WEISS LAKE
By Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
Impounded 1961
Lake level: 557.0 - Currently down 7 feet for winter pool
(Call 1-800-lakes-11) Normal full pool level is 564.0
Winter on Weiss Lake
A few words of caution. Look where your going if you plan on fishing Weiss Lake this winter season!
Weiss Lake was down 7 feet on New Year's Day 2007. This winter pool, low water, shows many previously underwater obstacles now exposed. Many obstacles that are not. Rocks, boulders, rock piles, old roadbeds, old house foundations and bridge foundations, laying trees, logs and stumps (all that were previously 7 feet or more deep), can now be hidden, just inches beneath the water's surface.
This is the time of year lives are at stake and costly boat & motor repairs can quickly become evident, especially for those inexperienced boaters that don't take heed!
This very low water calls for extreme caution, not only when navigating the lake's normally, shallow waters (which are now very shallow as well) but when slowly idling the boat or just trolling and fishing around the lake. This (7 feet down), is the lowest I have ever seen Weiss Lake during the winter months.
Normally, when the lake is only 3-4 feet down in winter, it is the time of year many boats and motors are damaged, usually requiring thousands of dollars in insurance claims and preventable repairs. So now it becomes even more so.
Use caution as well when "bass fishing" this winter season on Weiss Lake. Hooking into that largemouth bass of a lifetime is not for the faint hearted and it is very likely to happen during January and February...that is if you can stand the cold.
Some of the year's biggest largemouth bass (many exceeding ten pounds) are taken during the cold, winter months of January and February on this huge, sprawled out lake. Weiss Lake is the first of six man made impoundment's situated on the upper Coosa River System, running south from northeast Alabama to lower Alabama. Past records show, of all of the many largemouth bass exceeding ten pounds taken during winter on this Coosa River System, they usually come from Weiss Lake.
This includes trophy sized, Coosa River spotted bass (those exceeding 5 pounds) and some tackle testing striped bass in the 10 pound plus range as well. Winter on Weiss Lake does show the use of many different types of lures, employing various techniques, observing weather conditions and seeking out new places to fish, all in the favor of the trophy bass angler when targeting all these bass species.
With very low water, fishing is not the only important factor at hand. Observing low water cover, all recorded for future reference, is very important to. Keep in mind, many huge bass are taken from full pool waters often 7 feet deep or less, taking place all throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.
If you know where underwater, fish holding cover is located (places other anglers overlook), then you can return to these spots time after time. You may be targeting bass all your own, during other seasons when the lake is back to full pool, in places you found this winter. A GPS is a very important tool to aid you in returning to these open water homes - of bass you target in the future.
January
Although both January and February are considered mid winter months, there is a big difference when it comes to comparing the best days for bass fishing in January and February. To begin with, January is actually a month when warming trends can be the deciding factor in when, where and how you fish.
It is not unusual to see several warm days and mild nights with up to a week or two of consecutive 70 degree days, always bringing up the bass in January. Water temps can rise into the low 60's during January, often duping bass into a false spawn and sending hordes of big bass towards shallow wood and rock cover. (There are no weeds on Weiss Lake during winter.)
These shallow water travels only temporarily occur. Bass will immediately head back towards deep water retreats, bury up in thick cover or even suspend offshore as soon as the next cold front comes in. So timing is everything, especially when it comes to fish catching success and comfortable weather.
January is also when winter rains occur. This can be a slow, steady rain that only slightly stains the lakes headwaters, feeder creeks and incoming rivers, usually only an inch or so or rain that lasts a day or two. This incoming rain is good for fishing, for often winter waters become to clear and need a little stain to give the fish more of feeling of security.
Or heavy rains can take place and muddy up these places for days. But there are ways of overcoming these obstacles. First of all check the weather and look at the days preceding your trip. If heavy rains take place for 2-3 days then avoid the backs of feeder creeks, the headwaters of the Weiss Lake or the mid to far back ends of feeder rivers such as the Chatuga River and Little River.
But don't totally rule out these places either, for they will be excellent spots following this heavy rain. Remember timing is everything. Following this week long rain in January, the backs of these creeks, feeder rivers and the lake's headwaters will all slowly begin to clear. As they do, the bass that were in these places feeding will become very catchable. This timely occurrence usually takes place right before the water gets very clear again and they get back to being spooky and very selective in what they eat.
Rain water is also warmer than the lakes water. So the incoming rain water can warm an entire creek for days at a time, especially when warm days and mild nights take place. In addition, rainy cloudy periods always bring bass into shallow water to feed.
February
There are many reasons you do not see many anglers on the water during February. One reason is, its very cold and most fair weather anglers are at home warming up until spring arrives. February is the coldest month in north Alabama, with very few warm days traditionally. But like January, warming trends do occur, but they are less frequent, with cold fronts outnumbering the warm days every time.
By February, water temps have dropped into the low 50's or with constant cold fronts water temps could be down into the low 40's. Its hard for bass to rise significantly without several warm days and nights occurring. This is when bass get winter conditioned and they stay in more of a winter state of mind, until waters warm in the spring. Many bass go deep in February, some suspend in open water (and they become very hard to catch) and others just bury up in thick cover and eat very little until spring arrives.
Talk to any angler that has fished Weiss Lake for years and years and he will always have a tale to tell of at least one or two trophy bass he has taken during the dead of winter on this huge, flat land impoundment. It takes lots of patience, plenty of warm clothes, warm food and warm drinks to even be able to fish during February in Alabama.
There will be many days you don't get many bites during winter on Weiss Lake, but the ones you do get could just turn out to be that one bite all anglers are seeking....a fish of a lifetime!
Fish slow, be prepared for bad weather, always dress warm, wear you life jacket and outboard motor kill switch. You could just save your own life, or one of a friend, relative or stranger. Remember hypothermia kills, never take chances during winter. Be prepared for unforeseen emergencies with spare clothes. Always bring dry matches, lighters and fire starting material and keep them stored in a dry place in the boat.
Keep a few warm drinks and food on board the boat on every trip. If a mishap does take place don't panic. Bring along cell phones for emergencies and always let loved ones know where you are fishing and when to expect you home.
Need help fishing Weiss Lake or any Alabama Lake? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
"Alabama's oldest, professional freshwater bass fishing guide service, guiding on all of Alabama's Lakes for over 30 years." Several professional guides and quality boats for multiple parties and corporate guided trips, year round to any Alabama Lake. Discounts available.
See fishing tips, lure suggestions and fishing related articles on my website: www.fishingalabama.com
Thanks and Good Fishin'
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 Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com