By Reed Montgomery Reed Montgomery
Impounded 1961
Lake Level; Falling, dropped 3-5 feet for winter pool
FALL ON WEISS LAKE
After a scorching hot summer of constant mid to upper 90 degree days both the bass and the bass angler are ready for some changes on Alabama's Weiss Lake. September, October and November are considered Fall months here in Alabama. Although September still feels like Summer with temperatures still hovering near 90 degrees, there are some comfortable fishing days ahead as this last month of hot weather slowly dwindles down with cooler days and nights evident.
Each month the fishing for largemouth bass and spotted on North Alabama's Weiss Lake changes...for the better. So heres some monthly tips for both navigating and fishing for bass on this first of six lakes on the Coosa River System.
September
Like said, the month of September is still hot here in Alabama. Until the end of the month anglers will still be fishing like they were this past summer. To some anglers that can mean probing deep water. But for those anglers that know, there are always some shallow bass to be caught...that is, by the skilled angler that searches out those shallow bass many anglers overlook during hot weather.
Deep, means fishing along river channel drop-offs on Weiss Lake. This also means fishing along flats or banks where the deeper creek channel or river channel swings in close to the bank. Fishing man made rip-rap rocks found along the dams or around causeways and bridges can show deep rocks holding deep bass. Some anglers make contact with bass holding in 20-30 feet of water, but most of these deep water bass are holding along the main drop-offs, found from shallow water to deep water retreats.
Shallow bass will have late summer's aquatic weeds (now in full bloom) to relate to, that is until the lake is dropped (usually beginning in October), when it will be down 3-5 feet for winter for the next 6 months. These weeds have grown all summer and some are thick in September before dying, and these weeds can hold some decent sized largemouth bass. Brush planted by residents and found around piers and boat houses are always good for holding several bass. They wait there in ambush as they attack unsuspecting prey such as when feeding on minnows, bream, shad and crayfish all relating to the thick wood cover where they hide for security from big largemouth bass and spotted bass.
Keep in mind, most bass found around wood, weeds and rock cover have been homesteading these places for months, gathering and grouping up during the entire summer season. Both schools of spotted bass and largemouth bass can be bunched up together in these preferred locations by the month of September.
October
It gets better as the water cools. Cool nights and some very comfortable days are very evident as anglers find the water temps slowly dropping into the 70's for the first time in 6 months. This cooling water is that timely triggering sensation that sends these bass on a Fall feeding frenzy towards the shallows. But not all bass. Some bass remain in or very near deep water, even when it begins to cool. Some bass only feed during low light periods such as dawn, dusk and on cloudy or rainy days. These are bass that are very susceptible to lures such as mid to deep diving crankbaits, floating and suspending jerkbaits, rattling lipless lures and dozens of slow bottom dragged lures.
As waters cool many bass cruising the shallows are in search of an easy meal. These bass are looking up for an injured or dying baitfish, an easy to catch meal, some now struggling on the waters surface. Topwater lures fall in this category and popular topwater lures such as walking type Zara Spooks and Sammie's, or those loud clacker type and very irritating buzzbaits and those surface disturbing popping type lures and prop bait lures, are always worth a few casts towards the shallows. Which by the way will be wood or rock cover with the weeds now high and dry from lake drawdown.
Traditionally October is when bass head for the shallows and voraciously feed along main lake and creek flats, in incoming feeder rivers and major feeder creeks found lake wide. Besides the aforementioned lures, anglers should dig deep in their tackle box for old favorites. One you should always fish during Fall is a spinnerbait.
Spinnerbaits are great lures in the Fall, especially when encountering current, stained water and schooling or feeding bass. The muddier the water gets the bigger the blades on your spinnerbait should be. Calling for the use of heavier spinnerbaits, which are always selected for running true and displaying more flash and vibration. Colors matter too when the water gets stained to muddy from Fall rains. Not only calling for brighter colors of white, chartreuse, blue, red or orange on spinnerbait skirts and trailers but blade selection hues and colors. Brightly colored blades or hammered Colorado blades in hues of gold or copper are better seen and detected by bass in muddy water, than silver willowleaf blades in stained to muddy water conditions.
November
Like said, "It only gets better the cooler it gets." Like October, November is a month of changes as well. Conditions pay a Hugh role in any anglers fishing success on any lake in Alabama during November. Heavy fall rains can swell the lake and show places where a major rain run off can muddy the entire lake for days. The incoming Chatuga River, the Little River and Weiss Lakes headwaters (where the Coosa River comes in out of Georgia) and the many feeder creeks found on the lake, can all become practically unfishable following 3-4 days of heavy rain. If so, make plans to fish the lakes lower end. Both the dams and the power pool area rarely gets muddy.
By November Weiss Lake has stabilized and low water is very evident. Visible stumps and rocks show a need for caution when navigating Weiss Lake when down. Many mishaps have taken place in years past, so use extreme caution when navigating out of the main river channel. Water temps become very important right now. Some anglers concentrate on finding cooler waters, but finding the warmest water will show the most active bass in any one given area. So plan on moving around and checking water temperatures in various areas and making note of the most active bass when you do.
As waters continue to cool these bass of Weiss Lake continue to feed and fatten up for the upcoming Winter months ahead. Consider the conditions before you plan your trip. Cold fronts will become more evident as October ends and November brings a sudden drop in air and water temps. One thing in most anglers favor during the Fall period is football season, hunting season and back to school time. All of which keeps most anglers off the water until next spring. So having fishing spots all to yourself is not uncommon the colder it gets.
Make plans accordingly or Call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133 for current up to date conditions on Weiss Lake or any time you plan to visit any lake in Alabama, during this Fall and upcoming Winter season.
*NOTE For a new map of Weiss Lake, debuting in Alabama. Go to: www.FISHINGHOTSPOTS.com Waterproof, tearproof, GPS marked maps, with fishing tips supplied by Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service.
Good Fishin'