Lake Eufaula Fishing Report – July 2006

Eufaula: Level: 2.9 feet below full. Temp: 90 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Fair. Charles Ingram said the bass should really start to stack up on the main ledges in 18 to 20 feet of water. “I like channel bends or mouths of ditches,” said Charles. “I like ledges that have a point on it. If the fish are feeding, I’ll throw across it. If they’re not, I slow down and parallel it.” Charles said this keeps the bait in the strike zone much longer. Charles like a Norman’s DD22 in baby bass. He also likes a homemade, 1 1/4-oz. spinnerbait. “You can’t retail them,” said Charles. “We use thin wire, so you can catch two or three good fish on it and that’s it.” Charles said the light wire gives more vibration, which he said catches more fish. Charles also throws Zoom Mag II worms in watermelon seed. He’ll throw both Texas and Carolina rigs. Capt. Sam Williams of Hawks Fishing Guide Service says the bass have moved out to the ledges, and they are hitting heavy Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and deep-diving crankbaits. For crankin’ the ledges, Sam casts a Mann’s 20+ in Alabama shad or gray ghost up onto the flat and retrieves it so the bait will drop off the ledge into the channel. Fishing is best when the corps is pulling water. For worm fishing he uses a 1/2- or 3/4-oz. weight so that he can feel a Texas rig or Carolina rig fall down the ledges. He prefers mossy pumpkin or crawfish colored worms. “The fishing has been a little hit-or-miss lately,” he said. “The fish haven’t stacked up on the ledges yet.”

Hybrids: The hybrids are out on the ledges, too, holding in water 12 to 18 feet deep, and they will hit a jigging spoon. Sam prefers a hammered chrome spoon.

Crappie: It’s best on the river ledges, said Sam. “Get over the ledges and cast a chartreuse/yellow jig and just let it fall. Watch your line for any tick when a fish hits. The fish aren’t as plentiful as during the spring, but you might catch 20 or 30, and the size is good.”