Lake Weiss Fishing Report – September 2007

Weiss: Level: 6.4 feet below full. Temp: 90 degrees. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Larry at J.R.’s Marina said the lake is at winter pool already, but the lake level is expected to continue to drop — possibly going down 4 more feet if there are no significant rains. The bass fishing continues to be fair to good, primarily on the river ledges with big spinnerbaits, jigs and Carolina rigs. Sandbars, and stump flats are coming out of the water all over the lake. According to Larry, Alabama Fisheries personnel were on the lake in late August and found no dissolved oxygen below 6 feet. According to guide Mark Collins, the best bite is early and late. With the very high water temperature the topwater bite is over until things cool down. Carolina-rigged plastics worked slowly in 15 to 25 feet of water on the edges of the old Coosa river channel is producing the best. A 3/8-oz. jig in a crawfish pattern is also a good lure on these deep-water ledges. Any time they are pulling water look for the bass to pull up on the points in the Bay Springs and Yellow Creek area and in the Power House lake. Guide Michael Carter has been catching bass schooled up on the deeper points and ledges. See the article on page 108.

Crappie: Tough, said guide Kelly Matthews. He’s targeting docks that have 6 to 8 feet of water at the end. “Shooting a Southern Pro Stinger on a 1/24-oz. lead head has been producing decent catches. The best colors here in the last few days have been black/blue with a chartreuse tail and acid rain,” he said. Kelly is fishing the lower lake around Bay Springs and Yellow Creek. “Crappie should start getting more active and start schooling around cover on the river-channel ledges in the next few weeks as the water cools off. Spider rigging the channel ledges with live bait will be the technique to use here in the next few weeks for Weiss crappie.”