Lake Weiss Fishing Report – November 2009

Weiss: Level: 2.6 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid to upper 60s. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Good. Guide Warren Barnes reports, “All the recent heavy rains have bass really biting on Weiss. I have been using Revenge spinnerbaits around the wood and docks back in the creeks. I am also throwing the Jackall MC60 crankbaits in these same areas to catch both spots and largemouths. Cowen Creek is an excellent place to try for some of these fish. The swimbait bite has picked up, as well, in the clearer areas of the lake. I have been using the Bullshad designed by Mike Bucca and the Revolution Shad by Reaction Strike. As we look into December, look for the bass to start moving out toward the river and main points. I will start covering lots of water throwing lipless crankbaits like the Jackall TN70 and shallow, flat crankbaits like the IMA Shaker.” Guide Mark Collins said, “Bass are starting to move shallow on secondary points and shallow stump flats following the shad movement to the backs of the bays and coves. Some coves have huge schools of shad in them, and the schooling-sized bass are feeding on them with a few larger fish mixed in. Shallow-running crankbaits like the new Gizz 3 from Smack Tackle and the Bandit 100 Series are working awesome right now. A 3/8-oz. spinnerbait in chartreuse and white with double silver willowleaf blades is also a great fall bait. Spotted bass are being caught on the old river channel ledges in 4 to 8 feet of water on crankbaits, worms and jigs.”

Crappie: Fair. Mark said crappie are starting to show up in good numbers on the river ledges in 10 to 14 feet of water. He recommends spider-rigging with minnows and Jiffy Jigs on the ledges of the old Coosa River channel, from Cedar Bluff to Leesburg. “Look for sharp drops with cover on the old river channel,” Mark said. “The outside bends of the old river channel are holding fish, and so are the points of the creek channels that intersect the old Coosa River channel.” Guide Darrell Baker reports, “The fall crappie season on Weiss Lake is under way and should continue into December. I am catching the fish right now spider-rigging the river-channel ledges. I am using 10- foot B’n’ M jig poles and using live bait around the brushpiles and stumps. Most of these crappie are holding tight to cover in 14 to 16 feet of water. This time of year the most important thing you can have on your boat is really good electronics. Use your electronics to locate brushpiles and stumps on the ledges, and you should be able to find fish.”

Stripers: Fair. Mark said, “They are being caught on the old river channel ledges and the flats beside the channel with live shad 8 to 12 feet deep.”

Catfish: Excellent. Mark said to fish the shallow flats in 4 to 8 feet of water with cut shad for good numbers and some quality-sized catfish.