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.

Big bass will spawn in 50 to 55 degree water. This time of year (January/February), many fishing “experts” advise you to fish slow and deep. And yes, you will catch fish going deeper, but I’m here to tell you that if you want the bigger ones you should move shallow. Cast fast-moving baits in the four- to seven-foot depths on sunny, warm days and hang on!

At the end of January on Guntersville, the water is 45 degrees and the bigger bass are already moving up. We just need a little warmth at 10 to 20 foot depths, and when it occurs the bigger fish will move onto the shallow flats. You can benefit from that knowledge.

Don’t be afraid on warm mid-winter days to get downright shallow. I mean six inches shallow, because the bigger fish will make even that move if we get enough sun over the next few days or weeks. If your trolling motor is kicking up mud, then you’re probably getting to the real big bass areas.

Most anglers feel the spawn is on when water reaches 63-degrees. For the smaller fish, it is. But while many anglers are fishing for 3-pound females on their beds, I head to the ledges in search of bigger fish.

When the smaller bass are spawning, the bigger fish have already spawned out and are moving to a post-spawn pattern. Follow the big bass to the ridges and creeks because the bigger post-spawn bass are hungry and looking for a good meal.

The old saying is true… the bigger bass do everything first. So when you need a tournament bite think ahead of the pattern and you will be successful!

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

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