Lake Weiss Fishing Report – April 2009

Weiss: Level: Full pool. Temp: 58-62 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Good. Warren Barnes reports, “Both largemouths and spots have started moving shallow looking for bedding areas, and the males and females have been feeding pretty constant. Good baits are soft-stick baits like a Gambler Ace or a Jackall Flickshake rig. I have also been catching both species on a Reaction Strike Revolution Shad Swimbait early and late. By early April, the spawn should be in full swing.”

Crappie: Excellent. Guide Darrell Baker reports, “We are right in the middle of the spawn. Most of these big fish are in less than 4 feet of water. I am still trolling with a variety of B’n’M trolling rods and using 1/32-oz. Southern Pro Hot Grubs. We are pulling these jigs at 1 to 1.3 mph. We are also catching nice fish using jigs and minnows under a float, and also shooting jigs under the docks. The fishing will slow down later in the month as we get into the postspawn, but you will still be able to catch the crappie shooting docks. Mark Collins reports, “The crappie are staging in the spawning bays in 5 to 10 feet of water. The river-channel ledges of Little River are producing some great fishing. Little Spring Creek and the bays near Riverside are producing some great fishing. Bay Springs, Yellow Creek and Little Nose and Big Nose are producing fish also. Trolling Jiffy Jigs in 1/16- and 1/24-oz. in colors JJ01, JJ12, JJ13, JJ15, JJ20, JJ25, JJ32, JJ35 are the baits of choice.”

Stripers: Fair. “They are starting to move to the rivers and creeks for the spawning run,” Mark said. “The Upper Coosa river below Mayo’s Lock and Dam and below Plant Hammond is producing some fish on live and cut shad. Little Spring Creek is producing a lot of smaller fish. A 2 1/2- or 3-inch white Sassy Shad body on a 1/24- or 1/16-oz. jig head is producing best.”

Catfish: Excellent. “They can be caught on any kind of cut bait in the bays,” Mark said. “Target the bays where the marinas are located. The crappie fishermen cleaning their catch there.”