are normally
submerged during full pool, but now visible or a boating hazard, just
beneath the waters surface.
Traditionally, during the winter season most anglers targeting the
lake's largemouth and spotted bass species avoid fishing the lakes
headwaters. With good reason too. The lakes headwaters can display clear
to lightly stained water clarity one day and be downright muddy, often
just a few days later following winter's heavy rains. Current is
increased in these narrow, lake headwaters and winter's very cold days
and nights can drop the water temperatures into the 40's. Cold, muddy
water is the worst condition an angler can face during the winter
months.
Again, there is boat navigation. There have been many boats damaged and
lower units on outboard motors destroyed by inexperienced anglers
attempting to navigate these lake headwaters during low water
conditions. So to avoid these mishaps and many other problems associated
with fishing or navigating Weiss lakes headwaters, most anglers just
stick with fishing and learning to navigate the boat in the lakes mid to
lower portion.
Fishing Weiss lakes mid to lower section during the winter months
involves many tactics, various types of lures, precise lure
presentations and having plenty of fishing holes located near deep
water. Spring creek and Cowan creek, both of which are situated in
Yancey's bend just above the Hwy. 68 causeway crossing are good places
to target throughout the winter months for both largemouth bass and
spotted bass. The mouths of both of these creeks have deep water
drop-offs, the points leading into these creeks are lined with stumps
and this area in a main river channel bend always displays plenty of
washed in wood debris. There are resident planted brush piles under
piers, out in front of piers and along creek flats and main lake flats,
all of which are now visible with the lake down 5 feet for winter pool.
Stained water in this portion of the lake heats up faster than the much
clearer water found downstream. This means much more active bass in
shallow water during the midday to late evening period. Just below the
Hwy. 68 crossing at mid lake there are two rivers that feed Weiss lake.
Both of these rivers are a main influx of incoming waters, but these are
two totally different feeder rivers during the winter months.
If your looking for big, largemouth bass, generally stained water
conditions, plenty of wood cover and warmer water during the winter
months - then the Chattooga River may be your choice. The mouth of the
Chattooga River joins the Little River on the main lake near massive,
Hog Island. Then the Chattooga River twists and turns along a marked
main channel bordering a river flat, before it narrows down, flowing
under a new Hwy. 68 bridge lined with rip-rap rocks. This bridge is
another portion of Hwy 68 coming north out of the nearby town of Cedar
Bluff.
From this Hwy. 68 bridge crossing keeping the boat at idle speed and
your motor trimmed up is highly suggested. Study your map and proceed
with caution. From here on up in the Chattooga River (that runs another
3-4 miles with a twisting and turning river channel), are still good,
wintertime depths of 10 feet deep or deeper. Some deep winter holes,
even with the lake down 5 feet, can often show more than one big bass
taking up residence here for winter. You will see marked, PVC poles,
wooden stakes or even steel re-barb protruding from the waters surface,
showing marked underwater stumps and river channel edges. There are also
deep outside river bends, and plenty of wood cover such as laying logs,
log jams, trees and resident planted brush piles for anglers to probe
for largemouth bass all throughout the winter season.
Another main lake feeder at mid lake is the Little River. It is totally
different than the shallow, wood laden waters of the Chattooga River.
For one thing, its water clarity. With this past summer's drought, not
much rain during the fall season, and then little rain during the early
winter months, this portion of the lake has become quite clear. Besides
normally, clear water conditions during the winter months, the Little
River is a cool, flowing river generally displaying colder water than
the incoming Chattooga River or the main lake itself.
But these can be good, wintertime conditions for anglers seeking those
trophy sized spotted bass and some big, striped bass. The Little River
joins the Chattooga River just behind Hog Island. Navigating a marked
river channel, you will see a twisting and turning Little River channel
that lines a rocky, bluff type bank. From here on up another mile or so
is a stump lined flat with laying logs, trees and stumps and a few piers
close to deep water. Rock bluffs are clearly visible (as you idle your
boat) in the far back end of the Little River flats. These bluffs are
the last deep water in the Little River area during low winter pool.
Besides the lake's headwaters, incoming feeder creeks and these two
feeder rivers... there are still plenty more places for bass anglers to
explore on the Weiss Lake this winter season.
But always keep in mind, even with the lakes deepest water available on
the lower lake region, navigating the boat with caution is advised.
Rip-rap rocks are found all along Weiss Lakes main lake bridges, its
many rock lined causeways and all along the lakes lower dams. These
rocks heat up during the sunny, winter days and they can hold bass of
all species all throughout the winter months. The lakes power pool is
like a small lake all in itself. During winter warming trends, several
consecutive warm days and nights can show this water heat up fast,
creating some fast, but short time wintertime bass action.
Want to learn more about fishing and navigating Weiss Lake this winter
season? Or fishing any other Alabama lake? Always call on Reeds Guide
Service...first!
" Over forty years guiding and exploring every lake in Alabama." Several
boats and qualified guides available year round for multiple parties and
corporate guided trips to any lake in Alabama.Tournament anglers
welcome.
WEISS
LAKE
Weiss Lake Fall Fishing Tips
Normally, you will be hearing about the lowering of Weiss Lake for
winter pool as fall approaches. But just like last year at this time,
another summer season drought had the lake already down for winter pool.
Weiss Lake was unseasonably low this past summer season. Just how low?
Mid August showed the lake down five feet. This set some summertime low
water records, for never has this lake been this low during the summer
season. So how has this changed the bass fishing during the fall period?
Tremendously.
In the past under normal, full pool, early fall conditions these Weiss
Lake bass are usually heading for the weedy shallows of this lake.
Usually, these bass have related to shallow water aquatic weeds, wood
cover and rock cover all summer long. They have buried up in the ever
growing weeds all summer long and many bass refuse to leave the security
of their oxygen rich aquatic weed homes, even as the lakes waters begin
to cool.
So like the bass (looking for an easy meal), bass anglers too have to
eliminate the aquatic weeds in their search for this ever elusive
quarry. This means targeting places they hang around otherwise. For no
matter what the conditions these bass have got to eat.
Weiss Lakes Headwaters
The Lakes headwaters begins the slow meandering journey of this first of
six lakes situated on the Coosa River System. Weiss Lake was impounded
in 1961 backing up the waters of the original Coosa River System. Places
like Mcgee bend, Fosters bend and Morton bend are actually located in
the lakes headwaters, that stretch far into northwestern Georgia. So are
some of the lakes major feeder creeks like Cedar Creek, King Creek and
Mount Hope Creek. Many of these creeks (at normal full pool levels)
usually feature water depths of less than five feet. Most, (but Cedar
creek) have actually been high and dry with the past summer drought.
Many Alabama anglers never even venture this far into Weiss Lakes
headwaters. There is a lot to fish from Weiss Lakes headwaters on the
Alabama / Georgia State lines, without going any further up the lake.
Besides, with unseasonably low lake levels this past summer season many
anglers just navigated their boats into much safer waters, places with
marked river channel buoys and much safer places with deep water found
nearby. Mid lake on Weiss Lake during low water is considered safer for
navigation.
From the Alabama / Georgia State lines to the lakes lower Weiss Lake dam
is a lot of water for anglers to fish this fall season. Low water
concentrates bass and baitfish, showing the lakes headwaters actually
narrowed down to just an old, original river channel. This means fishing
the mouths of creeks and small pockets, islands and main lake points
located in the lakes headwaters, can all position an angler in some
places bass are now crowded into, places other anglers avoid.
Weiss Lake Mid Lake
Mid Lake is considered some of the lakes best fishing during the
fall period. This can be fishing the mouths of smaller feeder creeks
like Ballplay Creek, Mud Creek and Three Mile creek, creeks mostly dry
with flats exposed during lake drawdown. There are deeper creeks with
navigable waters. Creeks like Spring creek and Cowan creek are located
above the Hwy. 68 causeway crossing and they house schools of bass
holding around piers, boat houses, marinas and wood cover like stumps,
laying trees and resident planted brushpiles.
Rocky points, man made rip-rap rocks lining causeways and bridges are
also good locations for finding bass this fall season on Weiss Lake.
Besides major feeder creeks there is a lot to explore in the lakes mid
section this fall season. Above the Hwy. 68 crossing Yanceys bend,
Pruett's Island and Godfrey's Island are good shallow water flats near
deep water drop-offs that hold bass year round.
Evident schools of baitfish and bass busting on top calls for numbers of
lure selections when waters begin to cool in early fall. Topwater lures
should always be tried on every location during fall's early mornings,
late evenings or often all day if cloudy or raining. Lures like zara
spooks, buzzbaits, prop baits and popping type topwaters are good
choices. Also try spinnerbaits, crankbaits and lipless lures like
rattletraps, for these schooling bass.
Jigging spoons under these schooling bass seen on top, can show a good
chance for an astute angler to fool some of the lakes bigger, more lazy
bass. These over sized largemouth bass are usually feeding and holding
down below the smaller schooling bass that are seen feeding on top. They
are picking off the injured or dying baitfish that look like jigging
spoons fluttering down below. Tailspinners, curly tail grubs or shad
imitations fished on jig heads, blade baits or inline spinners are also
good lure choices for schooling activity.
Both hard bodied jerkbaits and soft jerkbaits are excellent lure
choices, including suspending hard bodied jerkbaits and shallow to mid
running crankbaits in colors of white, chrome or shad patterns.
Experiment with your lure choice. Have several rods already rigged and
ready to fish, with various types of lures. On every outing to Weiss
Lake these bass will hit a certain lure. One certain lure they will hit,
one that can display a certain action, shape, color or size they may
like better than other lures. The only way to discover the days
preference is to offer these bass many lures choices when they are
actively feeding and foolishly attacking these baitfish schools during
the fall and early winter period.
* A word of caution! Stay within the red and green channel markers when
navigating Weiss Lake at low pool. There are many boating accidents
every year when this lake is low. Venturing out of the main river
channel can show an angler quickly navigating away from the buoys,
through some very dangerous waters, often in 1-2 feet of stump filled
waters left here during impoundment when stump flats were cleared.
Laying logs and other obstructions (like rock piles) are visible or just
beneath the waters surface. Use extreme caution this fall and winter
season when boating on Weiss Lake.
Weiss Lake Lower Lake
An area starting at the Hwy. 68 causeway crossing, all the way to
the Weiss Lake dam is considered lower lake fishing. There are two major
rivers that feed the lake here. The Little River and the Chatuga River.
Buffington's Island and Hog Island are where both of these major
incoming suppliers of fresh and cool river waters, join together and
form main lake waters with the Coosa River channel. Any time you have
three major river systems join together -- it is a fish gathering spot
year round.
There is also plenty of fish holding cover to explore in these two
incoming rivers. In addition both rivers feature piers, boat houses,
stump flats, small islands and main lake points. During impoundment left
here were underwater ponds (and now submerged lakes) that can be found
with map study, including old house foundations and roadbeds now
submerged.
With low water there is now plenty of evident flats loaded with laying
logs, fallen trees, stumps, brush piles and other wood cover. This
including rock cover bass relate to as well. Like man made rip-rap rocks
(for erosion) and natural banks featuring rock piles and boulders, all
seen during low water.
Hazard buoys are placed lake wide marking shallow stumps, rock piles and
other dangerous areas, but still anglers should practice navigating
their boat with extreme caution. Use your boats electronics and idle
along watching your depth finder when out of the marked red and green
buoys on the main river channel or deeper creek channels.
From the main lake at Hog Island to about half way up in these two main
feeder rivers, is all a first time angler should safely attempt to run
the boat during low pool. Besides being able to spend an entire day in
the incoming Little River and Chatuga Rivers there is a whole lot more
for fall anglers to explore this fall and early winter seasons.
Yellow Creek Falls, Big Nose Creek and Little Nose Creek and many
unnamed coves, small pockets adorn the lower lake all the way to Weiss
Lake dam. Great places to fish this fall that are usually loaded with
schools of baitfish and feeding bass.
Unknown to many anglers there is also a power house pool located through
a small canal leading from Weiss Lake dam downstream to the Weiss Lake
dam powerhouse. This is small lake in itself and often it gets loaded
with baitfish that are funneled down through the connecting canal.
Baitfish that cannot escape the feeding activity of both Coosa River
spotted bass, largemouth bass and striped bass that are found here in
the fall and early winter seasons.
Explore massive, Weiss Lake this fall season, but like said, "with
caution," first timers especially. It is a great time to bring along a
camera, hand held GPS and a map, to mark and reference shallow water
places that will be flooded again in the spring.
Or call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Exploring and fishing all of
Weiss Lake for over 40 years.
Visit Weiss Lake this spring or call Reeds Guide Service
(205) 787-5133.
This report provided by;
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed
Montgomery
Sunday Mornings 9-10 A.M.Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
"Over 30 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and
Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
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