Lake Weiss Fishing Report – May 2009

Weiss: Level: 0.10 feet above full pool. Temp: 65-67 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Good. Guide Warren Barnes reports, “Try the backs of the pockets and creeks for largemouths, and fish the points for spots. The most productive patterns have been spinnerbaits, swimbaits and lipless crankbaits. If the bite gets slow, I have been using shaky heads with Trick Worms on points and docks around spawning areas. I have been dead-sticking these baits, letting the bait sit for as long 30 seconds before getting bites. As we get into May, look for the grass bite to explode. Try topwater baits like the Gambler Cain Toad or Revenge Buzzbaits early. After the sun gets high, try flipping and pitching baits like the new Jackall Cover Craw or the Gambler Ugly Otter.” Guide Mark Collins said, “The bass are staging on secondary points and brush in 3 to 8 feet of water. Shallow-running crankbaits like the new GIZZ 3 from Smack Tackle are working awesome on these aggressive bass. Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits are also producing fish. Target the points and any brush near where you find the baitfish.”

Crappie: Fair. “The crappie are staging in the spawning bays in 12 to 20 feet of water, and some fish are shallow and starting to spawn,” Mark said. “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, Little Nose and Big Nose are producing fish also. Trolling Jiffy Jigs in 1/16- and 1/24-oz. in colors JJ12, JJ13, JJ14, JJ15, JJ17,JJ26 and JJ35 is the pattern of choice for these suspended crappie. Shooting docks with a 1/24-oz. Jiffy Jig is catching a lot of fish now also.”

Stripers: Fair. Mark said they have moved to the rivers and creeks for the spawning run. “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,” Mark said.