Lake Weiss Fishing Report September 2013

Weiss: Level: 0.1 feet below full pool. Temp: Upper 70s. Clarity: Ranging from stained to clear.

Bass: Good. Guide and tournament fisherman Warren Barnes reports, “The bass are in transition mode all over the lake. The early morning topwater bite is good all over the lake. Revenge Buzzbaits and prop baits like the IMA Heli P are awesome baits on transition areas and around docks early. As for the buzzbaits, I have been using the squeaky, more quieter ones. Both of these baits will draw some very hard hits from both spots and largies. Later in the day, the spotted bass are biting good as well. Try finesse baits like the Reins Swamp Mover worm on a Tackle Doctors shaky head. The IMA square bill and Shaker crankbaits have started producing very well in the creeks for me as well. Fish these baits on the creek-channel drops with hard bottom. As we move into the month, look for the baitfish to be the key for finding the fish, and crankbaits will be the key bait for finding bass.” Guide Mark Collins reports, “Few bass are still shallow; most have moved to deeper water for the summer. Most fish are now being caught on the creek and river channel ledges 6 to 10 feet deep on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and Carolina-rigged plastics. Submerged roadbeds and deeper main-lake points are also producing some good bass.”

Crappie: “Fishing is good, and the crappie are holding on brush, stumps and man-made cover in the flats in 8 to 12 feet of water,” Mark said. “I have found very few fish in more than 12 feet of water. The river and creek channel ledges are not producing many fish, due to the fast current. If the rain quits for an extended period, look for a lot of crappie to move to the ledges. Spider-rigging with live minnows is the way to catch these summertime crappie. Shooting docks with a 1/24-oz. Jiffy Jig is still producing some crappie. Crappie are still being caught around the docks, and the night fishing is really good, also.”

Striper: “Fishing is good, and they are at the Cave Hole in Little River and Little Spring Creek and the Chattooga River,” Mark said. “Live shad downlined 8 to 10 feet deep and shad on a flatline behind the boat are the ways to catch these fish.”

Catfish: “They are biting good on the flats 8 to 20 feet deep on cut shad,” Mark said.