Lake Weiss Fishing Report November 2011

Weiss: Level: 2.3 feet below full pool. Temp: 62-70 degrees. Clarity: Clear to stained.

Bass: Good. Warren Barnes reports, “Bass are feeding heavily all over the lake in preparation for the colder months. The shad are grouped up, and the bass are feeding on them. The early topwater buzzbait bite is still working around the entire lake on any and all types of cover. I have still been catching both largemouths and spotted bass using Jackall Bling and TN70 crankbaits in the creek channels, and the fish are still keying on harder bottoms and stumps. If there is a good wind blowing, try using a jerkbait like a Jackall Squirrel in these same areas to get those very active fish. As we get into December, I look for the largemouths and spotted bass to stay shallow but will make a move towards the river channels. Crankbaits like the Jackall Mc60Sr and Tn70 lipless crankbaits are excellent baits to use for catching these fish, but also look for the jig and shaky-head pattern to start playing a role as the fish should start holding tighter to the drops.” Guide Mark Collins also reports good bass fishing. “A lot of largemouth bass have moved shallow in the coves and bays. Look for any brush or stumps in 4 feet of water or less. Shallow-running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps in shad patterns are working great,” Mark said. “The spotted bass are on main-lake points and humps, roadbeds and shallow river-channel ledges. Soft plastics, like a Senko in green pumpkin with a chartreuse tail, are catching a lot of good spots.”

Crappie: Good. “A lot of crappie are under the deeper docks,” Mark said. “Look for larger, older docks that create a lot of shade. Use a 1/24-oz. Jiffy Jig in colors JJ13 and JJ17. A lot of larger crappie are starting to show up on the old river channel ledges in the main lake and the Riverside area. Spider rigging with minnows is starting to produce a few good fish mixed in with a ton of under-sized fish that are being caught. Look for more crappie to move to the ledges as the water cools more.”

Striper: Fair. “They are showing up in the main lake on river channel ledges 8 to 14 feet deep. Live shad downlined or freelined and trolled slowly on the old Coosa River channel is producing best,” Mark said.