Summer on Pickwick Lake

Pickwick Lake is the last of four lakes on the Tennessee River System. It is located near the town of Florence, Alabama. There have been many smallmouth bass (some exceeding 6 pounds), taken on this lake, by the angler fortunate enough to land these jumping, brown bass. They are a test for any anglers tackle and his patience as well.

Largemouth bass often take a back seat when compared to the popularity of the famed smallmouth bass many anglers seek on Pickwick Lake. However, largemouth bass up to 10 pounds can be taken on Pickwick Lake, even during the hot months of summer. Often bass of both species can be caught when mingling side by side in preferable locations this summer. Even a spotted bass or two may be taken as well.

Pickwick lake displays many incoming feeder creeks. Some creeks have cooler water, as much as 10 degrees cooler than main lake water during summer. A water temperature gauge is a valuable tool for locating these bass relating to cooler run ins during the hot days of summer. The mid to far back ends of feeder creeks can show bass relating to weeds, stumps, laydown trees and rock bluffs.

The lakes headwaters is located just below Wilson Lake dam tailrace waters. Current is evident with water generation every weekday during the summer months. Here in Pickwick Lakes headwaters anglers will find points, rocky boulder filled shallows, bridge pilings and cooler water discharged from the turbines and Wilson Lake dam discharge. There is also a rip-rap lined barge canal, where locks show bass relating to current here, when barges enter the lake.

Lures for targeting these summer bass can range from topwaters such as buzzbaits and zara spooks, to slowly probing the lakes bottom with a variety of soft plastics. Crankbaits and jerkbaits work in the creeks, along rock bluffs on the main lake and around the dam tailrace waters. Rattletraps and jigging spoons are good as well.

Visiting Pickwick Lake this summer? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Over 30 years guiding on Pickwick Lake and other Alabama Lakes, for bass and stripers.

This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio  / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

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