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Logan Martin Lake
SUMMER FISHING LAKE LOGAN MARTIN
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.comDecember 129, 2011
Water Temperature: Mornings 52 / Evenings upper 50's
Water Clarity: Clear main lake, some creeks stained
Air Temperature: High 62 / Low 30Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy all week. Highs - Low 60's / with cool mornings in the low 30's / warmer in the mid-60's and a chance of rain, Tuesday eveningSHALLOW LARGEMOUTH BASS ON WOOD COVER and SPOTTED BASS ON ROCKY POINTS ON ALABAMA'S LOGAN MARTIN LAKE
We launched at 6:00 a.m. and it was cold, with the boat covered in a thin sheet of ice.
The air temps that morning at dawn were 30 degrees, with water temperature at 52 degrees. But the sun came out and air temperatures quickly rose close to 60 degrees by midday, and just as suddenly, the lake's water temperatures ( flats, where we fished) rose close to 60 degrees. Running several miles down the lake, we did find some very cooperating bass, and on this day, several nice striped bass, and up in the day two very nice bass (our biggest bass almost twins) two largemouth bass, both weighing about 4 pounds! On a nice, partly cloudy, but rather warm day.
As we had launched the boat that morning, it was evident not only were we alone at the boat dock, but we were all alone on the lake as well. But it turned out to be a rather good day for bass fishing, size-wise! With very little company on each stop we fished. Not a lot of really big bass bites, but maybe about 15 bass in all.
But those bass that did bite were "well appreciated" especially early when it was a bit slow and still cold. While I once again I enjoyed fishing with the pleasant company of a "lake resident client" we will just call, "Jonathan", on just another day on Alabama's Logan Martin lake while fishing with Reeds Guide Service!
NOTE - Wintertime Low Water on Logan Martin Lake - Use Caution!
* Down almost 5 feet! Logan Martin Lake is perhaps the lowest it will drop this entire winter season. Before it is returned to normal, full pool lake levels in April.
As with any low water, man made impoundment, caution is advised for boaters (especially first timers) on Logan Martin Lake. The lake is 50 miles long, but there are many places found lake wide, that are now shallow with dangerous, underwater obstructions like road beds, rock piles and stump rows, that can damage your boat! So use extreme caution and watch your depth finder and what's up ahead!
Low water does have its advantages. It exposes this previously underwater wood and rock cover, places that bass will "back off" to, as the lake's flats, creeks, small cuts and pockets become exposed. It also bunches up both prey and predator in some very likely locations. Warming trends, sunny days and even spring-fed creeks only enhance this feeding activity. As waters warm so does the metabolism of each and every bass in that shallow water location. Which means...more feeding fish!
Lots of shad, bass busting and some very evident warmer water of 3-5 degrees warmer than the main lake, wind-blown, more current laden, deeper water areas, (which heat up much slower), these were our targets that day. Places out of the wind, that were bathed in water warming sunshine, from mid-morning to late evenings.
* Lures and Techniques - We fished mostly shallow, main lake flats and some small shallow creeks mostly in 1-5 foot depths, fishing around wood cover, around stumps, brush piles and piers. Slow or stop-and-go presentations elicited most strikes.
Shallow-to-mid diving shad colored crankbaits, swim baits, lipless lures, jig combos (brown on brown with pumpkinseed crayfish trailers), all white spinnerbaits and unbelievably, Jonathan had 3 nice spotted bass (including a three pounder) that nailed an all chartreuse buzz bait, while fishing around stumps around 10 a.m. All three of these Coosa River "spots" were caught in one location!
Sudden, mid-morning clouds helped that topwater bite! Later in the day 2 big, largemouth bass, both weighing about 4 pounds each, were both aroused into biting in water temps of 59 degrees with "reaction bites" from two very different lures.
One of those (very strong) four pounders hit a spinnerbait, while the 1/2 ounce lure was fluttered down, fishing parralel along a rocky, rip-rap rock bank in 5 feet of water.
Another four pound largemouth hit a Rapala No. 5 Shad Rap "Glass Rap" model crankbait (perch colored / orange and chartreuse) while Jonathan was fishing the crankbait with a slow stop-and-go (and bump), presentation. It hit the lure while he was fishing it between some piers, around exposed brush piles.
He first jerked, thinking the Shad Rap was hung and then a huge, largemouth bass took off heading for deeper water, as the screaming reel, (Jonathan's brand new Garcia reel), took drag! Not a real big bass, but to him, these were the two biggest largemouth bass he had ever caught on Logan Martin lake. Since he had moved there about one year ago!
* On Logan Martin Lake lake, even in late December with the lake's water cooling down and low water lake levels, there are always some cooperating bass to target!
Call today (205) 663-1504 or E-mail me alabassgyd@aol.com for more info. Or see my website www.fishingalabama.com for my guide service info, seasonal fishing tips and lake reports for all of Alabama's lakes, fishing articles, fishing links, pictures and more!
* WBRC FOX 6 T V "GOOD DAY ALABAMA" - Call in with your fishing questions (205) 741-7474 as Reed Montgomery answers with his, "Ask the Angler" question and answer session. Reed Montgomery (an Alabama native) is on this very popular morning T V show the last Tuesday of each month, he is on just after 8 a.m. Central time.
Reed has been on "Good Day Alabama' now for over 6 years on Birmingham's WBRC Fox 6 Television (seen state wide). Mark your calendar and make plans to tune in to "Good Day Alabama" morning show! Reed's next live appearance will be on Tuesday morning just after 8 a.m. November 29 of 2011!
* NEW! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE SOUTH'S BEST BARGAINS? - Check out www.bargainssouth.com A great discount website to find anything at a great low price! Order online! Christmas is not far away! Find those hard-to-find (and often very cute) gifts, for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones in your life..all at the best prices in the south!
* HUNTING AND FISHING - Check out www.marksoutsdoors.com for all your fishing and hunting needs! Great gifts for Christmas, now on sale!
* NEW AND USED BOATS - See www.airportmarine.com for new and used boats, end-of-year boat clearance sales, great parts department and expert mechanic work!
* BASS TOURNAMENTS - See www.airportmarinetrails.com Fall buddy trail now going on!
* FISHING TIPS, LAKE REPORTS, FISHING ARTICLES, BASS GUIDE SERVICE INFO AND MORE! - See www.bamabass.com
* WORLD'S BEST BASS BOAT - See www.rangerboats.com
Thanks and Good Fishin'!
Reed Montgomery / Outdoor Writer
Owner / Reeds Guide Service
Alabaster, Alabama (205) 663-1504
E-mail: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
" Over 40 Years Guiding, Fishing and Exploring Every Lake in Alabama For Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Striped Bass "
Always Call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
Alabama's Oldest Professional, Freshwater Fishing Guide Service!