Spring
Fishing Lake Jordan
Impounded 1928
For details about Lake Levels call: 1-800-LAKES-11
Lake level down 2 feet.
Probably the best spotted bass lake on the Coosa River System.
Many anglers have felt the wrath and fighting fury, of the
mighty Coosa River spotted bass of Jordan Lake, Impounded
in 1928. But Jordan Lake has numerous largemouth's, some
twice as big as most spotted bass. Many linestretching large
heads are taken during spring (often more than one per day),
some in the 58 lb. class...by those who know the fertile
spawning waters of Jordan Lake.
Jordan Lake in March
Looking for spots or largemouth's? Spotted Bass, are from
the lakes headwaters at Mitchell lake dam to the lower
Jordan lake dam. Rock bluffs, huge boulderstrewn banks,
red clay bottoms, main lake points, irregular banks, riprap
and old roadbeds, all harbor huge schools of these cold
water, currentloving, Coosa River breed of Spotted bass.
Points leading into the mouths of creeks and pockets are
good prespawn search areas for active schools of Spotted
bass.
Fastmoving lures will get the anxious bites these open water
bass are so noted for. Deepdiving crankbaits such as Pradco's
Fat Free Shad, Spro's deep diving crankbait's, Bomber ModelA
series and Rapala's deep diving, No. 78 Shad Raps, are all
excellent choices and most get down in the 10 foot depths,
with 1415 pound test monofilament line.
Even
crankbait lures running in the midrange depths, tackle
hardtocatch suspended bass. Models such as Spro's Crankbait
25 series, Fat Crank 20 & 30 series,
Rapala's No.5 Shad Raps and Norman's Little n' series,
are all good choices to cover the 57 foot depths, these
prespawners often hold in. Spinnerbaits, attract both suspended
largemouth bass and spots holding near the bank. Topwaters
such as the Zara Super Spook, Excaliber Spittin' Image
and buzzbaits, all attract the BIG bass bites in March.
These bass are usually along the first and secondary points
leading into prime spawning habitat.
The largemouth's of Jordan lake all prefer weed, rocks and
wood cover in March. These shallow water bass will inhabit
13 feet of water, usually when conditions are following a
weeklong warming trend, with an approaching rainy front.
If a full moon occurs near the end of March, with water temperatures
near 70 degrees, bass of both species will spawn early. If
cold fronts drop the water temperature, followed by several
cold days and nights, accompanied by bright, bluebird, highpressure
conditions, the spawn will be delayed until early or mid
April. Anglers will have to slow their presentation as well.
Jordan Lake in April
There are not many feeder creeks with huge, spawning flats
in Jordan Lakes first 10 miles, from the lake headwaters,
downriver. Spotted bass spawn a little deeper and prefer
rock slabs, secondary ledges along rock bluffs and small
pebble points. They are in comfortable surroundings in
these lake headwaters.
Largemouth's make do with whatever stable backwater conditions
they can find during April. They often spawn in obscure places
such as on flat rocks, on top of a cut off stump, or even
on submerged laying logs, beneath the water's surface. Many
bass fan out beds in sandy bottom and in and around weed
beds. Spotting these rounded out bedded circles, only involves
searching clear water, with the trolling motor on medium
to high, cruising and looking. Of course you must be aided
by the use of a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. See:
www.flyingfisherman.com for a variety of styles and they
are quality sunglasses for spotting bass, beds and underwater
cover. Cruising bass will roam an area as big as 1035 feet,
away from the bed, when bedding. That is, if other bass beds
are not around. Smaller territory, and many beds in one area,
means less roaming and more bass, crowded together on one
bank.
Downriver on Jordan Lake, creeks such as Weoka Mill Creek
and Blackwell's Creek, are more suited to the largemouth's
spawning habitat. Weeds harbor big bass in April in these
lower lake feeder creeks. Also look along main lake stump
flats, around islands, mainlake points and riprap areas for
spawning bass, usually these places are not targeted as much
by the average springtime angler.
Jordan Lake in May
When Spotted Bass have commenced with the rituals of spawning,
feeding becomes their number one priority. Schooling will
now take place below upper Mitchell Lake dam in Jordan
Lakes headwaters. This frantic topwater action can also
be found in the mouths of feeder creeks and up in small
pockets. Up in the creeks, flats will show more than one
school of spotted bass, usually feeding during the early
morning period. Late in the day, when water is generated
or during cloudy or overcast periods, are also prime times
for these bass. Largemouth's get in on the action to, when
schooling takes place in May. Often they are right in with
the spotted bass, competing for baitfish in these creek
backwaters, lake headwaters and along spawning flats.
Weeds play a huge role, now that several aquatic varieties
are in full bloom. Bass inhabit this highly oxygenated green
growth during May. Many bass just remain in the general vicinity,
of where they previously spawned, for the remainder of the
Summer.
Lures that mimic baitfish are nailed during these times.
Weedless spoons are good when bass are feeding on shad in
these weeds. Buzzbaits, topwaters, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits,
always generate a few bites. On highly pressured waters,
try fishing with bright colored floating worms, soft plastic
jerkbaits, floating lizards, frogs, rats and crayfish imitations.
This will give the bass a different look. These fake offerings
are all good choices, along with other offthewall lures,
lures that bass are not accustomed to seeing, by late May
on Jordan Lake.
Want to learn more about fishing for bass on Jordan Lake
this spring? Or learning to fish any Alabama Lake year round?
Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
"Jordan Lake's oldest, professional guide service, fishing
and guiding on this lake for over 30 years." Several boats
and professional guides available for multiple parties or
corporate guided trips, year round.
Fish Jordan Lake this spring season and discover the Coosa
River Spotted bass action to be found in these lake headwaters.
But also explore the lakes wood cover and weedbeds for some
big largemouth bass exists here as well.
Or call on Reeds Guide Service...first! (205) 787-5133 "Fishing
and guiding on Jordan Lake and other Alabama Lakes for over
40 years." Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide
Service also makes a great gift for Birthdays, Father's day
or for Christmas (certificates available), for those loved
ones that love to fish.
* Looking for a new Bass Boat? See: www.airportmarine.com Also check out their tournament trail info found there. The
best paying bass tournament trail in Alabama!
* Looking for the worlds best bass boat? Go to: www.rangerboats.com
Good
Fishin'...
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
