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Wintertime Trophy Smallmouth Bass of Wilson Lake

The Tennessee River System consists of four, man made impoundments, all situated in Northwest Alabama. There is Guntersville Lake, Alabama's largest reservoir at 82 miles in length. Right below it is Wheeler Lake, Alabama's second largest reservoir, about 74 miles long. Then there is Wilson Lake, the smallest reservoir on the Tennessee River System, featuring only 15 navigable miles in length. Right below Wilson Lake is Pickwick Lake, about 50 miles long, from Wilson dam to Pickwick dam.

So with these facts in mind, most anglers visiting north Alabama for the first time would immediately ignore the smallest lake (Wilson Lake), and start making plans to head for one of the larger reservoirs. That would be just fine...most of the year. But to ignore Wilson Lake during the winter months could be a big mistake. Especially if your a single fish angler, looking to just boat one true, trophy-sized smallmouth bass. Lets say a twelve pounder. Yes, they do exist, for all of these Tennessee River Reservoirs have aged, with each lake now over 50 years since impoundment.

Wilson Lake once held the world record smallmouth bass. But it was caught. That monster brown bass weighed 10 pounds and 8 ounces. It was taken by a most fortunate angler a long, long, time ago, in the year 1950. Since then, that previous world record smallmouth bass record was eventually broken in Tennessee with an 11 pound plus smallmouth bass.

I say, " lets not wait another 50 years, its time to see another true, trophy sized smallmouth bass taken out of one of Alabama's Tennessee River Reservoirs."

Wilson Lake, or upstream Wheeler Lake, or even downstream Pickwick Lake could give up that next smallmouth bass of a lifetime. That is, if that angler is prepared for the fight of a lifetime and he/she eventually wins. For so many, "would be world record holders" have already tried and been beaten. Everything must be in perfect working order to land such a fish.

Experienced anglers and any trusty, Boy Scout all know. Its called, " being prepared. " Fooling one of these crafty, brown bass into biting, is just one of the first few steps towards eventually having those rare bragging rights, that are only rewarded after landing such a bass. Many other reason exists, as to why so many anglers have failed (in all of these years), in breaking this hard-to-break world record.

From the very end of that extra sharp hook to the butt of the handle of the rod your using, all things "breakable" must be checked. Or last of all, your heart could get broken. There are many tales floating around the old U.S.of A. about, " the one that got away " and many of those fishing tales originated on this mighty, Tennessee River System. So don't let yours be added to this long, ever growing list of would-be heroes. Like said, "be prepared" when you come to Wilson Lake, or any lake for that matter.

Wilson Lake is a small lake. It is only 15 miles long, it consists of 15,930 surface acres of water and Wilson lake features only 150 miles of shoreline. Shoreline, that's the lakes banks, where most anglers usually concentrate their efforts when bass fishing on Wilson Lake. Feeder creeks exists throughout the lake, some creeks small by most standards and others slightly bigger, with all creeks featuring a winding creek channel loaded with fish holding cover, leading far back in the scenic countryside to provide you a nice backdrop when fishing these tributaries.

Near the lakes headwaters is Big Nance Creek and Bluewater Creek, both creeks featuring loads of wood cover like log jams, laying trees, stumps, brush and even resident planted Christmas trees. There are plenty of visible rocks, man made rip-rap rocks, boulders and rock bluffs. These are winding creek channels that feature decent, navigable depths to about midways of these creeks, year round.

Other feeder creeks worth investigating found down stream, are Town Creek, more of a flatland creek featuring wood cover like piers, trees, logs, stumps and a bonus, "aquatic weeds", all found at mid lake. McCerman Creek is near the lower lake's Wilson lake dam. Shoal Creek, Six Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek (across the lake from McCerman creek), are near Wilson Lake dam and they all hold good concentrations of both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass all throughout the winter months.

Anglers seeking smallmouth bass in relatively deeper water sanctuaries can begin their search in Wilson Lake's headwaters, situated right below massive, Wheeler lake dam. Not all that deep at 5-15 foot depths, but these current laden waters are homes to some of Wilson lake's biggest smallmouth bass ever taken on record. Including one memorable smallmouth, that of my father's.

An 8 1/2 pound bronzeback beauty that, as told by my Uncle Harold (God rest both of their weary soles), jumped "head high" at least a half dozen times, before they boated it. They were drifting in the current of these swift, tailrace waters on a cold, rainy miserable winter day when my father hooked into this fighting ball of fury. It was fooled on a jigging spoon.

That memory (although I was not there, I feel like I was my Uncle told it so many times), of that jumping brown bass, a smallmouth bass all trophy bass anglers seek, will live on in the minds of many other anglers still alive today. Anglers of yesterday, "old timers" as they say, that saw pictures of it posted everywhere in Alabama.

Like said, "shorelines are where most anglers fish." Or even below dams can be community holes. Even rock bluffs. But old river channel drop-offs, ledges, submerged humps, old ridges, underwater islands and rock piles, are just a few of the places for the more serious, trophy bass angler to explore this winter. I truly believe there is an awful lot of untapped deep water in Wilson Lake's deeper sections. Places that could hold and eventually give up another, " World Record Smallmouth Bass. " Could it be yours?

Explore Wilson Lake this winter season. But you may get lonely. There is some miserable weather in north Alabama during the months of late December, January and February. But also keep in mind, there are more trophy smallmouth bass taken on these lakes in these winter months, than during any of the other seasons combined. So sometimes you have got to brave the elements to get your just rewards. At times your search will only produce a few bites on these cold, miserable days of winter. But it could show your efforts to produce the fish of lifetime, eventually laying in the bottom of the boat and isn't that what its all about?

Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Alabama's oldest, most well known statewide, freshwater fishing guide service. " Fishing and guiding on every lake in Alabama for over 40 years." Licensed and insured. Several professional guides and boats available year round for multiple parties and corporate guided trips to any lake in Alabama, year round.

Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service makes a great gift for Christmas, Birthday's, Father's Day or any occasion, for those loved ones that love to fish. E-mail me or call (205) 787-5133 today for rates, discounts and lake info. See my website: www.fishingalabama.com for more winter fishing tips, fishing articles and Reeds Guide Service info.



Fall Bass Fishing Wilson Lake

Wilson Lake on the Tennessee River System was impounded over 80 years ago. That's a long time for a man made impoundment to endure the test of time. Being many factors. The mighty Tennessee River System that feeds the lake can show water generation greatly influence aquatic weed growth on this rather small lake, only 17 miles in length. If the lake is suddenly drawn down it can expose a lot of weedy homes. When the lakes lowered these weeds die.

If Wilson lake is allowed to get over normal, full pool levels (507.0) it can suddenly cover up the many aquatic weeds growing along the lakes shoreline and feeder creeks. This is when the fish predators such as largemouth bass, move in to feed on the many varieties of prey found within and around these aquatic weeds.

Another factor many anglers look forward to is water generation. When the water is released from massive, Wheeler Lake dam it creates a feeding frenzy among the lakes fish inhabitants. Fish gather in huge numbers in the lakes headwaters and they have over a mile wide area, below this dam of current filled waters to explore. All in search of the days next washed in meal. Or your lure.

So anglers come from all over the globe to fish these current laden waters often by simply just running the boat up to the dam, then drifting in the current fishing with live bait, cut bait or lures that look like the baitfish and crayfish found here. Wilson Lakes free public boat launch is about a half mile below the dam discharge area.

* NOTE * You must wear life jackets when fishing these lake headwaters, it is the law, boaters must have them on when within 800 yards of the dam. You may also be checked by the water patrol for other items such as a throw cushion, fire extinguisher, boat registration papers and fishing licenses.

LURES FOR WILSON LAKES BASS
There are hundreds of anglers that come from all over the globe, throughout the United States and from all over Alabama and surrounding states, to fish Wilson Lake. Many of them are looking for a one of a kind of trophy fish found in Wilson Lakes waters. The smallmouth bass. Wilson Lake has given up one world record smallmouth bass and anglers that fish this lake with any regularity believe there is another one here. There are many lures (both small and large ones), these smallmouth bass will hit throughout the fall season.

Topwater Lures - These lures get the attention of Wilson Lake's schooling bass and early morning or late evening bass, usually feeding during low light periods. But it does not mean a bass will not hit these type of lures right in the middle of the day. Prop-baits, popping type topwaters and walking type topwaters all look like the many meals washed in this lake. A bass will bust any of these topwaters and dozens of other topwaters, if its hungry and nearby.

Mid-running Lures - This can be shallow to mid diving crankbaits, floating and suspending two hook and three hook model jerkbaits, rattling lipless lures, in-line spinners, even weightless lures like soft shad imitations, Senkos and floating worms. There are a lot of bass that suspend in mid water depths in Wilson Lakes headwaters and surrounding rock bluffs, usually in less than 10 feet of water. These mid depth lures are good lures for reaching them and getting those reaction strikes in the swift current, other lures may not entice.

Bottom Lures - This can be small worms, mid-size worms or worms in the 10-12 inch size. Or small 4 inch lizards, 6 inch lizards and 8 inch lizards. Crayfish imitations can be soft plastic crayfish rigged on a jig head, Texas rigged, Carolina rigged or drop shot rigged. These rigs are good for other soft plastics. Creature lures with several trailing appendages are excellent here in Wilson lakes headwaters. Tube baits and Jig combos are good to.

Bring plenty of each lure in various sizes and all colors and experiment. Also bring plenty of hooks, jig heads and sinkers. You will hang up a lot on these rocky, lake headwaters. Jigging spoons or fishing with tailspinners are good lures for all fish species in Wilson lake. Again, bring plenty of spoons in all sizes, usually of 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. They do hang up and you will lose some in a day or two of fishing Wilson Lake.

Fishing the lakes headwaters, its incoming feeder Creeks, rock bluffs or some of Wilson's hidden, underwater mid lake humps and drop-offs, an angler can actually have a chance at connecting with one of these trophy sized jumping, brown bass. This can take place on any outing here this fall and winter season. Be prepared with new line, sharp hooks, a good net and a good net man. Getting these smallmouth bass in the boat is another thing. Actually, just landing a huge, tackle-testing smallmouth bass is a real bonus in itself...one many anglers fail to get rewarded with.

Planning a trip to Wilson Lake this fall and winter season? The colder it gets, the bigger the bass get and far less anglers on the lake. Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
" Over 40 Years Fishing and Guiding on Wilson Lake and other Alabama Lakes for bass and stripers". Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service (Website: www.fishingalabama.com) makes a great surprise gift for Birthday's, Father's Day and Christmas (certificates available), for those loved ones that love to fish. Several boats and qualified guides available, year round.
 

Summer on Wilson Lake
LOWER LAKE
From Wilson dam to Wheeler dam is only a little less than 16 miles. Although a very small lake and a very short distance from dam to dam, compared to the 50 plus miles of other Tennessee River impoundment's, this small lake has big rewards.

Like the one received, by some fortunate angler that caught the world record smallmouth bass in the 50's. Or the lady that caught a 13 pound largemouth bass, while fishing below Wheeler dam. Or the many anglers that have successfully hooked and landed striped bass and catfish, in excess of 30 pounds. It also has an excellent bream population, an abundance of catfish, hybred-striped bass, white bass, and even a decent sized crappie population.

All of these, and other fish species, can be found while fishing the lakes lower end. Here, like other Tennessee River impoundment's, the lake was backed up with towering rock bluffs, now flooded, years after impoundment.

Small pockets, and main lake flats, in addition to the cooler, shady areas, found under piers, boat houses and overhanging rock bluffs, are all excellent spots to search out both the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, during day and night fishing excursions, this summer.

Not far from Wilson dam, on the lakes Northeastern shores is a feeder creek worth exploring this summer. Shoal Creek, spanned at its midsection by Hwy.72 bridge, shows nice catches of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stripers (and even crappie under the bridge at night with lights), even when its very hot. Across the lake, McKierman Creek is smaller, but does has deep water access and a good fish population.

MID LAKE
Hidden, underwater humps can't be seen, but a good map will reveal these mid lake spots, anglers can find huge schools of bass bunched up in this summer. Just above Shoal Creek, are two feeder creeks named Six Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek. Scan a map and look out in front of these small feeders, at midlake, to discover humps that can be found with some depthfinder use.

Town Creek, found on the lakes Southeastern side, is a good creek for finding a variety of fish this summer, all seeking the current and cooler mountainous waters found in this creek's headwaters. As you enter this creek beware of floating logs and shallow, stump rows. The weedy islands in the creek mouth hold quality fish all summer. As do the many piers and boat houses found here.

UPPER LAKE
Look for surfacing fish, at the lakes headwaters this summer. Fishing below Wheeler dam in Wilson Lakes headwaters, anglers can encounter line stretching fish, when targeting surfacing or schooling activity on top. There is a lock to explore, rocky bluffs, rock islands and rip-rap lined banks, for targeting shallow fish found in the 5-10 foot range all summer.

Feeder creeks in these lake headwaters are few. On the lakes Northeastern shores is Blue Water Creek. Log jams, creek flats, weed beds, rock bluffs, and piers, this small creek has it all for the versatile creek-fishing angler.

The same goes for Big Nancy Creek, found on the lakes Southeastern side, near the dam. It has a twisting, winding creek channel, with 5-10 foot depths. Log jams, laying trees, stumps, brush piles, rock bluffs and a bridge that crosses midways of this creek, shows a lot of fish relating to a variety of cover, all throughout the summer months.
 

Spring on Wilson Lake

Wilson lake, by some standards is a small lake. Sandwiched between upper reservoir Wheeler Lake and lower Tennessee River reservoir Pickwick Lake to the South, Wilson Lake only 15 1/2 miles in length, could be passed up (by those that do not know) for bigger waters nearby. However, anglers should always consider a day of fishing Wilson Lake when they are planning a trip to North Alabama.

This small impoundment of 15,930 surface acres has some very fishy looking water. Wilson lake, now over 80 years since impoundment, is "very big" on all types of fish. Wilson lake may be the most varied fishery in Alabama, holding many different species of freshwater fish. It is loaded with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and a good population of spotted bass as well. Striped bass come in numbers, some weighing from 20-30 pounds (or bigger) have been taken in years past. This goes for hybrid striped bass and white bass as well.

Anglers seeking the famed "brown bass," the smallmouth bass, come from all around the globe to sample her waters for these true tackle testing bass...and rightfully so. The previous world record smallmouth bass came out of Wilson Lake in 1950. It weighed a whopping ten and one half pounds. After over 50 years, there have been many smallmouths taken from 7-10 pounds on Wilson Lake, some that got away.

March on Wilson Lake is all according to the weather. Fishing can be tremendous for weeks at a time with warming trends. But you can always expect a cold front in March in north Alabama, one that can shut them down for a few days. Heavy rains are common during March and often several days of torrential downpours can really muddy up the lake and incoming creeks.

The first week of March this spring season (and a few weeks after that) showed unseasonably warm days of mid 70's and mild nights of mid 50's. Some cold fronts with daytime highs in the 50's occurred, but nothing to serious to severely drop the water temperatures and send the bass back to the deep.

By mid March of this spring season water temperatures were hovering in the mid 60's on Wilson Lake. So, it looks like an early spring, unless of course another severe cold front sneaks in, when anglers least expect it.

As bass of all species move in the creeks, a variety of lures will fool some of the year's biggest largemouth bass, spotted bass and smallmouth bass. Some bass are still feeding and very active while others are already bedding with the full moon nearby in mid April. Lures are many at this time of year for fooling both largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and an occasional spotted bass or even a striped bass species.

Shallow to deep diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits, floating and suspending jerkbaits, rattling lipless lures, topwaters and loads of soft plastics and jigs on bottom, will all fool these prespawn bass of March.

April shows the entire lakes water warming, aquatic weeds in full bloom and Wilson Lake alive with feeding bass, baitfish activity and lots of spawning bass. As waters reach the optimum spawning temperature of 72 degrees bass can actually be seen in the shallows. Feeder creeks, flats on the main lake, flats found in shallow water along rock bluffs, flats in small cuts and pockets, and any point on the main lake or up in feeder creeks, will display the easily seen and freshly made beds for spawning.

The month of May on Wilson Lake (like any Alabama Lake) shows some of the year's best, consistent action, for bass fishing. Especially with the use of topwater lures. Many anglers wonder why topwater lures are often the lures of choice when it comes to bass fishing in May on Wilson Lake and all throughout Alabama.

Well, there are many reasons why you should have several different types of topwaters handy this spring. Maybe even a few extras, just in case a big bass decides to take one away from you.

Most bass have bed by mid May. Many bass are through with the rituals of bedding, some are through guarding the bed against unwanted intruders and now mostly smaller male bass are protecting the small, inch long, newborn baby bass. This is all that's left to keep them in the shallows. All but one other very important factor in the life of all bass. Eating.

For almost a month (from late March, until the first week of May), both the male and female bass of Wilson Lake have been stressed out. Prior to bedding, both male and female bass have eaten well, fattening up for the spawn. But when actually going on the bed they don't eat very much. The bigger female bass lay their eggs, hang around a few days and leave the tending of the nest for the male.

But these much bigger female bass (most anglers are seeking), do stick around and even some male bass can reach a hearty weight of 5 pounds. They both rest during May and recuperate, but still they are constantly watching over their newborn baby bass offspring. Most only eat when irritated or when the occasion provides an easy to catch meal. Like slow moving topwater lures.

After a few weeks of spawning both the male and female bass will regain their strength and make up for lost time at the dinner table. That's why lures that are retrieved on or along the waters surface in shallow water (less than 5 feet deep, but usually around 1-3 feet deep), are at their best during the month of May. May is traditionally known as post spawn time for some very hungry bass on Wilson Lake, the Tennessee river's smallest lake...that is very big on fishing during the spring.

Give it a try this spring and discover some of Wilson Lake's " best fishing of the year " for targeting bass, stripers and other species of freshwater fish. Or always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! (205) 787-5133. " Over 30 Years of Bass and Striper Fishing, Professionally Guiding, Catering to Tournament Anglers...and just fishing and catching whatever bites while exploring beautiful Wilson Lake and all other Alabama Lakes." Several boats and professional guides available year round.

*NOTE* Please Practice C P R Catch, Photo and Release This Spring Season. So Future Anglers Will Have Fish Like We Do Today!
 

This Report Provided by:
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service
Call: Reed Montgomery - (205) 787-5133
alabassgyd@aol.com