Fall Bass Fishing on Wheeler Lake

Like upriver Tennessee River impoundment Guntersville Lake, (Alabama's largest reservoir), Wheeler Lake (Alabama's second largest reservoir) features a variety of aquatic weeds, rock cover and wood cover for bass to relate to this Fall season. Although these two lakes are similar in size, there is a big difference (to be visibly seen), as experienced by anglers seeking those trophy bass when Fall progresses.

Guntersville lake is only lowered for Winter pool 1-2 feet at the most. Wheeler Lake can be down as low as 4-5 feet by the mid Fall / early Winter period. This is why Guntersville Lake shows an exceptional weed growth and generally bigger bass. Weeds grow almost year round on Guntersville Lake. While Wheeler Lake is dropped so low during cold weather its weeds all but die out, having to rejuvenate each Spring with new growth.

Leaving bass to relate to rock and wood cover and irregular bottom features on Wheeler Lake this Fall and Winter. So if your practicing for an upcoming bass tournament and catching them like crazy in the weeds in September, don't expect to return to this bass holding greenery late during late Fall, when the lake will be down and your bass holding weeds are high and dry.

Low water also calls for extreme caution when navigating Wheeler Lake this Fall and Winter period. Small creeks, main lake flats and the mid to far back ends of major incoming feeder creeks, including the Elk River, will all show schools of baitfish, the bass feed on as waters cool. But again keep in mind, navigating these waters calls for extreme caution, especially for first timers to Wheeler Lake.

Lures are many in the Fall. Crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, rattling lipless lures, spinnerbaits and soft jerkbaits, are all lures that simulate the baitfish, and each works very well in its own way in shallow to mid water depths. As waters cool look for concentrations of bass along main lake points and creek points, around islands, along rip-rap rocks and all around piers and boat houses near deep water.

Flats with loads of wood cover like stumps, brush or laying trees are great spots for targeting big bass in the Fall. Topwaters like walking or popping baits are excellent in the Fall period for numbers of bass and usually the much bigger ones. Need help? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Fishing Wheeler Lake a lifetime, with over 30 years experience on this lake and other Alabama Lakes.

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

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