PICKWICK LAKE
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
Impounded 1938
Lake Level: Down for winter pool
Fall on Pickwick Lake
Pickwick Lake is a Tennessee River Impoundment that is visited by bass anglers year round. Many of these anglers come from all over the entire globe with high expectations, just looking for a chance to sample Pickwick Lake's waters - acclaimed to be the best smallmouth bass fishing around. Fall is when that smallmouth action begins.
This past summer smallmouth bass were fooled lake wide by anglers fishing during hot 90 plus degree days and some anglers that beat the heat by fishing Pickwick Lake at night. As September got underway relief was noted by all and by late September the official beginning of Fall displayed low lake levels now down from 3-5 feet for another 6 months for winter pool and water temperatures in the low 70's.
October and November shows many changes. Bass and bass anglers have to adjust as both find the conditions for the upcoming Winter slowly creeping in. Very evident by the low 40's at night that bring in October with daytime highs slowly getting colder each week. Jumpsuits, toboggans, gloves and heavy coats replace T-shirts and light jackets that were worn just a few weeks ago. It does get cold in North Alabama and anglers that fail to bring the necessary clothing know all about it real fast. The fishing gets better as it gets colder, something smallmouth bass are noted for. The sales get better too, as more and more anglers head for the nearest Walmart to get some warm clothes.
Besides the lake headwaters there are rock bluffs, visible islands and submerged islands, rip-rap rocks found along the barge canal and laying trees, brush and stumps are all found only a few miles both upriver and downriver of Mc farland park launch. Many feeder creeks are shallow due to low water but some creeks and small pockets still have water 10 feet deep or more.
Many anglers launch in Pickwick Lakes headwaters at Mc farland park near the city of Florence. From here there is a variety of places to choose when it comes to likely looking, bass holding spots to fish. Just a few miles North is the lakes headwaters, fishing right below Wilson Lake dam. Turbulent waters and boulders just under the waters surface make this a very hazardous place for first timers, so caution is advised. After you pass under the two bridges that span the lake (just about 1 mile below Wilson Lake dam) it is suggested you slow down, trim up the outboard motor and idle up the middle of the lake, towards the dam. It is less than 5 feet deep with rocks everywhere.
Fishing these lake headwaters has rewarded many anglers with smallmouth bass exceeding the 5 pound mark. Fall is the time to drift with the current. This means running up to the dam and allowing the boat to drift back down the lake a mile or so. You can drift in this current and bump bottom with a variety of lures. Jig heads with small plastic worms, curly tail grubs, lizards, shad imitations and crayfish imitations work great here. They do hang up, but breaking them off is not all that expensive, so bring plenty. This may call for the use of light tackle rods and reels outfitted with line in the 6-10 pound test category so check your reels drag and sharpen all hooks. A good net and net man is needed as well.
Other lures are many. Tube baits can be fished Texas rigged or on a jig head. Carolina rigged plastics do aid an angler in fooling fish in Pickwick Lakes headwaters, but they do hang up a lot in the swift current. So bring plenty of hooks, swivels and beads. Jig combos get a little expensive when you start hanging up in all the rocks and boulders, but they do fool some of the years biggest smallmouth bass fishing these lake headwaters. Texas rigged lizards, crayfish imitations and even oversized worms in lengths of 6-10 inches should be tried for a chance at some real trophy sized bass with big appetites. Jigging spoons or fishing with tailspinners is also productive as are inline spinners and other heavy lures like blade baits.
Suspending jerkbaits and floating jerkbaits fished with fast erratic motions fool some of the years biggest smallmouth bass in these lake headwaters. Again, check your drag and sharpen or replace all hooks. Deep diving crankbaits, mid runners, shallow divers and rattling lipless lures all should be tried on every outing, despite the weather. These bass will even hit topwaters on a cold morning or during a bright bluebird day, times when most anglers do not even give these lures a chance.
So give Pickwick Lake a try this Fall season and discover some of the years best fishing found lake wide especially the lakes headwaters. Or call on Reeds Guide Service...first! and see how its done. Over 30 years exploring Pickwick Lake and other Alabama Lakes with many professional guides and boats available year round for multiple parties and corporate guided trips. Be safe, dress warm and always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch. The life you save, just might be your own.
Good Fishin'
This report provided by:
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