LAKE MARTIN / TALLAPOOSA RIVER
By Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
Impounded 1926
Lake Level: Currently down 6 feet for winter pool
Call 1-800-lakes-11 for lake levels (normal 490.0) and water generation schedules
Finding a Lake to fish this winter that is similar to fishing Lake Martin would be difficult. It is lake unlike any lake in Alabama. At times it can throw a curve ball at the best angler around and succeed in striking him out. But there are times, like during winter, when a persistent angler can have high hopes of loading the boat or successfully succeed in fooling one of the years biggest spotted bass or largemouth bass.
Cold, wintertime days are not suited for most anglers and often you will have the ramp all to yourself when launching at Lake Martin during December, January and February. Anglers that don't frequent this lake during winter may be missing out on some of the lakes best fishing for really big, trophy sized bass. Although at times it can be hard to even get a bite when fishing during the dead of winter on this lake, keep in mind big bass do have to eat. Over the years I have caught 5 very memorable largemouth bass all weighing from 7-8 pounds on Lake Martin. They all came during the cold, winter months on days when I had very few bites otherwise. Two of which came on the same cold, rainy day, both fooled with topwater lures in December. A 7 pounder caught on a buzzbait and an 8 pounder caught on a zara super spook.
Winter rains have a lot to do with the largemouth bass bite found in the lakes headwaters and incoming feeder creeks, places that muddy up real fast. Rain water is warmer than surrounding waters and can induce bass to feed heavily on incoming meals such as baitfish, minnows, bream, worms and crayfish. Lures such as oversized spinnerbaits and gaudy jig combos can be detected much better in stained water situations in these lake headwaters and feeder creeks. Two of my previously mentioned bass exceeding 7 pounds came on these two lures in February on two different trips. Like the 7 & 8 pounders I mentioned they came off of wood cover, actually each off of one lone tree.
One an 8 pounder, was fooled on a big, gaudy chartreuse and white 3/4 ounce spinnerbait with a small #3 gold Colorado blade on front and a # 8 willowleaf blade on the back. It was sporting a big fat Albert chartreuse grub trailer and fished on 20 pound test Trilene Big Game line. Caught in the back of small pocket in 3 feet of stained 50 degree water, laying between the big tree and the bank. Yes, I remember every detail of that big bass fooled and released over 10 years ago. The other 8 pounder was fooled and later released while fishing with a chartreuse jumbo sized Uncle Josh pork trailer attached to a 1/2 ounce jig (all chartreuse) on Trilene 20 pound test Big Game line, caught after a lengthy battle, on a flipping rod.
Lake levels are down for winter pool, so navigating the lake is hazardous, especially when venturing your boat north towards the lakes headwaters above Hwy. 280 bridge. Always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch and dress warm during winter fishing trips. Need help fishing Lake Martin this winter? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
Want more info on fishing Lake Martin this winter season? Go to www.fishingalabama.com and read the "fishing tips" and "Lake reports" links for this lake. You can also read a monthly column titled, " Off the Hook " written by Reed Montgomery found at: www.lakemartinmagazine.com There you see a special three part wintertime article titled, "Fishing Deep Water on Lake Martin This Winter," written by Reed Montgomery. This three part article on fishing for largemouth bass and spotted bass in Lake Martin's deep water will be featured each month. Look for it this December, January and February this winter season. Subscriptions to this very informative and colorful magazine are available at: www.lakemartinmagazine.com
Thanks and 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