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: http://www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
(256) 759-2270

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