The heavy rain across much of the state this week will definitely bring rising water just about everywhere and also add murky conditions to the mix, making it more difficult for the fish to see the lures.
The tailwater fisheries at Lake Wilson and Lake Pickwick, usually starting to get good for big smallmouths about now and continuing through March, will probably not be productive or even safe to try so long as all this runoff is being passed through the gates. When the flow slows, however, fishing the seams in the current flow with crankbaits, swimjigs and rattlebaits will catch smallies, largemouth and white bass.
Also in the northwestern part of the state, Captain Brad Whitehead homes in on crappies at this time of year on the Bear Creek lakes, several small impoundments that stay relatively clear compared to the murk found on the TVA lakes after heavy rains. Whitehead likes the tactic of “side-pulling”, very slowly dragging tiny jigs, crankbaits or live minnows just off bottom around brush and ledges in these lakes; 256-381-7231.
Another bright spot might be catfishing on Lake Wheeler and Lake Wilson—the largest blue cats of the year are typically caught in winter, with some of the fish exceeding 50 pounds and a few approaching 100. Anglers typically locate the fish around bottom structure in 15 to 25 foot depths and catch them on cut shad or cut skipjack drifted just off bottom. Captain Mike Mitchell specializes in this action—see his Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/cprbigcats/ .
At Smith Lake, which is usually very clear, will also be impacted by the murky runoff, but at Smith that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Largemouths in the tributary rivers usually bite better when there’s a bit of color in the water—try spinnerbaits and rattle baits around stumps and blowdowns.
Stripers and spots well be hanging around the bridge pilings where herring are schooled—find the baitfish on sonar and catch these fish on small swim jigs with 3” soft-plastic shad tails or on lipless crankbaits. The stripers will also start their spawning runs up the Sipsey River, Brushy Creek and Ryan Creek this month—as they move into the narrow parts of the tributaries they hit topwater lures as well as swimbaits and crankbaits.
Below the dam, trout fishing remains good all winter when ever flow is moderate. Drift live worms or salmon eggs below a bubble float to get them; www.riversideflyshop.com.
Crappie fishing may perk up first after the runoff slows, with good action typically found at Weiss Lake on the channel edges from January through February, according to guide Mark Collins, who specializes in these tasty panfish. He likes long-line trolling Jiffy Jigs in 1/16 ounce and smaller sizes at depths of 12 to 16 feet to connect; www.markcollinsguideservice.com.
Captain Mike Carter also offers crappie fishing trips (as well as duck hunts) at this time of year on Lake Guntersville. Carter says the fish often hang around the mouths of small creeks where they dump into the main lake, particularly those with blowdowns or brush along the edge. He casts tiny jigs on ultra-light spinning gear to connect; www.anglingadventures.info.
In saltwater the rains will also have a negative effect, muddying the waters of the Mobile Delta where trout, reds and sheepshead typically gather at this time of year. A better choice is likely to be the shorter marsh rivers on the west side of the bay, which stay clearer—Fowl River, Dog River and Deer River are all likely to have lots of trout and reds, as is the Theodore Canal. A quarter-ounce jig is the best tool for exploring these waters, but the trout also hit topwaters in the shallower sections of the rivers early and late; www.ateamfishing.com.
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Friday Fishing Report: What will rising water do to bass bite? - AL.com
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