Lake Weiss Fishing Report August 2013

Weiss: Level: 0.4 feet below full pool. Temp: 82-86 degrees. Clarity: Ranging from stained to clear.

Bass: Guide and tournament pro Warren Barnes reports, “The bass are still in the summer mode all over the lake. The early morning topwater bite is awesome all over the lake. Fish buzzbaits and walkers like the IMA Skimmer on flats and around docks early. As for the buzzbaits, I have been using the Revenge with a clacking blade to catch both spots and largies. Later in the day I am using finesse baits like the Reins Swamp Mover worm on a Tackle Doctors shaky head. If I see the fish are suspending off the bottom with my Humminbird, I will use the same bait or a Optimum baits Opti Shad on a drop shot. An IMA Beast Hunter deep crankbait is still working for me as well. Fish these baits on the main-lake points, roadbeds, and drops with hard bottom. As we get into September, I would look for baitfish to start grouping tighter and moving up, and the bass will do the same. Look for transition areas that go from deep to shallow very quick, and as always any type of cover will be a plus.” Guide Mark Collins reports, “Most bass are still shallow. All the rain is keeping the water temperature down. Bass are on docks, seawalls and rip-rap rock. Anywhere there is rain run-off coming into the lake is holding good bass. Jigs, worms and shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits are catching a lot of fish. Some fish are starting to show up on secondary points and roadbeds in 4 to 8 feet of water. Some bass are starting to be caught on the creek and river-channel ledges also. The bass really seem to be scattered and on several different patterns due to the time of year and cool water temperature. A lot of bass are being caught anywhere there is a good rain-water runoff like Yellow Creek Falls and culverts.”

Crappie: “The crappie are on brush and cover in the flats in 8 to 14 feet of water,” Mark said. “Spider-rigging with live minnows is the way to catch these summertime crappie. Shooting docks with a 1/24-oz. Jiffy Jig is still producing some crappie. Crappie are still being caught around the docks, and the night fishing is really getting good also. Look for these patterns to hold over the summer. A lot of fish are holding on bridge pilings also at the Yellow Creek bridge, Cowan Creek bridge and Spring Creek bridge.”

Stripers: “Fishing is good,” Mark said. “They are starting to show up at the Cave Hole in Little River and Little Spring Creek and the Chattooga River. Live shad downlined 8 to 10 feet deep and shad on a flatline behind the boat is the way to catch these fish.”