Lake Guntersville

Submitted by Alex Davis
SpinnerbaitKid.com

03/03/10-This report is for all of last week. Monday-Friday all were good days boating between 10-20 and one day had 30. Each day the bass seemed active most the day catching one here and there nothing really stacked up. Best baits were traps, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits in 3-6ft. Each day our best 5 was 18-22 lbs. Saturday had a small tourny out of Waterfront. The fishing was off with a very slow bite. Dad and I had 7 bites luckily they were the right bites as we had 24.1 lbs and won. All fish were caught in 6-8ft on traps. Sunday and Monday were both very slow days catching only 7 on each trip. Each day we had a qaulity bite but they were few and far between. I think once this weather gets back to normal the fish will really move up but right now its tough. I am booked for March. In April I have the 1st, 5th, 9th, and 20th. I am also booking for May.

Alex Davis
256-298-1178
Spinnerbait Kid Guide Service

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GUNTERSVILLE LAKE
By Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website www.fishingalabama.com

GUNTERSVILLE'S " BIG PRE-SPAWN BASS " ARE NOW ON THE MOVE!
Date: March 3, 2010

Lake Level: Down 1/2 foot
Water Temperature: 50 Degrees (and rising all this week w/ 60 degree water temps possible by next week)

Right now. This week! No where in the state of Alabama (on a man made impoundment), can a self pro-claimed, "trophy largemouth bass angler" have a better chance at fooling numbers of big bass, than while fishing on Alabama's largest, man made impoundment, Guntersville Lake.

There are literally hundreds of big bass (those exceeding 5 pounds in most anglers eyes), now cruising the lake's shallow, grassy flats. Holding and feeding in depths of 5 feet or less...just waiting for some savvy angler to discover!

Some huge largemouth bass -- those exceeding that seemingly almost magical mark of 10 pounds -- have already been taken earlier in January and February. That is by the angler that was fortunate enough to get these true, tackle-testing bass into the boat! Many did not.

So for those of you reading this lake report (those that do not know of me and my guide service, Reeds Guide Service), by now, I'm sure your probably pondering in your mind, "how does he know all this?"

"Knowledge of Guntersville lake" does not come from one source. You can achieve a lot of very useful fishing info on Guntersville lake while browsing the Internet, watching television and while reading magazines. But "experience" only comes one way. Putting in a lot of time and dedication.

For over 40 years as owner of Guntersville lake's oldest professional, "bass fishing only" guide service, you could say I have put in my time.

Every season all throughout those 40 plus years of fishing Guntersville lake, I've fished, explored and taken clients all throughout this 69,100 acre lake, with a dedication that can't be compared. Pursuing the biggest bass Guntersville lake has to offer. Usually taking people I've never met, in anticipation of seeing them well rewarded, with the bass of a lifetime! Many over 10 pounds. Some weighing up to 14 pounds!

RIGHT NOW, THIS WEEK
But let's get back to right now. This week. Predicted weekend highs for March 6&7th are expected to reach 70 degrees. For the first time this year!

This is when is soaring water temperatures begin to quickly rise into the low-to-mid 60's. Big, female bass begin to make their move towards the entire lake's shallow, weed infested, spawning grounds. By the next full moon (Monday, March 29), bass anglers could literally see pairs of bass cruising the shallows, both male and female bass preparing their beds and even some big female bass already bedding.

Trip #1
Just this week, while on two consecutive guided trips with Reeds Guide Service, I have seen clients catch over a dozen bass on each outing. This is very good, especially when compared to the months of January and February, when numbers of bass were lower.

On one trip earlier this week our five best bass would have gone close to 20 pounds. Not a bad day in anybody's book. Water temps were 45 degrees that trip. Air temperatures - Highs were near 45 and lows near 25 degrees. A cold, cloudy day.

Our biggest bass that day were 2 - four pounders and one weighing about 5 pounds. We wore jump suits all day and all 13 bass came on rattling lipless 1/2 ounce lures, fished on 20 pound test monofilament and fluorocarbon line, using 6-7 foot rods. Most bass fooled that day were caught in that 3 foot deep zone, around 1-2 feet of shallower water nearby. We lost several short strikers that day.Two real, rod benders!

Trip #2
Another much better day that took place this week, displayed much more aggressive bites, with our best 5 bass going close to 25 pounds! Not a lot of monster bass on this trip, only a few close to 7 pounds. But the sheer numbers of big bass (those exceeding 5 pounds), were astounding!

On this excellent day of fishing -- all anglers dream of -- while fishing in warmer water temps of 50 degrees, we had 3-five pounders, 2-six pounders and two more weighing close to 7 pounds! The sheer numbers of 2-4 pounders we saw, were lost in the count. In all, about 25 bass all caught in one day in 1-3 feet of water. We lost very few and some really did, just eat up our lures.

Again, rattling lipless lures accounted for the majority of these big bass. But on this trip we had a variety of very aggressive bites on other lures. Two of the biggest bass that day came on a suspending jerkbait and a white spinnerbait!

Many more of those bass were fooled on shallow diving, square-billed, shad colored crankbaits. Two came on a pearl colored fluke. One on a 3/8ths ounce black and blue jig and crayfish combo.

So keep in mind, be versital, mix it up, and don't forget to throw a topwater lure! These bass have not seen any in months!

It was still a cold weather trip this week with low 50 degree air temps by evening. But very comfortable from around mid morning to late evening with sunshine all day and light winds. We even shed a few jump suits and jackets by evening!

End
I'm hoping, with no more severe cold fronts, those daytime mid-to-upper 40 degree air temps will cease. Cold water temperatures will soon be gone. Its time for this harsh winter, that has had a grip on our nation, to be gone!

Welcome spring! A lot of anglers agree...its been a long, cold winter! Now, its time to go fishing!

Be safe and be courteous on our very crowded lakes this spring and upcoming summer season. And above all, practice CPR. Catch, Photo and Release. Let these bass go to live and fight another day. These bass depend on you for their survival!

* Looking for a new or used boat?
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.airportmarineteamtrail.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: marksoutdoors.com

Thanks and Good Fishin'

Reed Montgomery / Outdoor Writer
"Alabama Radio Show Host and Television Host For Over 10 Years"
Owner / Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Birmingham, Alabama
Email: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
" Over 40 Years Fishing, Guiding and Exploring Every Lake in Alabama for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Some Huge, Striped Bass ."

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Submitted by Tim Chandler
MildrillaFishing.com

1-22-2010  Friday’s trip cancelled so I went out with a good friend of mine. Water temps have rebounded nicely (47 degrees) and it’s got the fish feeding. We only got to fish for 4 hours due to other commitments but we sure wish we could have stayed all day. In the short time we landed 12 on Xcalibur rattlebaits and jerkbaits around grass in 5-7ft of water. We had a real nice best five. Also, had another 7 fish pull off or just knock slack in the line and not be there.  Amazing how they do that!  With all this rain the fish will be on the move and the bite will only get better. 

I have a couple days available this week and openings for February and March. Book early and get your preferred date.

Pic and release,

Tim Chandler
Tim Chandler's Pro Guide Service
256-655-8292
Mildrilla Fishing.com

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