Summer Fishing on Mitchell Lake
For such a small Coosa River impoundment, Mitchell Lake
is big on summertime bass fishing. This is easily determined
whether an angler is going after largemouth bass or targeting
one of Mitchell Lake's well known "fighting ball of fury" the
Coosa River spotted bass. At times both of these Mitchell lake
bass species can be found mingling together. Trophy-sized bass,
in both classes, any angler would be proud to battle with...even
in the hot summer time heat. An almost unbearable heat, that
will eventually be near 100 degrees again this summer.
I can remember one particular hot, summer day. A day that took place many years
ago. A day I'll never forget. When I caught the biggest Coosa River spotted bass
I have ever seen!
It was a very hot, fourth of July weekend. I was doing what
we anglers call, "just
fishing." Not practicing for an upcoming tournament, not even
actually fishing in a tournament or, as I have done dozens
of times before, not taking a client fishing to Mitchell Lake.
Just fishing. No pressure, in no hurry and no one in the boat
- but me.
It does not matter where I was fishing (Mitchell lakes headwaters),
and it really does not matter what lure this, "fish of a lifetime" was
caught on, although it just happened to be my favorite lure
and my favorite style of fishing. It was the end results of
this fantastic day. A day that any angler would love to have
shared with me, including a memory that now stands out in my
mind every time I fish Mitchell Lake.
No, I did not load the boat that day. As a matter of fact I had only caught 4
decent bass while fishing from dawn until about 10 a.m. that morning, when the
monster bass attacked.
On that hot, muggy mid-summer morning I was already soaked in sweat and to tell
the truth, I was contemplating a boat ride back down the lake just to cool off.
That was what I was thinking anyway...right before a big gizzard shad went skipping
across the surface of Mitchell lake's calm waters and I quickly fired off a long
cast. A well placed cast that landed right on target.
A loud explosion took place, quickly changing my mind about
leaving an area I had not got a bite during the previous hour.
My trusty topwater lure, the Jimmy Houston signature series, "Zara Super Spook" had
scored again. The fight was on. For minutes it seemed - when
actually it was only for a minute.
I knew I could depend on the over sized # 2 front and back (Gamakatsu) hooks
I had replaced on the 3 hook model spook earlier. Now, I was intently thinking,
if only the 20 pound test Trilene Big Game line held, my knot held up, the rod
did not break or the ABU Garcia 5500 reel performed well, as it had so many times
before. Maybe I could land this monster bass. I could actually see the fish in
the far distance. It had been a very long cast. But I still could not determine
whether or not it was a big spotted bass, largemouth bass or a huge, striped
bass.
Soon it was very evident as I wore down the forever memorable fish and I got
a real good look at the trophy sized bass for the very first time, as it rolled
up along side the boat exhausted (as I was), from the lengthy battle. A spot.
A huge spot at that! So fat, so big, I was actually thinking in terms of some
kind of record sized spotted bass. The biggest spotted bass I had ever hooked
into or even seen alive. I netted the fish and then took it back to Mitchell
lake's Higgins Ferry public boat launch to quickly get some pictures. After all
I was alone.
Weighing the huge spotted bass, I discovered it weighed 7 pounds and 4 ounces.
We took some pictures. To the disbelief of the on looking crowd, I walked down
to the waters edge and then rather reluctantly let the huge bass go, to live
and fight another day. To give another angler a very memorable day just like
mine.
So it is still possible for any angler to fool such a trophy spotted bass on
Mitchell Lake? I would say yes, for sure. I've heard of anglers catching even
bigger spotted bass. There are also some big largemouth bass on Mitchell lake,
some in the 10 pound class. But bass of this size still do not come easy. Most
anglers that frequent Mitchell lake (whether they fish during the day or at night),
have still not caught a spotted bass exceeding 5 pounds or a largemouth bass
exceeding 6 pounds.
They do exist, but like any lake you have to fish long and
hard to even hook into one. Getting it in the boat is another
objective. There are many tales of "the
big one that got away" most of which falls blame on angler
error. So first you have got to be ready.
New strong, dependable line should be changed on all reels, replaced hooks or
sharpened hooks on all lures and you should always tie a good knot. A good rod
and reel combo and a good net and netman, is all you need for this recipe for
success. That is, if everything holds and you successfully play down the bass
as well. This all takes patience and skill.
Mitchell lake is a small lake and it can get very crowded during the summer months.
Its just plain hard to get away from the crowds on such a small lake. But there
are times when less boats are on the water this summer season. Night fishing
will show less company. Fishing early around dawn can show 2-3 hours of peace
and solitude on weekdays. This goes for fishing during late evening hours when
the summertime crowds are usually leaving the lake.
Location, location, location. Choosing the right place to fish can have its rewards
or its downfalls. Being in the right place at the right time has shown many anglers
success, instead of failure, like when constantly fishing the same old spots
time after time. For one, I always mention Mitchell lakes headwaters.
Any angler knows moving water attracts feeding fish. The tailrace waters coming
off of upstream Lay Lake dam can attract all bass species during the summer.
Call 1-800-lakes-11 for summertime water generation schedules and be on these
spots in the lakes headwaters when the water is moving, from electricity generation
at the dam;
ISLANDS
You will see big towering islands bordered by deep drop-offs. There are also
some small flat islands in Mitchell lakes headwaters. Always fish both ends of
these islands and along the sides, especially banks with eddy areas or less current,
for feeding bass. Keep in mind, Airplane Island, the island closest to Lay lake
dam, receives the main flow of water and has lots of current around it. It is
also the first island the schools of washed in bait fish hit as they are swept
downstream.
POINTS
There are main lake points and points leading into flats, small cuts and pockets.
These points hold bass hiding in the slack water found here while awaiting and
easy to catch, washed in meal. Always fish both sides of points and along the
deeper ends. Even try to get your boat up on these points and then cast your
lures out deep, bringing your lures like worms, lizards and other bottom dragging
lures, up these points. This can be an approach for fooling some big bass, that
many anglers fail to even try
BLUFFS
Rock bluffs can be found in Mitchell lakes headwaters, along the mid lake area
and some bluffs are seen in Mitchell lake's major feeder creeks as well. Big,
old spotted bass, some big largemouth bass and an occasional striped bass can
be caught all summer long, while fishing along these rock bluffs. Look for irregular
features along these bluffs, places where both bass and bait fish can escape
the often swift current. Small pockets or broken-off, boulder strewn banks, are
very attractive to these prey and predator alike.
WEEDS
Although swift current does not allow aquatic weeds to grow near the Lay lake
dam area, al least not as much as downstream, there are some weeds worth investigating
in Mitchell Lakes headwaters. Largemouth bass are found within these weeds and
some big schools of spotted bass can be found cruising the weed edges, often
all day long. These weeds are places where being at the right place at the right
time can be possible. Returning several times to a likely looking weedy bank
can show active bass feeding, often in places you did not get a bite in earlier.
FLATS
Flats have edges, drop-offs or old river channel ledges, places that both spotted
bass and largemouth bass move up on and feed during summer. Along these shallow
flats are places they rest in deep water when they not very active. You can catch
bass of both kinds here. Usually at dawn bass are feeding here, also right when
the water is cut on they feed here and when its immediately cut off they feed
here as well. Also at night.
Look for bait fish and surface activity no matter where you fish on Mitchell
Lake this summer. Try lures fished on top, in mid depths and on the bottom. Also,
just like when fishing points, get your boat up shallow on these flats and then
throw your lures out in deeper water, dragging them up these deep drop-offs bordering
shallow flats.
Mitchell lake has plenty of places to explore this summer. Try new places. Don't
fish the same spots all the time expecting miracles. There are miles of feeder
creeks, many miles of weedy banks and loads of wood cover to decipher and rock
cover found lake wide. This goes for fishing during the day or at night. Lures?
Bring all you've got they hit anything in the summer.
* Looking for help on exploring Mitchell lake or learning to fish for bass and
stripers on Mitchell Lake? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Alabama's
oldest, freshwater fishing guide service. Mitchell lake's only professional guide
to call for spotted bass, largemouth bass and an occasional striped bass, year
round. Several guides and boats available for multiple parties and corporate
guided trips. Discounts available.
*
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
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 ."
