Winter Fishing on Lake Guntersville
Reed Montgomery
Are you just an average angler, or do you consider yourself to be a real trophy bass hunter? A trophy bass angler, is an angler that fishes for bass exceeding 10 pounds. He/she expects only a few bites on each outing. An average angler, usually expects to catch a lot of bass and many bass in the 5-6 pound class. Look at the variables, such as the weather you prefer (that plays a huge role in fishing during winter), your tackle selection, your rod and reels, preparation before a trip, how you approach your quarry, your fishing destination and you will see which class your in.
Although winter is thought of as a cold, miserable time to be fishing, there are many days when it seems like fall. Winter warming trends on Guntersville Lake warm the shallows and the bass become very active when the water heats up. Several consecutive days of warm weather can bring the water temperature up a few degrees. This is the time to plan a trip to Alabama's largest reservoir, Guntersville Lake. Especially for targeting trophy largemouth bass, those in a class all their own, bass exceeding that magical mark of 10 pounds. For those anglers that can go on a moments notice this is good. Many anglers can just load the boat and be fishing when its the right time to be there.
But for some anglers, planing a fishing trip weeks ahead, always includes unpredictable weather. So like the bass, these bass anglers running on a fit schedule, must adjust to changes in the weather. They must also adjust as well to the fact that they are average anglers or an angler looking for that trophy sized bass. There is a difference.
During winter many anglers are mislead by the weather. Guntersville lake bass are shallow water bass and often the cold fronts that discourage us, seem very mild to the bass down below. I've seen cold mornings in the 30's when they will hit a topwater lure, spinnerbait, fast running crankbait or rattletrap and floating worms and soft jerkbaits...all in water less than 3 feet deep, displaying water temperatures in the low 50's!
Many anglers have a set notion that bass on Guntersville Lake are inactive (or they go deep), when its cold. This can hold true, especially when severe cold fronts move in for several days and the water temperature continuously drops. Timing is everything in this situation. During winter anglers need to keep this thought in mind. Winter warming trends (several consecutive days of sunshine and mild nights) create rising water temperatures. As the water temperature rises, bass and the prey they dine on, become more active. When wintertime water temperatures have hovered in the upper 40's and then suddenly rise into the low 50's, the largemouth bass move into the shallows and feed. After a few days of sunny mild weather and unseasonably warm nights, there is usually a trailing cloudy or rainy period. Then it gets cold again, followed by bluebird skies. Its that simple.
Although fishing in the rain can be very miserable to many anglers, this is the time to be fishing for Guntersville Lake's trophy sized bass. Not 5-6 pounders, which are very common on Guntersville Lake. Were talking about those rare largemouth bass exceeding 10 pounds.
Huge bass on Guntersville Lake can be fooled into striking your lures during winter. I've seen 10 and 11 pounders hit topwaters from December on into February. These are big bass that have a big appetite and they eat more often than we think they do. These really big bass are more noted for being fooled during the spring spawning season (when they are shallow and very susceptible to being hooked by some anglers fake offerings) when bedding or spawning and eating is not always on their agenda each day. But big bass, bass that must eat to keep up their energy, do just that. They eat, with no reproducing habits to confuse them during winter.
So there are many reasons to consider "donning the old rainsuit this winter," when fishing Guntersville Lake. That is, if your looking for those rare trophy bass most anglers are seeking. For one, if you fish on a weekday and its raining, you can expect very little company. But this is good. Boat traffic, anglers pounding the shallows with a variety of lures every hour of the day, and bright sunny conditions, is what keeps most of these really big bass out of the shallows. These conditions can actually force the bass to be very inactive during the day. So, even during winter, most big bass feed at night, or they venture into the shallows during low light conditions, when few anglers are on the water, to feed unmolested. The darker the day, the more they roam around and feed. If constant heavy rains are evident, all day feeding can occur.
Even with all these variables in your favor, stealth (like any other time of the year), is still very important for success. That is, if your very serious about even having a chance at fooling a real, trophy sized bass. Approach your quarry in a very quiet manner. Cut off the outboard motor, far from your intended fishing destination. You can troll in close on high speed. But trolling motors should be on a low speed and kept there, once you start fishing. Avoid any sudden stop and starts or, abrupt changes to fast speeds on your trolling motor while in the shallows.
Big bass are very aware of their environment. They did not get that old by being caught with their guard down on every occasion. Those are bass now on some anglers wall. Noise travels much faster under water and they can detect even the slightest movement in their surroundings. So its up to you to fool them into striking. Still it does not come easy and preparation, like when your rigging your rods, takes time and is essential for success.
Rig you rods and prepare your boat before you leave home. Get everything organized and prepare for at least 30 minutes of undisturbed fishing. This means, not changing lures every 10 casts, sharpening hooks, putting new line on your reels, rambling through the storage box for rainsuits, hats, coats, etc. Or digging in the tackle box, eating, drinking or rambling through the ice chest for your favorite drink brand (more unnecessary noise), or other noisy habits, all that can wait.
In addition to being prepared prior to your trip, there are many variables that will weigh heavily in your favor, if your ready ahead of time. With big trophy bass there is no room for error. Organize your tackle box and check to see if you have all the lures you will need. This is necessary, so you will know where each lure or item you need is handy. All lures should have sharpened hooks (or replaced hooks), and make sure to tighten all screws on your reels. Check the reel seat to see if its tight on the rod and oil your reels. Check the drag on each reel and apply new heavy line to each reel. A good knot, stought rods and dependable reels and a good net and netman, completes this recipe for being prepared for those trophy bass of Guntersville Lake.
Lures? You name it. From top to bottom (just like any other time of the year) there are days when the bass of Guntersville Lake will hit any offering you can sling their way. Bring it all. Experiment. You don't know unless you throw. Leave the light tackle outfits at home.
Or you can call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133. "Catering to the novice, pro and trophy bass hunter, for over 30 years, fishing Guntersville Lake and every other lake in Alabama. Not just any guide service" Let me show you in one day what it took me a lifetime to learn"
Thanks and good hunting (trophy bass that is) this winter on Guntersville Lake.
This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishin
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