GUNTERSVILLE LAKE / Mid Summer Bass Fishing Report
Provided By Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
"Over 40 Years Fishing Guntersville Lake for Largemouth Bass"
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
Impounded 1939
Lake Level: down one half foot
Water Temperature: low to mid 80's
Recent rains have helped increase the shallow water bite for Guntersville Lake's mid summer largemouth bass. After an early summer drought rain is a welcome sight both on and off the water. This year has been unusually dry with rainfall for the last 6 months being 60% less than normal. The actual normal, rainfall amount for this 6 month period is usually around 25 inches. To date, this years total amount of rain has been around 10 inches.
Recent evening thundershowers have given way to all day rains increasing weekly throughout Alabama's northeast region. This has shown the Tennessee River Systems four major lakes to show levels suddenly rise and water temperatures have dropped as well. Major feeder creeks both upriver and downriver, main lake head waters and the entire mid lake region is showing a slight stain to the water for the first time in weeks.
So how has this sudden change in conditions changed the mood of the often sulking attitude of Gunterville's Lakes summertime bass population? For the best.
During the beginning of this summer season, scorching air temperatures were suddenly found to be reaching the upper 90's, followed by weeks of constant sunshine and basically no rain at all. Stage 3 drought warning, they were calling it at the Birmingham, Al. Water Works. Lake levels dropped state wide including Guntersville Lake, Alabama's largest Impoundment.
Guntersville Lakes backwaters and feeder creeks actually displayed water that became stagnant from the lack of rain during early summer, rain of which is constantly needed to cleanse these backwaters. Rain that is needed to help keep the many aquatic weed types green and healthy. So, the lack of life giving oxygen (created by green and growing aquatic weeds) and suddenly most of the bigger bass and even the baitfish normally found throughout Guntersville's weedy waters...were gone. Heading for deeper water and better living conditions. But now they are back!
As owner of Reeds Guide Service, I have fished Guntersville Lake for over 40 years. I've seen a sudden upsurge in the bass fishing on this lake (that can change from one day to the next) many times in all seasons, but not like recently. With water temperatures dropping 7-8 degrees -- from almost 90 degrees last month to around 83 degrees right now -- the often, very temperamental attitude of these mid summer bass has changed. They have moved shallow just like during the prespawn period on this lake and this is now taking place even under various conditions.
Often, especially during the heat of a mid 90 degree summer day you just cannot even entice a small bass to bite in shallow water on this lake. Many anglers just resort to fishing deep water hoping to get bit. I know this lake as good as anyone. My father and uncle fished it before I did. After guiding almost every day each week and most of those trips taking place on Guntersville Lake, I can honestly say the fishing is probably as good as it gets. Not for numbers of those monster size bass like during the noted, prespawn times (when those 10 pound bass are taken), but for numbers of bass and at least a few big bass as well, Guntersville Lake right now...is the place to be!
* LURES AND TECHNIQUES? Well, by now most of you that have been to Guntersville Lake with me you know topwaters are at the top of my list for big, Guntersville Lake bass. But for those anglers that don't know, heres a rundown of my favorite topwaters and other lure favorites for summertime fishing this lake. Guntersville Lake bass can be choosy so lure types, various colors, size and actions may vary.
TOPWATERS - Boy how many do they make now? Hundreds of choices. On Guntersville Lake there is situation for every kind of topwater lure, especially the weedless type of lures. So to avoid frustration, use weedless lures and don't expect to throw a topwater lure up in the weeds, one featuring 2 or 3 dangling treble hooks, and expect to get it back without weeds dangling off the hooks. Of which will fool very few bass. I cannot remember catching a bass with weeds hanging off of the lure I'm using.
* Frogs and Rats - Every angler by now has a few. Best colors can vary. Try white, chartreuse, lime or other brighter colors. If these colors do not work try darker colors like black, brown, dark green etc. Fish these lures on heavy line whether you use 17-20 pound test monofilament line or one of the many types of braided line, it is a must for success. Long rods of 6-7 feet are suggested. On calm mornings or sunny days with no wind, fish these lures with short hops and subtle action. If windy or during a rainy period frogs and rats move faster, so should your lures.
* Walking, Popping, Jerking and Other Type Topwaters. This includes a long list of various kinds of topwater lures, so just the basics will do.
* Zara Spooks and Sammies are great walking type topwater lures on Guntersville Lake and by mid summer, these oversized offerings imitate the many baitfish that have grown much bigger. These lures have two treble hooks and can be made to walk all around Guntersville's millfoil and hydrilla weeds and its many types of wood cover. The Zara Super Spook is bigger and has 3 treble hooks and it fools bass of all sizes, especially big bass.
* Pop-R's have become so common this namesake lure is just often referred to as poppers. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Like during calm periods or on sunny days often the bass prefer a short subtle hopping approach with these and other topwater lures. If windy or when raining hard loud jerks of these lures and fast erratic retrieves may be the ticket.
* Single or Double Bladed Prop Baits have been made for dozens of years and they still fool bass today. Two of my favorites are the Baby Torpedo a single back bladed topwater lure and the Crazy Shad, a prop bait with propellers for and aft. Fished with short, erratic retrieves these lures closely imitate Guntersville Lake's small to mid size baitfish not only with looks, but with sound and action as well.
* Floating Worms like Zoom's Trick worms in white, pink, limetreuce, bull frog, methiolate, or yellow and Soft Jerkbaits like Flukes, Mann's' Shadow, or Bass Assassins in colors of pearl, watermelon / green flake, or white are very weedless, they fool bass often when nothing else works and they fool big bass. Fish these semi submerged topwaters with a slow deliberate retrieve, fished on 3/0 hooks and weightless. Make long casts and wear polarized sunglasses and keep them in sight at all times during the retrieve.
* Buzzbaits - Noisy or clacker type buzzbaits are common big bass lures on Guntersville Lake, even during the hot, midday sun. But often like on sunny days these bass will choose to strike a smaller or quieter model buzzbait over noisier models. Always include a trailer hook, make long casts and use stought equipment and heavy line when fishing buzzbaits on this lake. Want more info on fishing Guntersville Lake? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Alabama's oldest, professional guide service with several guides available year round for fishing any lake in Alabama.
If interested give me a call (205) 787-5133 or contact Reeds Guide Service E-mail alabassgyd@aol.com See my website: www.fishingalabama.com Guntersville Lake is hot and I mean I've seen at least a dozen bass over 5 pounds that have been fooled by us on topwater lures alone in the last two weeks! Just unreal! For more info, lake reports and fishing tips on Guntersville Lake see my website: www.fishingalabama.com
Thanks and Good Fishin'
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com