Lake Eufaula Fishing Report February 2018

Eufaula: Level: 1.8 feet below 190 full pool. Temp: Upper 40s. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Guide Billy Darby reports, “During late January and through February, Eufaula’s big egg-laden female bass will be searching for warm water and relating to the northern banks in dead-water pools. The sun during warm spells will generate heat very near sloping shorelines protected from the north wind. This predictable cruising-phase pattern should be approached with caution, as these big bass are very spooky. I use a Big Bite Baits Trick Stick and a very slow retrieve. If spooked by lure entry, just be patient until the bass returns to investigate, and watch your line for the slightest movement. If we are lucky enough to get some 60-degree surface temps, the old standbys like spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps and hard jerkbaits around the remains of decaying hydrilla and docks with added structure will get your line broke.” Tournament angler Les Bratcher (#bigbitebaits #alxrods) reports, “The bite on the lake is a typical winter bite with water temps in the 40s. Anglers are having some success jigging a spoon out deep, and I have heard of some reports of some shallow fish around vegetation and the rip-rap. Things will begin to pick up as the water temps begin to rise with spring on the way.” Guide Sam Williams reports, “Bass are in cover from 8 to 20 feet of water, mostly on the first drops out from old grass and pad cover. Jigs with big chunky baits worked slow will get a bite. Crankbaits are a good choice. If you are having trouble keeping the crank in the proper depth on a slow retrieve, use a light weight on a Carolina rig. Peg the weight at about 24 inches.”

Crappie: Guide Billy Darby reports, “During the February warm spells, crappie will be migrating toward warmer water, and the flats will be filling with slabs. Trolling Hal Fly and curly tail jigs should get you a nice fish fry. After the cold front moves through and you have to deal with a barometric pressure rise with northwest wind, live minnows dangled over brushpiles should work.” Guide Sam Williams reports, “Crappie are in deep cover. Minnows and jigs are the trick. Folks who like cold weather are doing good around the bridges at night under lights with minnows.”

Hybrids: Guide Billy Darby reports, “Hybrids will be chasing Rat-L-Traps and curly tail jigs on ridges, high spots and main-lake flats near deeper water. Watch the surface-feeding seagulls for signals of hybrids working baitfish. If the weather gets ugly, try fishing a little deeper and slower by trolling diving crankbaits off the edges of mentioned target areas.”