By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
WEISSS
LAKE WINTER FISHING TIPS
Lake level (Late Feb) 3 feet down (Usually Full
pool by mid April.)
Water Temperature (Late Feb) mid-50's
Water Temps / March mid-60's
Water Temps / April-May mid-to-upper 70's
Weiss Lake is the first of six impoundments on Alabama's Coosa River System.
Its headwaters (the origin of the Coosa River System) begin in the northwest
section of Georgia. The lower portion of Weiss Lake has two dams. Weiss Lake
dam and the lakes power pool dam both drain the lake into Neely Henry Lake downstream.
Weiss Lake is a huge, 30,200 acre lake with over 447 miles of shoreline. From
the lakes headwaters at the Georgia state line to Weiss Lake dam is 34 nautical
miles. The lake is 47 years old.
Anglers visiting Weiss lake have three species of bass to target. Largemouth
bass, many of which weigh over 10 pounds have been taken in recent years. It
is not uncommon in the spring to see it take 5 bass weighing over 20 pounds to
win any major bass tournament. Weiss Lake also has a good population of Coosa
River spotted bass, a fighting adversary in any anglers book.
Striped bass, many weighing in excess of 30 pounds have been taken
on Weiss Lake recently. Weiss Lake is also herald as the " Crappie Capitol of the World," and
most anglers will agree after a trip to the lake to sample some
of its fine paper mouth crappie. Some crappie weighing over 4 pounds
have been taken in recent years.
Drought this past summer season showed Weiss Lake displaying lower lake levels
than ever been in summer's past. This low water lake level has now existed since
late spring, drastically slowing the lakes aquatic weed growth, some weeds of
which just withered and died in the 100 degree hot, summer sun. Even during the
fall season very little rain showed the lake still down several feet and little
or no weed growth.
Like any Alabama lake that displays lower than normal lake levels, navigation
can be very hazardous for boaters. With the lake currently down 5 feet extreme
caution should be exercised especially when navigating away from the well marked
river channel or the lakes many creek channels.
The lake has a lot of stumps left here during impoundment, including other wood
debris such as laying trees or floating logs. It also has rock piles, most of
which are normally submerged during full pool, but now visible or a boating hazard,
just beneath the waters surface.
Traditionally, during the winter season most anglers targeting the lake's largemouth
and spotted bass species avoid fishing the lakes headwaters. With good reason
too. The lakes headwaters can display clear to lightly stained water clarity
one day and be downright muddy, often just a few days later following winter's
heavy rains.
Current is increased in these narrow, lake headwaters and winter's very cold
days and nights can drop the water temperatures into the 40's. Cold, muddy water
is the worst condition an angler can face during the winter months.
Again, there is boat navigation. There have been many boats damaged and lower
units on outboard motors destroyed by inexperienced anglers attempting to navigate
these lake headwaters during low water conditions. So to avoid these mishaps
and many other problems associated with fishing or navigating Weiss lakes headwaters,
most anglers just stick with fishing and learning to navigate the boat in the
lakes mid to lower portion.
Fishing Weiss lakes mid to lower section during the winter months involves many
tactics, various types of lures, precise lure presentations and having plenty
of fishing holes located near deep water. Spring creek and Cowan creek, both
of which are situated in Yancey's bend just above the Hwy. 68 causeway crossing
are good places to target throughout the winter months for both largemouth bass
and spotted bass.
The mouths of both of these creeks have deep water drop-offs, the points leading
into these creeks are lined with stumps and this area in a main river channel
bend always displays plenty of washed in wood debris. There are resident planted
brush piles under piers, out in front of piers and along creek flats and main
lake flats, all of which are now visible with the lake down 5 feet for winter
pool.
Stained water in this portion of the lake heats up faster than the much clearer
water found downstream. This means much more active bass in shallow water during
the midday to late evening period. Just below the Hwy. 68 crossing at mid lake
there are two rivers that feed Weiss lake. Both of these rivers are a main influx
of incoming waters, but these are two totally different feeder rivers during
the winter months.
If your looking for big, largemouth bass, generally stained water conditions,
plenty of wood cover and warmer water during the winter months - then the Chattooga
River may be your choice. The mouth of the Chattooga River joins the Little River
on the main lake near massive, Hog Island. Then the Chattooga River twists and
turns along a marked main channel bordering a river flat, before it narrows down,
flowing under a new Hwy. 68 bridge lined with rip-rap rocks. This bridge is another
portion of Hwy 68 coming north out of the nearby town of Cedar Bluff.
From this Hwy. 68 bridge crossing keeping the boat at idle speed and your motor
trimmed up is highly suggested. Study your map and proceed with caution. From
here on up in the Chattooga River (that runs another 3-4 miles with a twisting
and turning river channel), are still good, wintertime depths of 10 feet deep
or deeper. Some deep winter holes, even with the lake down 5 feet, can often
show more than one big bass taking up residence here for winter.
You will see marked, PVC poles, wooden stakes or even steel re-barb protruding
from the waters surface, showing marked underwater stumps and river channel edges.
There are also deep outside river bends, and plenty of wood cover such as laying
logs, log jams, trees and resident planted brush piles for anglers to probe for
largemouth bass all throughout the winter season.
Another main lake feeder at mid lake is the Little River. It is totally different
than the shallow, wood laden waters of the Chattooga River. For one thing, its
water clarity. With this past summer's drought, not much rain during the fall
season, and then little rain during the early winter months, this portion of
the lake has become quite clear.
Besides normally, clear water conditions during the winter months, the Little
River is a cool, flowing river generally displaying colder water than the incoming
Chattooga River or the main lake itself.
But these can be good, wintertime conditions for anglers seeking those trophy
sized spotted bass and some big, striped bass. The Little River joins the Chattooga
River just behind Hog Island. Navigating a marked river channel, you will see
a twisting and turning Little River channel that lines a rocky, bluff type bank.
From here on up another mile or so is a stump lined flat with laying logs, trees
and stumps and a few piers close to deep water. Rock bluffs are clearly visible
(as you idle your boat) in the far back end of the Little River flats. These
bluffs are the last deep water in the Little River area during low winter pool.
Besides the lake's headwaters, incoming feeder creeks and these two feeder rivers...
there are still plenty more places for bass anglers to explore on the Weiss Lake
this winter season.
But always keep in mind, even with the lakes deepest water available on the lower
lake region, navigating the boat with caution is advised.
Rip-rap rocks are found all along Weiss Lakes main lake bridges, its many rock
lined causeways and all along the lakes lower dams. These rocks heat up during
the sunny, winter days and they can hold bass of all species all throughout the
winter months. The lakes power pool is like a small lake all in itself. During
winter warming trends, several consecutive warm days and nights can show this
water heat up fast, creating some fast, but short time wintertime bass action.
* Looking to fish Weiss lake soon? Getting ready to fish a bass tournament on
Weiss lake? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! We cater to the pro,
novice and anglers that want to learn to fish for bass and stripers! Guiding
on Weiss lake and other Alabama lakes for over 30 years. Several boats and guides
available year round for multiple parties and corporate guided trips. Discounts
available. E-mail me at alabassgyd@aol.com or
call Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133 in Birmingham, Alabama.
* 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.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
Thanks and Good Fishin'
Reeds Guide Service "Alabama's Oldest Professional Fishing
Guide Service"
Reed Montgomery / Outdoor Writer
" Alabama Radio Show Host and Television Host For Over 10 Years "
Owner / Reeds Guide Service Phone (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 ."
