Lake Weiss Fishing Report – May 2010

Weiss: Level: Full pool. Temp: Low to mid 70s. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Excellent. Warren Barnes reports, “Largemouths have moved up and are at the late stages of the spawn, and the majority of the spotted bass are in the postspawn stage, as well. I have been starting out early in the backs of spawning pockets covering a lot of water throwing Trick Worms and topwater baits like the Jackall SK Pop. After the sun gets high and the morning bite slows, I will slow down and throw a split-shot-rigged 6-inch lizard or Texas-rigged Grande Bass Mega Craw to catch these non-aggressive fish. Some good areas to try these patterns are the downlake pockets and creeks around Yellow Creek. I am also starting to see the grass growing in many areas as well. As we move through the month of May, look for the grass bite to start picking up. I will throw prop baits like a Jackall Dagored or soft-plastic frogs to entice those bigger fish to strike. As we look forward into June, I would look for the daytime dock pattern to start getting good, and the nighttime bass fishing action to really pick up, as well. Because of all the underwater obstructions, navigating Lake Weiss at night can be hazardous. Please use extreme caution.” Guide Mark Collins reports, “Some good largemouths are being caught in really shallow water, anywhere from 1 to 3 feet, way back in the creeks and coves. Some fish are cruising shallow seawalls, and some fish are starting to go on bed. Shallow-running crankbaits, jigs, tubes and plastic lizards are catching fish. The spotted bass are active, and they are showing up on gravel or rocky secondary points. Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits and spinnerbaits are catching these fish.”

Crappie: Good. Mark reports, “Some good stringers of fish are being caught trolling. Little Nose, 3 Mile, Cowan and Big Spring creeks are producing some good trolling action in 3 to 5 feet of water on 1/24-oz. Jiffy Jigs in colors JJ01, JJ11, JJ12, JJ13, JJ17, JJ20, JJ24, JJ25, JJ34, JJ37 and JJ40. Mud Creek is also producing some good fish. The Riverside area is also producing some fish by trolling in the coves off the main river. Goodyear Cove in the Chattooga River is producing some fish trolling. Godfreys is also producing some fish. The crappie are starting to move under the docks, also.”

Stripers: Fair. “They have started their migration up the Chattooga River and the Coosa River. Cut shad on the bottom on a Carolina rig is a great way to catch these prespawn fish. A few stripes are starting to be caught in the upper Coosa River behind plant Hammond and at the Mayo Lock and Dam below Rome,” Mark said.