Lake Eufaula Fishing Report May 2014

Eufaula: Level: 2.2 feet above full pool. Temp: 61-67 degrees. Clarity: Very stained.

Bass: Guide Sam Williams reports, “The water levels and water temperature have been up and down like a window blind in the past week. Last week we had 7 1/2 inches of rain with a lot of flooding upriver. The corps had to move the water through Eufaula to save the folks upriver. The lake level has run from over 191.00 in the past 10 days to the present level 188.86. The cold fronts continue to plague the South, effecting the water temperature. The swing has gone from 68 degrees a week ago to 56 degrees on April 18 while we were fishing in the rain. The bass are trying to spawn, but with the water level and temperature fluctuating, they are in a dilemma. The bass being caught are both shallow and deep. The shallow bass around cover are hitting beaver- and craw-tipped jigs. The frog bite is getting better, and spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are also working. Texas-rigged baits are working on the edge of cover. Shallow crankbaits are working around cover, and ripping lipless cranks are doing a nice job. Deeper bass are hitting crankbaits, heavier jigs and heavier Texas rigs.”

Crappie: “Slow, but the clearing water will bring a better bite,” Sam said. “Trolling the edges of drops is a good choice. The deeper cover is still holding fish. The high winds are making it harder to stay outside the creeks.”

Bream: “Bluegill are still a little ways off. The warmer weather will see better results working creek banks around blowdowns and over hangs. The mayflies are going to be late again this year with all the cold. Last year we still had mayflies in late July, and the bluegill and bass both worked hard on them,” Sam said.