A day of guiding on the lake had just begun when the cell phone rang. A voice said, "Charlie, this is Mark. I need a crappie story for a TV spot." I responded, "When?" He answered, "By Wednesday." I said, "Man you got to be kidding. That's tomorrow there's no way." He responded, "How about next Wednesday then?" I replied, "Now we can handle that."

Little did I know at that time, I would have to rely on the weather guru Mark Prater! The night before, the weather forecast was strong thunderstorms with heavy rain for Wednesday morning. Sure enough Wednesday morning there was thunder, lightning and rain.

I called Mark at 8 a.m. and was amazed he was already at the store. He said, "Don't worry. Prater says the rain will move out by nine or ten o'clock." As a guide and avid fisherman I will have to admit, Prater you finally got it right! At 10:00 a.m. the sun was shining, there was no wind, and no rain, and we got what we need for Prater's outdoor segment. Mark took a nap and Prater and I did the fishing.

Crappie season this year had its ups and downs with floods, wind, muddy water, clear water, low-lake levels and full-lake levels, but overall we had a great season. Now its time to focus on the shellcracker and bluegill. I've already had several trips booked and a catch of 78 shellcracker and bluegill mixed on Lake Guntersville.
Squirrel tail jigs tipped with a cricket in three to five feet of water seems to be the key. Bass are in a pre-spawn pattern on Guntersville, Neely Henry and Weiss. Good fish to five pounds are being taken on chrome blue Rattle Traps, spinnerbaits, jerk baits and lizards. Water temperatures are in the upper 60's to 70 degrees.

For a great guided fishing trip on Guntersville, Neely Henry or Weiss this summer or in the spring call C"&"B North Alabama Guide Service located in Boaz. Boaz is the shopper's paradise and just minutes away from either of these fine lakes. Call for fishing guide trips at: 256-593-7249 (home) or 256-572-6217 (cell phone), or contact Marks Outdoor Sports.