Smallmouth Trophy Bass During Winter on Alabama's Wilson and Pickwick Lakes By Reed Montgomery
" FISHING FOR BIG, TROPHY-SIZED SMALLMOUTH BASS THIS WINTER SEASON ON ALABAMA'S TENNESSEE RIVER IMPOUNDMENTS, WILSON LAKE AND PICKWICK LAKE "
By Reed Montgomery
The month's of January and February are not often thought of as the best months (as far as winter weather goes), for going fishing for any species of freshwater fish. Many, not-so-die-hard fair weather anglers, would rather wait for better conditions and for much warmer more "spring-like weather" like that near 70-80 degrees.
But then there's those "trophy smallmouth bass anglers" an entirely different breed of angler. Those bass anglers that will usually brave the cold, winter weather (and often brutal conditions), just for a chance at that, "one big bass bite of a lifetime."
Presumably, a tug on the other end of their rod that few anglers have ever experienced. Followed by the jumping acrobatics exhibited from a big, trophy-sized smallmouth bass!
A trophy bass of a life time! Taken of course in north Alabama on one of the state's most notorious "trophy brown bass waters", Wilson Lake and Pickwick Lake's, both located on the Tennessee River System in North Alabama.
Both of these lakes are loaded with big smallies waiting to be discovered during the winter season here in north Alabama, all throughout the months of January and February. Then, you have pre spawn smallmouth bass in these lakes in the month of March
But, keep in mind it does not have to be cold, miserable weather, to consider planning a fishing trip for big smallmouth bass either!
Not to imply "winter warming trends" are not good times and good weather for seeking out those often rare, trophy-sized smallmouth bass as well!
Not when a well-placed and well-maneuvered topwater lure like the famed, "James Heddon Zara Spook" can entice some very vicious topwater bites, no bass angler could refuse!
* Wheeler Lake Dam and Wilson Lake Dam These tail race waters are known for harboring big, smallmouth bass during the Winter months. Its just a matter of, "being at the right place at the right time" which includes, fishing for both smallmouth bass and largemouth schools of bass during any types of wintertime conditions.
The kind of wintertime nomadic bass, that can be here today and gone tomorrow!
So, never fail to include these lake headwaters in your well planned game plan, while fishing various types of lures from top to bottom generally in water less than 15 feet deep. As each day's conditions calls for experimenting with all types of lures and presentations!
Below either massive, Wheeler lake dam discharge waters in Wilson Lake's headwaters, or if you choose to go downstream, fishing the headwaters of Pickwick lake in a much smaller scenario, while fishing below much smaller Wilson Lake dam.
Either way, both of these current-laden spots are really going to bring in the big bass this winter season, bass that often feed here daily! Just be there.
Rock Bluffs, Barge Tie-Ups and Major Feeder Creeks Although many wintertime anglers target big, smallmouth bass in these lake's headwaters, there are other locations to explore. Such as along the lakes many miles of rock bluffs and other preferred out-of-the current locations, like along main lake points and around any barge tie-ups.
Feeder Creeks These types of places can have an influx of heavy winter rain, often lasting for several days. First, these creeks get muddy and often they exhibit lots of incoming current. Places that are very hard to fish, much less get a bite!
Cold, muddy incoming feeder creeks are always bad to places to consider fishing anytime your faced with these types of adverse conditions on any lake in Alabama. Usually running off any would-be anglers in the process of them getting no bites at all.
But, if you return to these types of incoming major influxes of water afterwards, its often a smorgasbord of incoming edibles like minnows, crayfish and bait fishand the bass seem to know it. Feeding heavy with little or no interruptions!
Often, you can have the entire creek all to yourself, discovering loads of bass that other anglers left behind, when they fished here in much worse conditions. Including now the creeks have much clearer water, slower current and often incoming winter rains warm the creeks for a few days as well!
So never leave out the creeksif the conditions are right!
Make plans now to fish these north Alabama lakes, now! For the months of January, February (OK and March), have shown in years past to be real, "Trophy Brown Bass Times" here in Alabama! Or you can always call on Reeds Guide Servicefirst!
"Alabama's oldest, professional bass fishing only guide service guiding on all of Alabama's lakes for over 40 years" Website www.fishingalabama.com
Thanks and Good Fishin' Reed Montgomery, Owner of Reeds Guide Service in Birmingham, Alabama (205) 663-1504