A RECENT GUIDED TRIP TO GUNTERSVILLE LAKE
On a recent guided trip to Alabama's Guntersville lake the water temps had dropped into the low 50's.
An angler from New York was on family business for the Thanksgiving Holidays. He had seen snow just before coming to Alabama!
So Alabama's late November weather in the low 30's with midday highs near 60 degrees was like a heat wave to him!
That rather cool morning (to me), we started with topwater lures of all kinds, but only one topwater produced our two biggest bass, a four pounder and another much bigger bass weighing close to 6 pounds.
Right after dawn both of these big largemouth bass were caught on a small buzz bait.
But a few smaller ones hit a Zara Super Spook 3 hook topwater lure and a two hook "Sammie" topwater walking-type lure. And a small white buzz bait fooled a few.
Throughout the day we only had two bass caught on a spinnerbait. Both were exact weight 3 pounders.
They were both caught in the same spot (musta been twins) on chartreuce, white and blue, tandem silver willow leaf blades / 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits, with a white, straight twin tail soft plastic trailer.
During the mid-morning to late evening period we caught bass up to 3 pounds on about every location we fished featuring either piers or boat houses.
We were mostly using small creature baits in pumpkinseed colors and watermelon / black flake colors. Also crank baits.
Shallow diving Rick Clunn signature series crank baits / colors - white and blue back - and shallow diving Excalibur Fat Free Shad lemon/lime colors, also helped us boat a number of 1-2 pounders.
Still, out of several lure choices the topwater lure a buzz bait, fooled the two biggest bass of the day!
* So here's my choice for December bass fishing generally in water less than 5 feet deep on Guntersville lake...under any conditions!
GUNTERSVILLE'S TOP 5 LURES FOR DECEMBER
If I had to choose 5 lures, I would fish from top to bottom, during early winter in December on Alabama's largest man made impoundment, Guntersville Lake, these 5 lure choices would top my list;
TOPWATER LURES - Yes, bass in low 50 degree water temps will still hit topwater lures on Alabama's weedy impoundment, Guntersville Lake.
Frogs, buzz baits, zara spooks, sammies, pop-r's and soft plastic jerkbaits are just a few lures I have seen bass hit in previous early winter trips.
SUSPENDING JERK BAITS - There are a lot of suspending model jerk baits on today's lure market. Shad or bream colors are best.
Two of my favorites are; Heddon's Tim Horton signature series, 3 hook model suspending jerk baits / and Rapala's X-rap 2 hook model suspending jerk baits (the one with a feather on the tail treble hook). There are other models but suspending qualities are what counts.
CREATURE BAITS - These soft plastic lures come in two sizes I fish a lot on Guntersville lake. Small and medium size. Brush Hogs and other creature type plastics are excellent lures on Guntersville...anytime!
CRANKBAITS - Although some anglers may disagree you can fish shallow-to-mid diving crankbits in December and catch quality size largemouth bass on Guntersville lake!
Some shallow diving crankbait models that feature square bills emit a more wider wobble and at times these type crankbaits can excell over other model crankbaits in their fish catching abilities!
SPINNERBAITS - I always give a spinnerbait a good shot on Guntersville lake, especially in cold water conditions.
They fool bass when you least expect it and often some very big bass weighing over 10 pounds!
Two Sizes - Either a 1/2 ounce (or 5/8's ounce), or a smaller, 3/8 (or 1/4 ounce) spinnerbait should always be tried on each location and on each and every day you fish Guntersville lake in December!
Colors are simple - You can choose to either use all white (skirts and trailers) with silver willow leaf blades (in clear to very lightly stained water conditions), or you may encounter stained to muddy water conditions.
Calling for heavier model spinnerbaits with oversized #5 to #7 Colorado or Willow leaf blades with some blade colors of red, chartreuce or white (or certain hues like gold, silver, or even hammered blades) on the blades.
When fishing Guntersville Lake this winter season try these top 5 lure choices in December, January and even February for some big largemouth bass!
Or you can call on Reeds Guide Service (205)663-1504...first! "Guntersville lake's oldest professional "bass fishing only" freshwater guide service for over 40 years"
Thanks, Happy Holidays and Good Fishin'!
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Birmingham, Alabama
Website www.fishingalabama.com
