Guntersville Lake Report
January 2009

   With the beginning of a new year comes the added excitement of the upcoming fishing season. With the improvement in both quality and quantity of bass on Lake Guntersville in 08, 09 should be a banner year. Fall fishing in 08 showed an increase in yearling bass from the year before. In fall of 07 we had many trip that averaged over 30 fish a trip with the fall of 08 showing another increase pushing 50 on many trips. The Spring of 08 had a increase in numbers from the previous spring and I am expecting the same this year. A good day fishing on Lake Guntersville in the spring will not yield the numbers of schooling fish you catch in the fall, but you are subject to have multiple fish in the 5 to 8 pound range. For January and February I would project a good day on the lake as catching 20-25 bass with at least a three over 4 pounds. An average day on the lake should be about half this but it is very dependent on catching the weather right for a great day. Hit the lake this time of year behind a cold front with high blue bird skies and you will be better with a deck of cards or a thermos of coffee. This may not be what many people hunting a fishing report or guide want to hear ,but its better for the truth now that the ones that want to give you excuses when your trip is over.

Most fish during the colder months will be located on or near the river channel. They will spend most of the day dropped off into the deeper water frequently suspended. The key is to be in these areas when they pull up shallower on adjacent humps and points to feed. Ridges near the river channel where the hydrilla is taller or greener is always a great place to find them. Also, as the spawn nears humps and points between the river and backwater will become productive. Use suspending jerk baits like pointer 100’s or 78’s, X-Rap’s, and Excalibur Twitch baits in these areas. Both the regular or deeper diving models work well and colors such as pearl ayu, chartreuse shad, and table rock shad are hard to beat. Concentrate on keeping the boat in 9 to 12 foot of water but based on the grass and weather conditions you may need to go deeper or shallower. This is also the prime time for lip less crank baits, spinner baits, lipped crank baits, and jigs. My preference in these baits are Rapala DT-6 and DT-10 crank baits (Pearl gray shiner, hot mustard), Excalibur XRK 50 &75 ( foxy shad, rayburn red), Rick Clunn Lucky Craft 1.5 & 2.5 (sexy shad, chartreuse perch), and Dumaflodger spinner baits ( shad, chartreuse and white), Tight Line Jigs (lake Guntersville special).

            Good Luck and Good Fishing

Location of Waterfront Grocery & Tackle

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