Winter Fishing Wheeler Lake
Lake draw down shows Wheeler Lake lacking the weeds that
upper Guntersville lake is so noted for. Wheeler lake, the
second largest impoundment in Alabama, makes up for this
very little greenery with wood and rock cover lake wide.
The lower section of the lake is fed by The Elk River. This
huge feeder river is loaded with huge log jams, brush, laying
trees and scattered stump rows.
A few resident built piers and rock bluffs make up the mouth
of this long, winding river where it enters Wheeler lake.
Dropped 4-5 feet for winter can scatter bass that were buried
up in aquatic weeds all through summer and early fall.
These fish, mostly largemouth bass, relate back to the wood
and rock cover that lies near deep water drop-offs. There
are some huge largemouth bass that roam shallow water (less
than five feet) in search of food, for they still must eat
during December, January, February and on into March.
Mid lake, many of these largemouth's have homesteaded the
hydrilla and milfoil this area is so noted for, for the duration
of summer and throughout the months of fall.
This was before December, when the lake has been lowered
for winter 4-5 feet and the cold nights of northern Alabama
have killed most shallow growing aquatic vegetation.
Most bass merely move to the nearest drop-off and cling
to whatever wood or rock cover or bottom irregularity they
find comfortable. Warming trends throughout the winter months
can trigger some fantastic shallow water angling when these
largemouth bass come to life with water temperatures in the
upper 50's to low 60's at times.
Smallmouth bass are known for being fooled around lower
lake points and rock bluffs during winter with lures from
top to bottom. Jerkbaits, crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits
and jigging spoons are just a few of the known lures that
are favorites for attracting bites from smallmouths in the
trophy-class range.
Finesse lures are at their best during winter with very
clear water and oftentimes sight-feeding finicky bass. Light
line and lures such as grubs, jigs, shad imitations, small
worms, crayfish, spinners, crankbaits and mini-sized topwaters
can be very enticing to these small-mouthed bass.
Rock bluffs, secondary ledges, small pebble points, and
main lake cover near deep water, are favorite haunts of these
hard-fighting brown bass. Check your reels drag, bring a
long handled net and sharpen all your hooks, your gonna need
em,' when tackling these hard fighting and tackle testing
smallmouth bass of Wheeler Lake.
* Or you can call always call on Reeds Guide Service (205)
787-5133 for fishing Wheeler lake or any Alabama lake, year
round!
* Looking for that perfect Christmas gift? Always call on
Reeds Guide Service! Birthdays, Fathers Day or any occasion,
for those loved ones that love to fish!
* Gift Certificates are available online by e-mailing alabassgyd@aol.com .
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Go to: www.airportmarine.com and
see their bass tournament trail info found there. Alabama's
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* 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
This
report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
