With the lake down for winter, navigation can be hazardous. Logan Martin Lake can be as low as 4-5 feet down for the next 4-5 months, so use extreme caution when boating in unfamiliar waters this winter.
As for the fishing, the bass are still going to eat and on some days its slow and some days its time to load the boat. During winter there are warming trends usually followed by an approaching rainy front. This signals feeding time to the bass and should tell anglers its time to be on the water. Cold mornings followed by bright bluebird days are going to show the toughest conditions and often slow fishing. So time your trips accordingly by fishing during and after warming trends in which the sun shines a few days with mild nights and generally warm water temperatures.
These conditions show much more active bass. Baitfish will gather in places out of the swift, main lake current and high winds. Look for schools of baitfish or feeding bass hitting on top. Flats, small pockets and about half way up in major feeder creeks, are good places to begin your search for warmer waters. Topwater lures are excellent during these feeding periods and some big largemouth's and spotted bass can be fooled in water 1-3 feet deep with walking type lures, popping lures, prop baits, buzzbaits and other topwaters.
Often when you do happen up on a school of feeding bass, the fishing can be fast and frantic. Covering water fast with lures that run beneath the water such as crankbaits, rattletraps, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits, will fool the more quality sized bass in these schools. Even when it seems they have quit feeding, returning a few minutes later will give the school time to regroup and begin feeding again. Slowly worming out an area before you leave, may just reveal some of the bigger more lazy bass laying on bottom, waiting for an easy meal.
Conditions can show feast or famine this winter. During winter heavy rains are followed by muddy conditions. If you must fish following these conditions concentrate your efforts from mid lake at the Interstate 20 crossing to the lower lake. The lakes headwaters and incoming feeder creeks can be muddy for several days following 2-3 days of heavy rain.
Although the lake can be down 3-4 feet, piers and boat houses still harbor bass in winter. Some piers have resident planted brush piles now sticking up and are easy targets for anglers to find bass around. Usually the outer posts (those nearest deep water) on these piers are good for a few bass, but on rainy or very cloudy days they can be right along the bank, near the posts closest in. Many of these man made piers show an irregular bottom hidden right beneath them, or out a little a drop-off nearby, or rocks and boulders can be all around them. Often these spots are right under the boat of the bank beating angler. So backing off may reveal bass others miss.
Give Logan Martin Lake a try this winter and discover some of the fantastic fishing for largemouth bass and spotted bass. Or call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133, Logan Martin's oldest professional guide service. Thanks, be safe this winter on our low water 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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