Bigger fish do everything first.

Have you heard this old adage before? In my experience it’s more than just a saying; it’s a fact. My log books from eighteen years of fishing Lake Guntersville year-round prove that the bigger bass lead the way to the spawn, to the ditches, to the creeks and humps, and out deep in the heat. Read the rest of this entry »

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

As the swim bait craze progresses, the technology keeps getting better. When you first walk down the tackle store aisle and look at all the swim baits competing for your dollars, at first it’s hard to tell which will do the best job. Among hard swim baits, I have discovered subtle variations that make a significant difference in terms of performance.

The biggest factor is the characteristic that some swim baits have to behave in a lifelike manner in the water — to accurately mimic the true, natural movements of a fish. If swim baits are going to attract gamefish, their movement has to be as lifelike as possible. Tru-Tungsten swim baits are so natural in the water that the difference between them and real bait fish is nearly impossible to discern!

Not only do these baits appear lifelike in the water, but with a very simple removal of a pin you can add or remove some Tungsten weights from a weight chamber. Tru-Tungsten has engineered a chamber that holds two Tungsten ball weights. Using just a pair of needle nose pliers, you can change the drop rate of the bait easily and quickly. The BB-type weights sit in the chamber and do not change the lifelike movement of the bait. They ergonomically drop the bait with enormous detail and movement so you can work the bait as a wake bait on top, just under the surface, or drop it down to skim the bottom structure. This is truly a difference maker, because in most baits adding weight changes the movement. Tru-Tungsten swim baits’ lifelike movement with or without the BB weights are just amazing.

Ish Monroe and Matt Newman designed this lure for Tru-Tungsten, and their design is now the gold standard for swim baits . It makes their competitors’ versions obsolete. Try it; I promise you’ll immediately see the difference!

Captain Mike Gerry
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
Web: www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
(256) 759-2270

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

January is generally the coldest of the months on Guntersville. Ask around… all the experts will tell you to go deep into the river channel. Well, I’ve got some news for you; over the years Guntersville has defied the experts many times.

Yes there are fish to be caught deep in 20-foot plus water, but for me the 4- to 7-foot water has always produced better. In general, on our coldest, nastiest January days, I have caught more and bigger fish in shallow water than I ever have fishing 20-plus feet of water. You see, the bass feed shallow. The bigger bass feed shallower because you have small patches of grass, reeds and the like that the bait fish move into for cover, and here come the hogs feeding on them.

I am also a believer that big bass do everything first, meaning that the bigger fish are already moving into pre-spawn areas even in the cold of January. That puts them moving on and off the humps, grass lines and points to feed at some point during a cold January day. The sloughs that have stumps become prime targets for the big fish moving up to feed.  The stump fields hold grass. They have hard clay bottoms where you will find bait fish balled up in 4 feet of water. The big bass will come feed on them. The key is for you to be there at the right time and in the right place when they do.

There is only one way to do that; you need to work your favorite 4- to 7-foot water for about 30 minutes. If they’re up on top feeding, you will find them. If not, move on to the next area. Eventually the right combination of shallow water and cover will produce what you are looking for.  Cover water, stay 4 to 7 feet deep, and eventually that lunker you’re looking for will make your day!

Captain Mike Gerry
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
Web: www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
(256) 759-2270

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

One of our favorite fishing blogs is that of Rob Doherty, who writes for the Clarion Ledger down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

When Rob is not working on off-shore drill rigs, he’s back home in Hattiesburg being Dad to his two kids. Rob is also a frequent guest host of Alex Langer’s Outdoors This Week, a live, two-hour talk radio show broadcast through USA Radio Network to markets all across the country. The show is streamed live via Internet at usaradio.com and has hosted many of the fishing greats such as Denny Brauer, Paul Elias, Doug Hannon, Joe Thomas, Jay Yelas, and Tred Barta. Frequently wildlife management biologists will come on to discuss impoundment or land management that supports good fish, quail, deer or turkey habitat. If it’s outdoors, the show covers it! O.T.W. is broadcast and streamed via the Internet live on Saturday and Sunday Mornings from 07:00 to 09:00 Central Time.

Whenever Rob can, he will slip away for a few hours on the water and then share his insights and tips with readers across the country. His latest post is a timely reminder to break out of warm-water patterns and present your lures where you’ll find fish in winter — often on deep structure. This month Rob suggests several presentations for hooking up with deep structure fish, including finesse baits on Recoil Rigs, jigging spoons,  and jigs.

Take a side trip over to read Rob’s latest blog entry, and while you’re there read back through his archives.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

In this severe cold we are having, I felt some winter tips might help the avid anglers on Guntersville — at least the ones who are brave enough to challenge the lake on these cold January days.

The first thing I must tell you is to be patient. Patience is a virtue that not all of us are blessed with, but a combination of patience, cold water, and north winds will pay big dividends in winter. Read the rest of this entry »

Join the forum discussion on this post - (2) Posts

ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series Anger Dusin Wilks

One recent mid-January day I fished a grass flat  in 1-3 feet of water about 50°F. There was a strong south wind blowing straight in on the flat. A small ditch also came in on the flat.

Bass were destroying a Daiwa T.D. Vibration lipless crankbait in the new Green Shad color. I caught about 25 total with a few 5’s and a 7.

The key was drop, speed, rip and shake.  I’d drop it in or near the top of the grass, rip it out fast then shake. They could not stand that little shake after the rip.

I used a 7-foot medium action LT Daiwa rod and 6.3:1 Daiwa Viento reel.

I also caught one on a buzzbait today to prove my buddy wrong after he said bass won’t bite a buzzbait in January. It only took one cast to prove him wrong.

Don’t look only at time of the year when choosing lures; pay attention to conditions and pick the most efficient lure for the job.

Dustin Wilks
Secret Weapon Pro
BASS Elite Series Angler