Lake level: May be down for winter pool 1-3
feet / due to drought
WINTER
ON JONES BLUFF
This is a mid Alabama Lake you just don't hear much about...especially
during the winter months.
Jones Bluff Reservoir began with the building of Robert F.
Henry Lock and dam in 1972. The lake is officially named, Lake
Robert F. Henry and it stretches for over 80 miles. From Robert
F. Henry lock and dam on the lakes lower end, to the lakes
headwaters. These lake headwaters are actually tailrace waters
coming off of two dams, on two major River Systems.
The six impoundments that make up the Coosa River System all
drain into Jones Bluff Lake. These Jones Bluff Lake headwaters
are actually the discharge waters coming from the last lake
in this series of six Coosa River System lakes found upstream,
Jordan Lake's - Walter F. Bouldin dam.
Another influx of water enters these Jones Bluff lake headwaters.
The Tallapoosa River coming off of Lake Martin dam, empties
into Jones Bluff Lake and joins the Coosa River at a Y section
in Jones Bluff Lake's headwaters. This merging of these two
major river systems forms the Alabama River.
Not only is there over 80 miles of navigable water on this
lake, but it is a rather spread out lake as well, especially
evident in the mid-to-lower lake region of Jones Bluff. This
lake consists of 373 miles of shoreline. It also features 16,300
square miles of some very fishy-looking feeder creeks and backwaters.
Which takes us back to winter bass fishing on Jones Bluff.
JONES BLUFF LAKE HEADWATERS
Like most Alabama man made impoundments, the upper third of
Jones Bluff resembles a river more than a lake. These lake
headwaters do display some rather good places and favorable
conditions for fishing for both spotted bass and largemouth
bass during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Winter comes
and everything changes in these lake headwaters...often for
the worse.
Seasonally, heavy winter rains can swell the lakes headwaters,
places that mostly feature high river banks and no back water
feeder creeks to absorb the fast rising waters. Lots of rain
run-off from 8 lakes found upstream on two major river systems,
is a lot of water coming downstream to Jones Bluff Lake.
This rain run off can create some very heavily-stained to just
plain muddy water conditions, often for weeks at a time in
these Jones Bluff lake headwaters. Colder than normal water
temperatures can occur here as well. Cold, swift, muddy water
conditions - are the worse conditions an angler can face.
Although most anglers know, rain run-off can suddenly warm
the backs of major feeder creeks, incoming small streams and
their adjoining flats, there are very few feeders in these
Jones Bluff Lake headwaters. During winter, warm rain run-off
only filters into the lakes found upstream of Jones Bluff Lake,
cooling off very fast.
Upstream dams release water coming from the deeper portions
of upstream lakes. This is very cold water in winter. Cold
water is heavier and it sinks to the lakes bottom. Coupled
with 30-50 foot depths found on the lower ends of these upstream
impoundments - Jordan Lake and Lake Martin - discharged water
coming off of these upstream dams in Jones Bluff Lake headwaters,
have very little time to heat up.
* From Interstate 65 crossing to the Y section found upstream
(where the two rivers join), would be the best places to explore
during clear water conditions and winter warming trends in
these Jones Bluff Lake headwaters.
JONES BLUFF LAKE'S MID TO LOWER SECTION
There are some big spotted bass and trophy sized largemouth
bass that live here in these mid-to-lower lake regions, year
round. These bass have more room to roam and they get used
to any wintertime condition that can arise. Just like bass
living out their lives in the lakes headwaters.
But, often these are easier-to-catch bass, bass that are usually
living out their winter's in more favorable conditions than
their upstream relatives. So considering this past years drought
and little or no rain, there are some places to consider, under
these more favorable conditions this winter season.
Prior to most winters here in mid Alabama we have plenty of
rain. This keeps the lakes flushed out and clean. It also creates
a constant current situation throughout the lakes, keeping
the fish like Jones Bluff's spotted bass very active and constantly
feeding each day. Winter warming trends help the largemouth
bite increase as well. Its all about the weather.
Each winter season there are times, often for over a week or
two, when air temperatures can suddenly soar. It can go from
lows in the teens to air temps in the low 70's, all in one
week. Like it did the first week of January of this year.
These winter warming trends display several, consecutive warm
days and warm nights, bringing up the lakes water temperatures
as much as 10 degrees in one week. Lake backwaters shielded
from cold, winter winds and constant current, can get even
warmer. This is where winter largemouth's can be found among
the lakes feeder creeks, flats and backwaters, places bathed
in constant sunshine, that feature loads of baitfish and fish
holding wood and weed cover.
So as you can see, lures you would use in both fishing main
river situations and targeting bass in feeder creeks and backwaters,
can vary tremendously. No different than when selecting lures
or fishing these lakes during the rest of the year. Including
the use of topwater lures.
Anytime I see a rising water temperature situation, I start
getting my tackle ready and this always includes rigging up
a few topwater lures. These winter waters on the Alabama River
can easily be in the mid 40's on any winter trip, prior to
these winter warming trends. Tough conditions for seeking active
bass, especially when trying to entice then to hit a well placed
topwater lure.
So wintertime anglers get accustomed to fishing Jones Bluff
Lake with lures that are drug slowly across the lakes bottom
or lures retrieved a little faster like spinnerbaits, crankbaits,
suspending jerkbaits and rattling, lipless crankbait lures.
But let the lakes water temperatures come up to 60 degrees
(almost 15 degrees warmer during winter warming trends), and
these same anglers fail to try a topwater lure.
These Alabama River / Coosa River / Tallapoosa River - mixed
breed of spotted bass - are mean! Like said many times before, " it must be something in the water! " They
will blast a walking type topwater lure like a Heddon Zara
Spook or Lucky Craft Sammie, when these conditions arise. A
warm, rainy front makes it even better! Main lake points, around
islands, flats, creek mouths and along rock bluffs, are all
big, spotted bass hangouts during the winter season on Jones
Bluff Lake.
The laying trees, logs, log jams, stumps, brush piles, rock
cover and various types of aquatic weeds all found in Jones
Bluff's many feeder creeks or along main lake banks, are also
good places to encounter some big, largemouth bass. Using these
previously mentioned lures and other lures like weedless lures
and various types of shallow water lures fished from top to
bottom...all throughout the winter season, works very well
during or following these winter warming trends on Jones Bluff
Lake!
Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! When making plans
to fish this lake or any lake in Alabama, year round.
Remember, a guided trip with Reeds Guide Service always makes
a great gift for such occasions as Birthdays, Fathers Day or
Christmas (certificates available), for those loved ones that
love to fish.
* Looking
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Go to: www.airportmarine.com and
see their bass tournament trail info found there. Alabama's best paying tournament
trails and annual events!
* Looking for a great bass tournament trail?
Go to: www.airportmarinetournamenttrail.com
* Looking for the best bass boat in the world?
Go to: www.rangerboats.com
* Looking for fishing rods, reels, fishing tackle and hunting items?
Go to: www.marksoutdoors.com
Have a safe and courteous spring fishing season! Always wear
your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch when boating.
Our Alabama lakes are crowded in the spring. Always be courteous
to other anglers!
Good Fishin'
This report provided by
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery
Radio Show
(205) 787-5133
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
