By
Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
Fall Bass Fishing on Smith Lake
Smith Lake is a deep, clear man made reservoir situated in northwest Alabama
on the Sipsey fork of the Warrior River System. It is now nearing 50 years since
its impoundment. How deep is Smith Lake? As most Alabama anglers know, deeper
than any other reservoir in Alabama, like 300 feet deep! At 21,200 surface acres
of water (at full pool) and over 500 miles of shoreline...that's a lot of water
to explore this fall and winter seasons.
The lake level during the late fall / winter period is traditionally
low. Smith Lake has been drawn down even lower, with the lake
down for winter pool as low as 30 feet in the past. So you
would think, "what does 30 feet down do to hurt
the fishing on a lake with 200-300 foot depths"? Not much.
The schools of spotted bass and largemouth bass (that are just a couple of fish
species that make up this huge lake) easily adjust to falling water levels. They
are used to fluctuating lake levels on this lake (up or down) and besides, there
are many factors that drive them towards deep water. Most of these bass are already
relating to deep water due to this summers drought, 3 weeks of 100 + degree air
temps, water temps of 90 degrees, little or no rain for months, recreational
water vehicles and boaters lake wide and some very clear water as well.
All of these negative fishing factors showed daytime bass fishing for both spotted
bass and largemouth bass really slow down in July and August. Night fishing was
the only way for anglers to go with air temperatures of 105 degrees in late August.
But with the coming of fall it always gets better on Smith Lake. Unknown to many
anglers that just plain miss this opportunity on Smith Lake, due to them usually
fishing on other lakes they are more comfortable with.
Or some "would be anglers" have duties like watching football,
hunting and getting their children back in school. So if you
have not fished Smith lake during this period from late September
on into December, you may want to take out some time and do
so. There is also some excellent bream fishing, cat fishing,
crappie fishing, white bass and striped bass fishing to be
had on Smith Lake.
As waters cool the fishing for all these species gets even
better. But the bass get a lot of attention from tournament
anglers and trophy bass hunters alike. Keep in mind there have
been largemouth's over 10 pounds and some up in the "teens" taken
on Smith Lake in past fall and winter seasons. Also five of
the past world record size spotted bass have been taken out
of Smith Lake.
* Here's a few lures and suggestions, places to target, fishing techniques and
fishing factors that will increase your catch on Smith Lake. These are tips for
targeting both spotted bass and largemouth bass on this lake during the fall
and early winter period;
Spotted Bass
Smith Lake is made up of thousands of schools of spotted bass. Unlike the homebodies
the largemouth bass, these feisty little fighting bass roam the lake in huge
wolf packs in search of an easy meal. They are usually following the bait fish
schools around and feeding on threadfin shad and gizzard shad.
Or spotted bass can roam the lake searching the shallows for other meals like
small catfish, crappie, bedding bream and crayfish. They may feed on small worms,
eels, snakes, small minnows, insects and other small prey. So lures that look
similar to these smaller meals they feed on work very well in Smith Lakes clear
waters. Spotted bass do have a small mouth and they may prefer to feed on meals
that are small, especially when compared to the feeding habits of the notoriously
labled, largemouth bass, some of which can easily devour a one pound shad.
But don't rule out fishing for spotted bass with oversized lures. They can be
taken with big, oversized lures usually reserved for fishing for stripers or
largemouth bass. Lures like big worms or jig combos fished on bottom, or oversized
floating and suspending model jerkbaits, big gaudy spinnerbaits and zara spook
topwater lures can fool even the weariest of spotted bass. Trophy sized spotted
bass on Smith lake in the 5-9 pound class have been taken on lures you would
think they would refuse, due to the lures being to big.
Largemouth Bass
The largemouth bass of Smith lake get little recognition. Most anglers visiting
this lake for the first time have spotted bass or striped bass on their mind.
But ask any local about largemouth's of the trophy size and most will tell you
they do exist. I have seen a few 9-10 pound largemouth's and heard of a 13 pound
largemouth bass taken many years back on Smith Lake. There are plenty of largemouth's
in the 3-5 pound range in this lake.
They are surprisingly shallow, found in the fall season hanging around wood cover
like laydown trees, logs, stumps and brush. Rocky points or rock bluffs featuring
wood cover are attractive to Smith lakes largemouth's or if an angler can fish
whatever piers and boat houses are still in the water at low pool. These largemouth
bass can be fooled with topwaters like buzzbaits and zara spooks, sammies or
over sized poppers. Or they may be very skittish due to water clarity and hit
smaller topwaters like baby torpedoes, pop-r's, the spittin' image, the poppin'
image or very small buzzbaits.
As fall rains increase on Smith Lake the mid-to-far back ends of major feeder
creeks and the lakes headwaters will display current and a stained look to the
water. This gives these feeding bass a feeling of security, especially when compared
to them swimming around in very clear and deep water, so they move shallow to
feed. This is when spinnerbaits are excellent lure choices. So are crankbaits,
floating and suspending jerkbaits and a whole list of Texas rigged worms, Carolina
rigged worms and small finesse worms fished on jig heads, all that will fool
both spotted bass and largemouth bass as waters cool and winter approaches.
Give Smith Lake a try this fall and winter season. Or call on Reeds Guide Service
and see how to fish this lake... that often stumps many other anglers. Keep in
mind a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service makes a great surprise gift
for Birthdays, Fathers Day or Christmas (certificates available), for those loved
ones that love to fish.
* Looking for the worlds best bass boat? See: www.rangerboats.com
* Need a new or used boat? Go to: www.airportmarine.com and
see their tournament trail link there too.
* Looking for fishing tackle, rods, reels, fishing equipment
or hunting items? See www.marksoutdoors.com
Be careful when boating on our very crowded lakes this summer!
Reed Montgomery
/ Outdoor Writer
"Alabama Radio Show Host and Television Host For Over 10 Years"
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing, Guiding and Exploring Every Lake in Alabama for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Some Huge, Striped Bass "
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
