April & May Fishing On Weiss Lake

Like any Impoundment, Weiss Lake (the first of six impoundment's featured along Alabama's Coosa River System), shows many changes during the fish-catching season of spring, especially throughout the months of April and May.

Weiss Lake is dropped each winter, often as much as 4-6 feet. It is returned to full pool (for another 6 months) around the second week of April. Warming water, new growing grass, and rising lake levels, all induce hordes of predator fish and baitfish, to move shallow for the spring spawn.

Fattening up is the first thing on the minds of most predator fish, as they feed on baitfish, bream, small minnows and crayfish, prior to the upcoming spring spawn. This ritual can take place throughout April and bass are often still seen bedding on into the month of May.

Late April is when lake levels stabilize, heavy rains continue and stained water, coupled with cloudy conditions, keep most bass shallow. The new growing grass, found lakewide, invites both predator and prey to take up residence for the next few weeks. These are very catchable bass this time of year.

Targeting these largemouth bass, during both of these months, calls for the use of a variety of several different types of lures. Topwaters, various styles and colors of spinnerbaits, and an array of fish catching colors and configurations to fool them with bottom type lures. Always bring along plenty of weights, hooks and soft plastics and jigs. Lures such as 4-10 inch worms, 4-8 inch lizards, tube baits, creature baits and jig combos.

It gets even better as May approaches and warming waters call for the use of even 'bigger' and more gaudy-type lures, for some very hungry female bass (the biggest), most now coming off the beds. Faster moving lures come into the picture as waters warm even more, with the use of spinnerbaits buzzbaits, rattletraps, crankbaits and jerkbaits.

As usual, the smaller male bass will continue to guard the beds for about 3-4 weeks, till the newborn fry are own their own. So catch and release is essential throughout these spring months.

Be safe and courteous to other anglers this spring on Alabama's Weiss Lake. For an enjoyable day of learning Weiss Lake and catching some big largemouth bass, huge striped bass and trophy sized spotted bass. Always call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133...first! Alabama's oldest, professional freshwater guide service, fishing any lake in Alabama. Several qualified guides and boats available, year round.

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