By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
HOLT LAKE FALL FISHING
Holt Lake is one of those lakes in mid Alabama that you just don't hear many
anglers discuss. Bankhead Lake to the North and Lake Tuscaloosa and Demopolis
Lake to the South, get more recognition. This long and winding Warrior River
System starts at Smith Lake and goes all the way to South Alabama. Holt Lake
is right in the middle.
So why is Holt
Lake not a very popular lake with Alabama anglers? One reason
being, lakes that exhibit unusual, tough fishing conditions --
four seasons out of each year -- are usually shunned by the very
knowledgeable anglers. Anglers that are tempted to look elsewhere,
for a "tug on their line" where
bass fishing is often much better than Holt Lake.
On the Warrior River System you have two types of impoundment's,
among almost a half dozen man made reservoirs, some lakes that
were impounded almost 100 years ago. Smith Lake, Lake Tuscaloosa
and Holt Lake display some rather deep depths in each reservoir,
some reaching over 100 feet deep. Bankhead Lake and Demopolis Lake
are more flatland lakes displaying an average main river depth
of only 30 feet, with some deeper holes reaching 50 feet or more.
So as you can see, if you have ever had the pleasure of fishing
Smith Lake or Lake Tuscaloosa you can relate to why Holt Lake is
often a tough lake as well, for even the best of Alabama's anglers
to try and figure out. But these bass are catchable bass during
the fall season and your success rate is usually (more than likely),
going to be higher during the fall season as waters cool and often
on into the early winter period, than during other seasons. Heres
why.
As fall approaches it is a very welcome sight to these Warrior
River spotted bass and the healthy population of big, largemouth
bass, all living within the 18 miles of Holt Lake. These bass have
had to deal with two major problems on Holt Lake (and other Alabama
Lakes as well), this past summer season.
One "big problem" that
seemed like it would never go away was the hot, midday 100 plus
degree heat (August showed a two week period in the low 100's
with no rain), Alabama had to endure during the latter part of
this past summer. With very abnormal temperatures and no rain
comes another problem. Drought.
With drought, comes low water on all of Alabama's Lakes and Rivers.
Holt Lake suffered as well as the others, with the lake often down
a few feet, when it should be full pool. But like said, fall is
the best season to explore Holt Lake.
As waters begin
to cool the so noted Holt Lake spotted bass begin to gorge themselves
on baitfish schools, instinctively fattening up for the upcoming
winter season. Unknown to many Alabama anglers (some that have
never even sampled Holt Lake's waters, those that seek their
trophy sized spotted bass elsewhere), there are some 6-7 pound "spots" here
as well.
Fall is a good time to connect with one of these monster spotted
bass. Often the years biggest spotted bass are taken in the fall
and early winter period on this lake on lures such as topwaters,
spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Many of these huge, spotted bass are
deep water oriented and they have spent the past scorching summer
either suspended out over deep water feeding on passing by baitfish
schools, or some really big spotted bass often go deep on Holt
Lake during the summer.
They may be found in deeper depths of 50-100 feet deep, possibly
feeding on bottom traveling meals, like crayfish. As waters cool
these bass follow the baitfish schools into the shallows. They
often travel far up in feeder creeks and can be found franticly
feeding along main lake flats, points, islands, rock bluffs and
especially around points leading into the mouths of creeks.
The largemouth bass of Holt Lake were relocated this summer as
well. Low water pulled many largemouth bass from their weedy homes
to the safety of deeper water. There were some weeds that rejuvenated
themselves even with the lakes low water. New growing aquatic weeds,
then made some new, green, oxygen rich homes for these largemouth
bass to bunch up in, as air temperatures reached 105 degrees in
late August and shallow water temperatures were in the low 90's.
Either that or these bass had to travel Holt Lake in search of
a new home in or near deep water or hang around some new form of
wood and rock cover. Many bass just plain became scarce and very
hard to locate this past summer. So as waters cool and falls incoming
rains possibly swell the lake back to full pool, the bass will
invade the shallows of Holt Lake and fishing will get better the
cooler it gets.
If you would
like to learn more about Holt Lake or any Alabama Lake always
call on Reeds Guide Service...first! "Growing up fishing
on the Warrior River System and then branching out (throughout
a lifetime), fishing every lake in Alabama for over 40 years." Remember
a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service also makes a great
gift for Birthday's, Father's Day and Christmas (certificates available),
for those loved ones that love to fish.
* For more on Holt Lake and other Alabama Lakes; see seasonal,
fishing tips and lake reports links found on my website: www.fishingalabama.com
* For info on Reeds Guide Service / " Alabama's oldest freshwater
guide service, guiding on every lake in Alabama for over 40 years ",
see the guide service link found at: www.fishingalabama.com
* Looking for a new or used boat? See www.airportmarine.com Also
see their tournament trail link found there. Alabama's best paying
tournaments!
* Looking for the worlds best bass boat? See: www.rangerboats.com " Celebrating
40 years of making fine, quality boats ".
* Fishing or hunting items? See www.marksoutdoors.com ...for
all your outdoor needs!
Thanks and be safe on our very crowded lakes this summer!
