WEISS LAKE MARCH 2005

Early Spring on Weiss Lake

Weiss Lake is considered by many anglers to be the best lake on the Coosa River System to show a chance at connecting with a true, trophy largemouth bass. Those rare bass in a class all their own, usually exceeding 10 pounds. Here's some tips to aid you in your quest for that huge bass this Spring on Weiss Lake.

March / Prespawn Time on Weiss Lake

Although the weather is of main concern for most anglers, big prespawn bass are on the move all throughout the month of March. Weiss Lake (now 44 years since impoundment), is situated on the Coosa River System originating in the lakes headwaters out of Georgia, flowing into south Alabama.

Records show, some of the year's biggest largemouth bass, those exceeding the magical mark of ten pounds, are taken by some fortunate angler lake wide, during the month of March.

Rain, strong winds and severe cold fronts have plagued anglers during years past, all throughout the month of March. So expect sudden changes in the weather and plan your trips accordingly (or get used to it), for heavy rains, strong winds exceeding 20-30 M.P.H. and severe cold fronts often showing nighttime lows dipping below 30 degrees, can ruin even a well planned fishing trip.

If these prevailing conditions do occur on the day of your planned outing then adjust, its all you can do to make the best of it. Heavy rains, those constant downpours of more than one day or more than 2-3 inches, can swell the lake and scatter bass in the newly flooded shallows.

The lakes headwaters, major feeder creeks and incoming rivers are muddy and the places to avoid immediately following these heavy spring rains. But keep in mind, the backs (the headwaters) of these major influx of water, can clear real fast and often show feeding bass, immediately catchable following heavy spring rains.

If all you can find is stained to muddy water conditions, keep in mind that stained water coupled with warm days and warm nights, can quickly warm the shallows. In the early part of spring these warming trends can show bass immediately become active. They can turn on and feed heavy or ideal conditions can move both male and female bass into the shallows in numbers, as they prepare to spawn. This especially holds true when bass are feeding, cruising and preparing to bed, under the security of stained to muddy water conditions.

During heavily stained to real muddy water conditions, anglers must look for the clearest water available, in accordance with plenty of baitfish activity and bass-holding cover. Even if it means only fishing the mid-to-lower part of the lake, which is traditionally clear most the year.

Finding the warmest water available in any given area you choose to fish, is also very important for success. Always keep in mind, although you may be forced to fish it, stained water warms faster than clear water. The particles in the stained water hold heat, thus showing more active bass.

Water that is stained for days and exposed to lots of daily sunshine, will warm as much as 5-10 degrees faster, than very clear water. Especially stained water around shallow cover in small pockets out of the wind, and calm places both bass and baitfish congregate in, that face the sunshine all day from early morning to late evenings.

Lures are very important as well and lure choices can be limited. With the lake still down 2-4 feet (or more) for the entire month of March, the lake is still lacking any weeds, until mid to late April. Unless there is a mossy bottom, most bass will still be relating to rock or wood cover. Places these bass have called home for the last six months.

Spinnerbaits are excellent lure choices year round, and March is no exception when it comes to attracting big bass bites. All spinnerbaits have the same bass attracting qualities. Flash and vibration are very evident features found in all model spinnerbaits.

There are also as many color choices with various blade types and hues, 2-4 colored silicone skirts, and various types of spinnerbait add on trailers, displaying some highly visible colors as well. All spinnerbaits are good for attracting big prespawn bass bites both during stained water conditions and even in clear water conditions.

The more stained the water, the bigger the spinnerbait profile should be. Blade sizes of #5 to #8 may be needed on 1/2 to 3/4 ounce spinnerbaits. Oversized trailers should always be added, as an extra enticer to aid the bass in tracking down the lure.

This in turn calls for the use of heavy monofilament line (or braided line) in the 15-20 pound test category. Stought equipment is a must, with medium-heavy action rods of 6 to 6 1/2 feet in length and wide-spooled reels to handle the large amount of space robbing, thick diameter line.

There are as many lure choices as well, when it comes to choosing different spinnerbait models and name brands, and most anglers have at least a few pet lures of their own. But some innovative lure manufactures keep on coming up with new ways to fool bass with these flashing, shining oddities that looks nothing like anything they eat!

Two new spinnerbaits, one that was revealed a few years back "The Duce Duel Arm Spinnerbait" and another spinnerbait, the first of its kind and new for 2005, "The Phase 2 Spinnerbait," are both made by B & M Bait Company, out of Alabama. Most anglers have never even seen either one of these spinnerbait models, but each and every angler must at least give each model a try, for they do catch bass!

These unique spinnerbaits (and other lures and fishing products) can be seen and bought at local tackle stores found statewide or ordered online at B & M Bait Company's Internet Website: www.theduce.com

I can honestly say they do fool bass (with a different look), bass that have seen a lot of regular type spinnerbaits. I have fished both models and caught largemouth bass exceeding 7 pounds on both model spinnerbaits. Spotted bass from 4-5 pounds, largemouth bass 7 pounds and smallmouth bass up to 5 pounds on the Duce Spinnerbait. Recently, I tried their new "Phase 2 Spinnerbait" and I caught a 7 1/2 pound largemouth on it on Alabama's Lay Lake (pictures on my website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com soon).

So there you have it, just a little on Weiss Lake for Spring bass fishing in 2005! Watch for more Weiss Lake reports, for more on Spring Bass fishing in Alabama by Reed Montgomery...coming soon! If you ever need a guide on Weiss Lake or any Alabama Lake, always call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133...first!

Thanks, be careful on our low water lakes in March and always practice catch and release. The future of bass fishing depends on you!

*NOTE*
Reed Montgomery's, "Bass Class"
and "Summer Kids Fishing Camp"
Starting this Summer / June 2, 2005

"BASS CLASS"
Every Thursday Evening / June-August 2005
Hours: 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P. M.
Bessemer State Technical College
Registration Information Contact: Claudia Burgin (205) 426-7438
E-mail: cburgin@bstc.cc.al.us

*NOTE*
Reed Montgomery's
"KIDS SUMMER FISHING CAMP" (Ages 6 and up)
Monthly, on-the-Water Classes
Held at Bessemer State Technical College
Monday, June 20, 2005 / 9-11 a.m.
Saturday, July 9, 2005 / 9-11 a.m.
Monday, August 1, 2005 / 9-11 a.m.
Registration Information Contact: Claudia Burgin (205) 426-7438
E-mail: cburgin@bstc.cc.al.us

This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"Celebrating 6 Years on the Radio / January 1999 to January 2005"
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Always Call on Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com