Lake Weiss Fishing Report – September 2008

Weiss: Level: 1.9 feet below full pool. Temp: 85 to 88 degrees. Clarity: Good fishing color.

Bass: Fair, said Warren Barnes. Bass will follow baitfish into the creeks as temps begin to fall. “Use buzzbaits and War Eagle double-willowleaf spinnerbaits early. Throughout the day try flipping baits such as Gambler Bacon Rinds or a Gambler 10-inch Ribbontail worm. Spotted bass will still be moving up early in the creek channels and river ledges. Try throwing a 5-inch Berkley Jerkshad, and use a very erratic action. Crankbaits will catch some of these spotted bass also. Try the Berkley Flickershad or a Bandit Series 200 crankbait. After the sun gets high, back off and use a Gambler Giggy Head with a Berkley shaky worm to get the midday bite. These patterns should work both up river and down lake,” Warren said.

Crappie: Picking up, according to Kelly Matthews. “Crappie are starting to stack up on river ledges, holding tight to structure. Live-bait spider rigging is the dominant technique when going after size and numbers of crappie now. Crappie are holding on structure in 12 to 14 feet of water. Work ledges slowly looking for any structure and hover your bait right on top of it. Set up with 12-lb. test line, and tie on a 1/2-oz. weight. Next, come up 20 inches and tie on an Eagle Claw No. 2 snelled hook. Set up all rods out the front of the boat with baits cranked about two turns off the bottom. If you are not set up to spider rig, use the same rig with a single rod using the bottom-bumping technique in the same areas. There are also some good crappie are moving to shallower docks around 6 to 8 feet deep. Shooting docks in this depth range will produce good stringers. Work docks with a Southern Pro Stinger Grub with a 1/24-oz. head for best results. September fishing should be really good and get even better as we see the first signs of cooler weather.”