Fishing Reports - Alabama - Reed Montgomery

Fishing Reports from Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"Celebrating 5 Years on the Radio Jan 2004"
Sunday Morning's 9-10 A.M. Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM 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
Winter on Pickwick Lake

Pickwick Lake is a lot like Wilson Lake. It to harbors world record size smallmouth bass. But only similar in world record status when it comes to the smallmouth bass, Pickwick Lake is very different from upstream Wilson Lake, especially during winter with low lake levels. The lake can be drawn down for winter pool, from 3-5 feet low during winter. It is returned to full pool in April.

Although this matters little to the smallmouth bass that inhibit water that is considered deep. The largemouth bass will have to make a major move out of the many places it is known to inhibit such as backwaters, main lake flats and feeder creeks.

The headwaters of Pickwick Lake, like upriver Wilson Lake, is situated below a major dam. Boat navigation is tricky and often very dangerous especially when first timers attempt to fish below Wilson Lake dam in the swift headwaters of Pickwick Lake.

The water below Wilson Lake dam is usually 5-10 feet deep at normal, full pool level. With Winter's low water pool this can now mean rocks and huge boulders are closer to the waters surface. Right below that expensive boat and outboard motor. Many costly mistakes are made by those that simply do not know, each winter season in Pickwick Lake's headwaters. So use extreme caution when near the dam and always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch

Another hazard, not found in the headwaters of Wilson Lake are two bridges that cross the lake. Very swift current can slam a boat into these bridge piling's, before an unaware angler realizes he has drifted right up to them, which is often to late to crank the outboard motor and get out of the swift current safely.

Like upriver Wilson Lake barge traffic is a daily occurrence on Pickwick Lake. But over a mile long, isolated barge canal, can harbor schools of bass relating to the current and rip-rap rocks featured along the banks, as barges are locked through each day.

Fishing Pickwick Lakes headwaters can reveal some very shallow water within one mile of Wilson Lake dam. A small island sandwiched between the main lake and a boulder strewn lock discharge area, can also show schools of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass and even an occasional spotted bass, all seeking an easy washed in meal, as they feed and fatten up for the winter months ahead.

Like Wilson Lake, anglers have many lure choices when it comes to deciding on how to catch these often elusive Pickwick Lake smallmouth bass. Many anglers have success fishing small grubs, shad imitations and other plastic creature imitations when making a drift below Wilson Lake dam. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits fool a lot of these bass as well, including both floating and suspending hard bodied jerkbaits, rattletraps, swim baits and other lures fished on or near bottom.

If the water is stained from heavy winter rains always try lures that emit lots of flash, noise and vibration in bright colors. If clear water is encountered, smaller finesse type lures may be needed, fished on light line and with light tackle outfits. Swift current, verses slower current, can also mean heavier or lighter line, big or small lures and experimenting throughout the day to discover what these very picky bass prefer on each outing.

So explore Piclkwick Lake this winter, but with caution, and discover why some anglers visit this Tennessee River impoundment each winter season in search of that ever elusive trophy smallmouth bass. Or call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133. "Over 40 years and 3 generations of fishing these Tennessee River Lakes for bass and stripers" Several professional qualified guides and boats available, year round. Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"Celebrating 5 Years on the Radio Jan 2004"
Sunday Morning's 9-10 A.M. Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM 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

Summer on Pickwick Lake 07/01/04

Although some may argue, its been said that Pickwick Lake is the best trophy smallmouth bass lake in the world. With 5-6 pounders common its understandable why. Many anglers claim this Tennessee River impoundment is second to none (cept maybe Wilson Lake, previous world record smallmouth, 10 1/2 pounds) when it comes to consistently producing smallmouth bass, year round.

Some anglers have even taken smallmouth bass of near record proportions on Pickwick Lake (located near the town of Florence in north Alabama), some often weighing over 8 pounds. Others have lost some...they say are even bigger.

Visiting Pickwick Lake this summer, an angler has many choices to get a chance to hook into one of these, "brown bass of a lifetime." But landing it, is another story. These huge smallmouth bass have been known to leap as high as the fortunate anglers head that hooked into one.

If those aerial acrobatics do not show an escape by throwing the lure, then the sheer power of these very strong bass, can just rip loose the lure from their mouth. This is why so many anglers lose big smallmouth bass, usually right at boatside.

You must check every angle in order to successfully land one of these true, tackle testing bass of a lifetime, or be prepared to go home again, with the old tale of the one that got away!

Everything must be in order to be successful at landing these bass. Sharp hooks are a must. New, strong line, must be spooled up on each trip. Not old line that can always break at an inopportune time. Good dependable rods and strong reels with good drag systems are a must.

Nets are very important tools for success. Especially a long handled, big hooped net. Just as important is the net man. Many a smallmouth bass has been lost at boatside due to poor handing of the net. Even a discussion of netting the bass, prior to even hooking into one of these rare, monster smallmouth bass, is important and very necessary.

Choosing a fishing location, whether you day or night fish on Pickwick Lake, is just as important for success as getting ready. You can't catch em' if your not fishing where they are!

Start with a good map. I had the pleasure of providing fishing tips and seasonal fishing locations for Fishing Hotspots Maps, that debuted here in Alabama a few years back. You can order waterproof, tearproof, GPS marked maps for all Tennessee River Lakes and the Coosa River System (more coming) at: www.fishinghotspotsmaps.com

If you study a map of Pickwick Lake you will see the lakes headwaters, situated just below Wilson Lake dam, immediately above Florence Boat Launch at McFarland Park, about 2-3 miles upriver. Also you will see a barge canal that exits the lock on the dam on your left.

Whether you fish during the day or night you must exercise extreme caution when navigating these swift, flowing tailrace waters below Wilson Lake dam, in Pickwick Lakes headwaters. Boulders and huge rocks are everywhere and can be hazardous, especially for first timers.

Like upriver Wilson Lake, many anglers choose to fish at night during the hot summer months on Pickwick Lake. Drifting in the current or just casting the banks calls for the use of a variety of lures.

Proven lure favorites are spinnerbaits, grubs, worms, lizards, crayfish imitations and jig combos. Even jigging spoons, fishing with crankbaits, rattletraps and jerkbaits, can be very good choices after dark. These same lures will work during the day...if you can stand the heat. Topwater lures work day or night here.

Finesse fishing for some very picky smallmouths with very small worms, gitzits, slider rigs, spoons, crayfish, lizards, tube baits, grubs, shad imitations, and other soft plastics, may be necessary for clear water situations this summer.

Always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch when navigating Pickwick Lake day or night, and always watch out for the other boater on our very crowded lakes this summer.

See more summer fishing tips for Pickwick Lake (and other Alabama Lakes) at "Fishing Tips" and "Lake Reports" my website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

Thanks and Good Fishing this summer!