Lake Weiss Fishing Report – October 2008

Weiss: Level: 1.6 feet below full pool. Temp: 78 degrees. Clarity: The main lake is clear; stained up the Coosa.

Bass: Fair. The bass are deep and in their summer pattern on the old river-channel ledges and main-lake points in 8-14 feet of water, said Weiss fishing guide Mark Collins. “Deep-running crankbaits in shad patterns, 1/2- and 3/4-oz. double-willowleaf spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, drop-shot rigs and Carolina rigs are producing the best. Flipping docks that have at least 8 feet of water under them is producing good fish on jigs and weightless Texas-rigged Senko worms. You can also rig the worm wacky style. Junebug is always a great color for soft plastics on Weiss Lake. Brush in 8 feet of water or more is producing some good bass.” Largemouths are making the fall migration into the creeks and can be caught on a variety of different baits depending on the weather, said tournament fisherman Warren Barnes. “On cool days head into the creeks and try a crankbait such as a IMA Shaker or a War Eagle spinnerbait with double willowleaf blades. On warmer days try topwater baits such as a Gambler Cane Toad or a buzzbait and always have a jig ’n pig close by for either condition. Spotted bass are still biting well, also. Look for areas close to the main river channel and try a variety of baits as their mood is changing from day to day. I have been catching them with Gambler giggy heads with a Berkley shaky worm one day and crankbaits like a Norman Deep Baby N in lavender shad the next. One bait that has been very consistent for spots is a Zoom Super Fluke in white with the tail dipped in chartreuse die. Try these techniques, and you should see some lunkers.”

Crappie: Fair. “Crappie are starting to show up in fair numbers on the river ledges in 14 to 25 feet of water bumping bottom with minnows and Jiffy Jigs on the ledges of the old Coosa River channel,” said Mark. “Fair numbers of fish are being caught shooting docks with 8 feet of water or more under them with the new chenille Jiffy Jig made for a slow fall for shooting docks. Look for older, bigger docks that make a lot of shade, and the ones that have brush under and around them are always good. Always fish around the whole dock because the crappie will tend to be schooled tightly and in only one small location under the dock. Pay special attention to the darkest, shaded areas.”

Stripers: Poor. “The stripers have moved to the feeder creeks and rivers,” said Mark. “Cave Hole in Little River is producing some fish, and Little Spring Creek is also producing a few fish. The Chattooga River is also producing some fair fishing. A live shad downlined on a No. 2 treble hook with a 3/4-oz. weight at 8 to 12 feet deep is the preferred method, but do not forget to put out a freeline behind the boat to catch the shallower fish. The powerhouse lake and the canal are producing some stripers when they are generating power at the Weiss dam. Look for the fish on points and humps that create a current break in 10 to 20 feet of water.”

Catfish: Great. “Catfish are being caught all over the lake,” said Mark. “Jug fishing the deeper flats near the river channel with cut shad is the most productive method.”