By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
SUMMER BASS FISHING ON LAKE EUFAULA
It looks like this summer will be as hot as it was the last
summer. For the past few years on this lake (situated in
south eastern Alabama), anglers have reported seeing water
temps exceeding 90 degrees.
With air temperatures often over 100 degrees at midday during
the summer months some anglers have simply resorted to fishing
after dark when its much cooler.
After being impounded (1963) for almost 50 years Lake Eufaula
has developed into an amazing aquatic weed fishery. Over
recent years, invasive weeds such as milfoil, hydrilla and
lilly pads have all but choked out the lake.
There now exists miles and miles of shallow weedy water,
evident throughout the entire lake.
Some
of Lake Eufaula’s
aquatic weeds become thick and matted, growing all throughout
this 70 plus mile long lake, from early summer on into
the early Fall season.
Summertime anglers have many choices when it comes to cover
choice in the shallows, whether fishing shallow or deep,
or when fishing at night.
So here’ some
summertime fishing tips for targeting some big, largemouth
bass on Lake Eufaula (or an occasional spotted bass). Both
for while fishing during the hot days of summer or the
more comfortable, cooler nights, when things cool down
fishing for big bass beneath the stars.
DAY
Getting to the lake before dawn is your first mission. Not
arriving two hours after the morning bite has ceased! Many
of Lake Eufaula’s Summertime bass may feed at night,
during early dawn or late evenings.
* Make plans to be making your first cast of the day at first
light!
Like mentioned, aquatic weeds hold some big summertime largemouth
bass. So picking a weedy main lake flat, and/or a major feeder
creek weedy flat nearby, is a wise decision to start your
day. Take notice of any birds, baitfish or especially fish
feeding activity!
* Anytime
you see any of these three given facts; feeding birds,
fleeing baitfish and feeding fish…you can rest
assured a school of bass are nearby.
The lures you choose for summertime angling on Lake Eufaula
are just as important as the location you select to start
your day. So having several rods rigged and ready is suggested.
Most anglers have 2-3 rods rigged, some anglers (avid anglers
or tournament anglers) have as many as a dozen or more rods
rigged and ready for each occasion.
This can amount to as many as 20 rods in the boat, when
two anglers are thinking the same way. Including half a dozen
(or more) tackle boxes, ice chests, clothing, life jackets,
etc. amounting to quite a lot of stuff for each angler.
So adjust, maybe downsizing your rod and reel selections
and tackle before hand. Its all according to the size of
the boat! Some anglers may tie on five lures on five specific
rods for fishing in shallow water early. Then change over
later.
After the morning bite slows, they may cut off all of those
(shallow or weedless) lures, re-rig all rods, according to
lure size, rod size and line size, then they head for deeper
water - rigging all rods for probing deeper water bass.
Some
anglers simply continue fishing Lake Eufaula’s
shallow weedy waters as their day progresses. Probing deep
within various types of thick weedy cover and thick, wood
cover.
Usually
done by casting weedless lures such as frogs and rats far
back in weedy areas, or pitchin’ heavy lures
like jig combos from a distance of 10-30 feet away.
Some anglers simply employ the use of an in-close, long
rod tactic. Usually armed with heavy line, for tackling big
bass holding very tight to cover.
This
is called “flipping” their lures along
weed edges, in weedy holes or along weedy lanes within the
weeds, even swimming a jig combo as well. Other lures great
for probing Lake Eufaula’s weeds and wood cover this
summer can vary.
Generally all of these lures fished on or near bottom are
rigged on a jig head, with a bullet weight and hook Texas-rigged,
or they are Carolina rigged.
But some anglers have discovered that finesse fishing with
small lures or small lure presentations and light line tackle
outfits, works! Like the use of a shaky head jig or a drop
shot rigged plastic, of which both will work all summer long.
There
are many weedless lures on today’s market. Many
lures that are not so weedless. Some are very weedless lures
and some are not weedless lures at all. Both types can work
very well on Lake Eufaula’s weed dwelling bass.
Despite
the hot, stale conditions an angler may encounter during
summer while fishing Lake Eufaula’s wood and
weed covered shallows, there are always a few cooperative
bass willing to strike a well placed lure.
Always try a few of these weedless lures in and around the
weeds; Frogs and rats, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, floating
worms and lizards, soft jerk baits and swim baits.
Along weed edges, down both sides of weedy points, all around
small isolated patches of weeds, or even around weeds mixed
in with wood cover or rock cover, all of these lures will
work with fewer frustrations from lure hang-ups;
Topwater
lures like Zara Spooks, Sammie’s, Baby torpedoes,
Spittin’ Image or Chuggers and Pop-r’s. Shallow
to mid diving crankbaits. Both floating model and suspending
model hard-bodied jerkbaits and rattling, lipless lures.
Shallow to deep diving crankbaits are also good lures for
fishing around man made rip-rap lined rocky banks, bridges
and the dam area.
Deep Water for Day Fishing
Many of Lake Eufaula’s regulars know how the lakes
deeper waters can produce some very big bass during the summer
months.
Often some very fortunate angler will stumble up on one
of those schools of big bass with nothing but 5 pound plus
monsters on every cast! This is possible and it does happen!
To increase your odds of this happening to you, you must
do your homework first. Obtain a good map of the lake, having
a GPS helps tremendously especially for returning to a sweet
spot later and you will need a few floating marker buoys.
Sunscreen too!
Just like you have seen recently on both FLW Outdoors and
Bassmasters televised fishing events utilizing certain lures
for deep water use is important to your success.
Long rods of 7-8 feet aid anglers in making long casts.
This is important to reach your intended location without
spooking the bass with the boat in to close.
Lon Rods are also good for getting lures such as deep diving
crankbaits to achieve their maximum depths. So is the use
of lighter line in the 8-12 pound test category.
Also wide-spooled reels hold more line than narrow-spooled
reels. Reels with high gear ratios are important too!
Heavy
spinnerbaits in the ½ ounce to 2 ounce category
can be slow rolled or simply dropped into the lakes depths
along creek and river channel drop-offs, old river channels
ledges and along flats or rocky banks.
Big 10-12 inch Texas-rigged or Carolina rigged worms in
lighter natural colors to darker models will work to. Also
try creature baits, jig combos, lizards and crayfish imitations,
and tube baits.
Night Fishing
Venture out on Lake Eufaula at night and you better know
where you are running your boat! For instance, just out from
Lakepoint Resort in Cowikee Creek is a lot of standing timber.
It is marked with red and green channel markers. But if
you venture out of this marked boat lane it can be disastrous
to both you and your boat!
Running
lights must be on when navigating, fishing lights on even
when sitting still…they must be on. Its the
law!
A spot light is a must for spotting floating logs, standing
timber and stumps, and for other boaters to help see your
boat at night.
Fishing Lake Eufaula at night can be a challenge. So like
when fishing during the day be rigged and ready beforehand.
Its no fun trying to rig several rods in the dark when your
partner is catching all the bass!
The same lures you catch them with during the day will fool
these bass at night. In addition well lighted places like
piers, marinas, boat houses or rip-rap lined banks, bridges
and the dam area have loads of bass at night.
Worming or dropping spinnerbaits are two of the best tactics
for night fishing. But never rule out those shallow bass
of Eufaula that venture shallow to feed after the sun goes
down!
Especially from midnight to dawn. Topwater lures, spinnerbaits
and other lures like frogs, buzzbaits and even crankbaits
and lipless lures will all work just as well at night as
they do during the day.
End:
As mentioned all throughout these summer fishing tips, there
are many ways to catch these summertime bass when it gets
hot.
Preparing your tackle, boat and equipment for a night of
fishing takes a whole day to get organized. Properly packing
necessary items and checking all lights, bilge pumps, aerators
and batteries avoids problems later.
Trailer bearings and tires must be checked or replaced,
its no fun being broke down on the side of the road in the
dark.
Emergency tools and safety kits are a must, for anything
can happen on an all night fishing trip.
Spare fuses, props (for the outboard and trolling motor)
oil, gas, food, drinks and ice are hard to get after dark.
Make sure to make a check list and check off all of these
necessary items.
Let a loved one at home know where your going, what boat
launch, when you will be back and a phone number to call
for emergencies when you are gone night fishing.
* A cell phone can be a life saver.
Have a safe enjoyable day fishing trip and/or a safe night
fishing trip this summer season!
Practice Catch and Release. Always wear your life jacket
and kill switch. Watch out for the other guy and be safe
and courteous on Alabama's crowded lakes this summer.
* Looking for a new or used boat ? See www.airportmarine.com
* Looking for a great bass tournament trail? See www.airportmarineteamtrail.com
* Looking for the worlds best bass boat? See www.rangerboats.com
* Looking for fishing rods, reels, fishing tackle and hunting
items? See www.marksoutdoors.com
Be safe on our very crowded lakes this summer!
Practice catch and release year-round especially
this Spring. You won't regret it!
Good Fishin'...
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
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