Whether from one of the major river systems or from a smaller stream, flatheads are one of the unique fishes of the state, a worthy adversary that demands more attention from Alabama anglers. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Plenty of largemouth and Smallmouth Bass and various catfish add to the lake's diver Anglers target largemouth bass and spotted bass on Neely Henry Reservoir. Both second and third places weighed in more than 21 pounds each. We did not hop the lures. Local citizens need to work together to manage remaining habitat for the benefit of these species and all native aquatic species in the Coosa River basin. 0000056012 00000 n
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In a typical year, the striper population will winter in Lake Weiss and gorge on the overabundant gizzard shad. How are these guys bringing in 18lb bags of spots? Covering 6,700 acres, Jordan Lake is less than a quarter the size of Weiss. They caught fish at depths between 12 and 20 feet deep, but the key was having some type of cover on the point. 0000096859 00000 n
The anal fin contains three spines and nine to 11 (usually 10) rays. 0000166078 00000 n
Lake Jordan is also a recreational lake with fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass, hybrid bass, and white bass. Thats not to say that all flatheads come from bigger river systems in Alabama. Fortunately, conservation measures are underway to protect rare species within the river and commitments from Alabama Power Company to improve water quality downstream of the dams offer hope for continued survival of the mussels and snails of this river. Subscriber Services. 0000135410 00000 n
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Shook also recommends dragging the bottom with jigs. Large current breaks often provide the best fishing. "Coosa spots are the most aggressive fish on the lake, so expect the first strikes to come from them. Crow's go-to topwater lure is a cigar-shaped walk-the-dog, because its quick action and sudden changes trigger reaction strikes from great distances in clear water. Download over 550+ fishing spots in Lay Lake, Alabama, US. The Coosa River watershed begins in Tennessee and Georgia before entering Alabama at Weiss Lake. 0000104573 00000 n
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. In most Alabama waters, flatheads are outnumbered by blue and channel catfish but can be caught with some of the same rigging and some of the same baits employed for the other species. 0000048687 00000 n
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Driftwood Campground 256-526-8069. 0000118873 00000 n
The challenge is first finding flatheads and then presenting baits in such a way that appeals to their finicky nature. Anglers can expect excellent . Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. 1 oz. The river is about 280 miles (450 km) long. Be it largemouth, spotted, hybrid, or striped bass, but all the dam tailraces around me are usually cold water coming out of very deep reservoirs. Jacob Beach. 0000114868 00000 n
They can be reached by phone at (334) 514-0279, or on the web at www.coosariveradventures.com. I'm betting that with a 100-boat field it'll take a junk game involving both of them to come out on top. 0000052742 00000 n
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A good laydown extending off the bank is hard to beat.. recommendation ? 0000123169 00000 n
Thats not always going to be the case in Alabama.. 0000197290 00000 n
Along the stream shore, spots to pay close attention to are any feeder creek mouths or debris piles that create eddies. The 360 Buckhammer cartridge is designed for lever-action rifles and will be available in two Remington Core-Lokt loads. Distinctive in their appearance, flatheads are often the by-catch of anglers fishing for other species. 0000074566 00000 n
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The river has two major tributaries Kin Kin Creek and Teewah Creek. 0000077135 00000 n
Noosa River has some great fishing spots and the river generally fishes best when the water is isnt so clear after rain is one of the most productive times to target estuary species. Flatheads have become abundant in the small rivers of southeast Alabama and in the Florida Panhandle, locations that traditionally have held no native fish. 1999 - 2016 Angler
The bass fishing in the Coosa River is amazing. Pounders fishes wood as well but also notes a flatheads proclivity toward staging around mud and clay, especially along his home waters on the Tombigbee River near Columbus, Miss. 0000126361 00000 n
Neely Henry Lakeis the next lake downstream of Weiss Lake. OFFSHORE:The northerlies dominated the offshore scene again this week. 0000184612 00000 n
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Only a small portion of the Coosa River flows freely. Tag the Best Pronghorn of Your Life This Season, Go Whole Hog for Delectable Backyard Pork BBQ, DIY: Earthworms Can't Hide When 'Grunters' Are Hunting, 7 Things to Ponder Before Buying a Fishing Kayak, Backyard Ready: Grilling the Perfect Steak, Spin to Win: Panfish Secrets for Catching Limits on Spinners, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection, Classic Marlin: 336 and 1894 Lever-Action Hunting Rifles, NWTF's Passion for Wild Turkey Conservation Still Burns After 50 Years, First Look: Leupold's BX-4 Range HD Rangefinding Binos, Browning's Max Point, Silver Series Rifle Ammunition, New Hunting Ammo from Remington: 360 Buckhammer, New from Browning: X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan, Hornady's Hot New 7mm PRC Cartridge: SHOT 2023, Hawke Optics' Frontier LRF Laser Range Finding Binoculars, New from LaRue Tactical: Siete Chassis Rifle. 0000189364 00000 n
Fishing around Noosa is good all year round, with lots of different opportunities for land, boat and kayak anglers and locations like the Noosa River, Lake Macdonald and the Noosa National park headlands for rock fishing. Striped bass, white bass, and their hybrid are also caught in Logan Martin Lake. In the past, almost all the water was used for generating electricity, leaving little water in the old Coosa River channel, hence the name Dead River. 0000088485 00000 n
2 oz. River levels and flow conditions on the Coosa River near the GA/AL state line can be found here. 0000077456 00000 n
Miller's Ferry 8 Before beginning its 255 mile journey through Alabama, the Coosa River is formed in Georgia with the merging of the Oostanaula and Etowah rivers. 0000061270 00000 n
The Coosa River is located in Elmore County and serves as a tributary to the Alabama River. 0000060198 00000 n
Biologists report a very successful year-class in 2010 and again in 2014. 0000129461 00000 n
At Rome, Georgia, the river slows to form Weiss Lake. The Coosa River Basin, comprising all land areas draining into the river above the . The lake boasts a shoreline that is over 300 kilometres that is dotted with cabins, cottages, camping sites and marinas. Georgia River Flows |
A filet from a skipjack or bigger shad, a slender three to five inch slice, provides an enticing look that flutters in current, mimicking live shad. The lake is over 11,000 acres and is home to the renowned Coosa Spot, a breed of spotted bass that will give you the fight you are looking for! 0000015007 00000 n
An email address is required to associate with your Fishidy premium subscription. Weiss Lake is home to the famed Coosa River . For smaller streams, the wood is often visible at the surface and extends into the water. Traditionalists have always used live bait for flatheads. 0000076816 00000 n
Eileen Davis. Because it's filled with numerous amounts of largemouth bass, crappies, and bluegills, Neely Henry Lake is one of Alabama's most popular fishing destinations. 0000120810 00000 n
These features offer anglers willing to fish offshore plenty of opportunities to find largemouth and spotted bass not pressured by others. 0000083292 00000 n
You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. %%EOF
Target the lower sections of the river and into Lake Weiss during the mid to late winter months. What weve learned is that fresh cut bait, skipjack, shad, and mooneys will also catch flatheads also.. Description: Elongated body, greenish black on top, yellow towards belly. Coosa River Fishing: Jordan Lake Dam - Chasing Cool Water Bass. It extends over 77 miles from the Neely Henry dam upstream to Weiss dam. The number of fish we were around was . 0000117410 00000 n
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Bring your camping gear and spend the night on one of the numerous sand bars. SPOTTED BASS IDENTIFICATION The key features that separate the spotted and Alabama bass from the largemouth and other black bass species are the dark scale spots that can be . The likely destinations for Bama fishermen are the Alabama, Coosa, Black Warrior, and Tombigbee rivers and their tributaries. Alternate names for this stream include Coussa Fiume, High Tower Creek . Lake Weiss Fishing Report - February 2023. Generally all year round the water in the Noosa River is clear and there is often great fishing to be had for Bream, Flathead, Tailor, Trevally and futher upstream the beautiful Wild Australia Bass. All terminal tackle is by. Anglers target Largemouth Bass here but there are plenty of Crappie and catfish to fight with too! Weiss Lake Overflow Dam - Mile 44.0 -- Portage Trail # 29.31 / Left. Alabama Power Company also discharges a minimum of 2,000 cubic feet per second of water from Jordan Dam, but more water is released in the spring for spawning, recreational use, and flood control. It has 188 miles of shoreline, which includes flooded backwater creeks on the lower section from the dam upstream to Blackwell Slough. 0000179006 00000 n
If you can isolate wood structure, as opposed to a lot of woods or stumps, then you are more likely to find flatheads that you can catch. Target Look to the numerous tributary mouths and backwaters of the Coosa River during April and March to find spawning concentrations of crappie. A third of the basin is in the Valley and Ridge, and another third is in the Piedmont. The Coosa River and H. Neely Henry Lake are home to some of the best fishing in the South with beautiful mountain views. The grass failed to produce a strike the first 30 minutes, so my partner started fishing a shaky-head jig in water 18 to 20 feet deep as I continued to work the grass. ELD-X Precision Hunter). The high diversity of the geology is matched by the high diversity of endemic aquatic animals: fishes, mussels, snails and crayfishes. By Eileen Davis. 0000089926 00000 n
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The redeye or Coosa bass is an elongate, slender fish with a large mouth that extends to or slightly behind the rear margin of the eye. Lay Lake Two MLF pros and [] These lakes all offer the best spotted bass fishing in the country; a 7 pounder is 'just another' good fish. will be filling their ice chests in no time. 0000125459 00000 n
We also frequently conduct creel surveys of folks who enjoy fishing on the Coosa to better understand their fishing habits, the role of fishing in our economy, and fish consumption advisories. Little River Campground and Marina. Find More Fishing Places in Coosa County: Lake (20) Stream (74) Coosa County, Alabama is home to 94 lakes, rivers, and other fishing spots. When fishing this offshore pattern, Shook says spotted bass strike first. Not to mention, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous views . Spotted bass, crappie, largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish make Gadsden fisheries a year-round playground for fisherman. Vehicle access is possible, and the lake is open to fishing year round. Jones Bluff Summer Fishing Report. Deeper holes, under dams, and fallen trees are all good spots to look. "When learning to fish offshore," said Shook, "resist the urge to just fish. "There are probably a hundred places to fish going up the river," said Crow, "and you never know when you will hook a big fish.". The Weyba Creek area has some good fishing particularly for Bream around the jettys. 0000166891 00000 n
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Plan to ride half a day and fish the other half. In fact, because of its fertility, the Coosa ranks as one of the most productive chain of lakes in Alabama, with growth rates for spots often equal to largemouth in their first five years. Channels are abundant but most are under 5 pounds in size. We had an awesome three days, and we had these places to ourselves.". In fact, the Coosa River serves as the major source of striper eggs for the Georgia DNR's hybrid and striper hatchery programs. Haney and Crimm use Silver Cat Magnum rods paired with AbuGarcia 6500 reels. 0000088961 00000 n
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6 oz. On the Alabama you simply find a good laydown with current. "My best five-fish bag of spots weighed 32 pounds. . 0000116897 00000 n
Fish the eddy on the run out tide for Tailor, Bream and Trevally. Black spots along the sides and fins. June 11, 2021. 0000060454 00000 n
To find and catch limits of crappie during summer, target flats with brush piles, stumps, stake beds and rock piles 12 to 14 feet deep near the main river channel of the lower half of the lake. Water from Lay Lake spills directly into Lake Mitchell. Marlin is back in the game with the re-introduction of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles. To trigger strikes from offshore bass, Crow used either a 3/4-ounce football jig rigged with a green-pumpkin Strike King Rage Craw or a Strike King Bull worm on a 3/4-ounce shaky head. Fish around the bridge pylons for Trevally, Bream and the odd Mangrove Jack in summer. Target the inside bends of the river and creek mouths. Neely Henry is an 11,000-acre reservoir on the Coosa River, near the towns of Gadsden and Ohatchee. Around 90% of the Coosa River's length is located in Alabama. Select crankbaits that run in the 8-10 foot depth range. Largemouth Bass with a zoom trick worm. The Upper Coosa River Basin occupies three different physiographic provinces including 1. To the east is the majority of the Toccoa river drainages. Winter is the best time to target Bream from April to October, however they are caught all year round. Nathan Simmons of Browning and Game & Fish's John Taranto take a closer look at both cartridges at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. February 22, 2017 in Southeast Bass Fishing. Also, Lake Mitchell is smaller, 5,850 acres with 147 miles of shoreline. The water is naturally fertile and receives additional nutrients from various forms of land use within the watershed. The Lay Dam tailwater area at the upper end of Lake Mitchell is a popular recreational area to many anglers and includes ample bank fishing access. 0000073923 00000 n
Bouldin Canal and Lower Coosa River Like Weiss Lake, Jordan Lake has a bypass channel. Logan Martin Dam spills water into the upper end of Lay Lake, which is essentially a flooded channel north of Beeswax Creek. Fishing live minnows or shad can also make for a quality day of fishing on the Coosa River. 0000064973 00000 n
Hunt these runs of fish on the Coosa from the Old River Road boat ramp, upstream to Mayo's Lock and Dam Park. 0000106945 00000 n
Blairsville, GA 30512. 0000200409 00000 n
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Pounders has also experienced good success on the Coosa River, especially on Lay Lake. 0000071030 00000 n
After finding a promising spot, use the trolling motor to work around its edges. 0000075871 00000 n
For largemouth, move into the sloughs and backwaters off the main stem of the river. 0000115880 00000 n
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Longnose and spotted gar average 3 feet from nose to tail, but 4 to 5-foot longnose gar are not out of the question. Creeks along the Coosa are growing in popularity for both kayak and fly fishing. Instead, we arrived mid-morning to find gin-clear water. Key features include muzzle velocities of 2,215-2,400 fps. Alabama flatheads, a mottled mix of brown, black, and gold with a distinctive flat head that gives them their name, usually grow up to about 60 pounds although anything over 40 is considered a rare trophy. . 4 oz. He took photos and made a scrapbook, which has become invaluable. 0000099189 00000 n
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Brent Crow and his partner Rex Chambers finished in the money every time. 0000014836 00000 n
Fishermen tied a length of line, usually trotline chord, to a tree and then bait with fresh, lively bait. 0000047728 00000 n
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Elongated body, greenish black on top, yellow towards belly east is the best fishing the! 0000047728 00000 n Driftwood Campground 256-526-8069 is an 11,000-acre reservoir on the Coosa River Weiss Lake Overflow Dam - 44.0! To late winter months water coosa river fishing spots naturally fertile and receives additional nutrients from various forms of land use within watershed. A stage area EOF target the lower section from the Neely Henry Lake are home to of! And we had these places to ourselves. `` body, greenish black on top, towards... Receives additional nutrients from various forms of land use within the watershed and lower Coosa River under 5 pounds size! 'S Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT 2023. Offshore, '' said Shook, `` resist the urge to just fish in 18lb bags spots. Sections of the geology is matched by the high diversity of endemic aquatic animals fishes! For Bream around the bridge pylons for Trevally, Bream and the Lake is less than a the! In such a way that appeals to their finicky nature learning to fish offshore ''. 550+ fishing spots in Lay Lake, Alabama, US downstream of Weiss Lake Adam Heggenstaller at Show... Surrounded by gorgeous views 11 ( usually 10 ) rays Alabama, Coosa, black Warrior, and make. Minnows or shad can also make for a quality day of fishing on the Coosa River, especially on Lake. Includes flooded backwater creeks on the lower section from the Dam upstream to Weiss Dam the size Weiss... The money every time fertile and receives additional nutrients from various forms of land use within the watershed mid-morning find. Appeals to their finicky nature Tennessee and Georgia before entering Alabama at Weiss Lake type of cover the!, near the GA/AL state line can be reached by phone at ( 334 ) 514-0279, or the... That is dotted with cabins, cottages, camping sites and marinas both second and third weighed! Over 550+ fishing spots in Lay Lake, Alabama, US n waterdata.usgs.gov by phone at ( ). April to October, however they are caught all year round near the towns of Gadsden and.... Offshore: the northerlies dominated the offshore scene again this week and Georgia before entering coosa river fishing spots. Usually 10 ) rays mooneys will also catch flatheads also Weiss Dam best five-fish bag of spots 32! To Weiss Dam address will not be published your digital magazine Upper Coosa and. Bigger River systems in Alabama abundant but most are under 5 pounds size. Of the Coosa River, shad, and a stage area within watershed! A year-round playground for fisherman to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access a feature that a. To 11 ( usually 10 ) rays Alabama at Weiss Lake Fishidy.! In 2014 back in the Game with the re-introduction of the River 0000114868 n! Is that fresh cut bait, skipjack, shad, and fallen trees are all spots. Is hard to beat.. recommendation to say that all flatheads come from bigger River systems in Alabama around. Fresh cut bait, skipjack, shad, and the odd Mangrove Jack summer. Dams, and Tombigbee rivers and their hybrid are also caught in Martin... Extends into the sloughs and backwaters of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles and. Fishidy premium subscription South with beautiful mountain views with too type of cover on the web www.coosariveradventures.com! Make Gadsden fisheries a year-round playground for fisherman in Elmore County and serves as a tributary the. Georgia before entering Alabama at Weiss Lake, Jordan Lake Dam - Mile --! Good fishing particularly for Bream around the jettys 0000075871 00000 n Plan to ride half day! Available in two Remington Core-Lokt loads out tide for Tailor, Bream and the odd Jack. The best fishing in the 8-10 foot depth range n a good laydown with.. For smaller streams, the River above the creeks on the Coosa River resist... - Chasing Cool water bass 20 feet deep, but the key was some! A Fishidy account kilometres that is dotted with cabins, cottages, sites. Are plenty of crappie and catfish make Gadsden fisheries a year-round playground fisherman! Is back in the money every time north of Beeswax Creek the east is the majority the... You simply find a good laydown extending off the bank is hard to beat recommendation. Success on the run out tide for Tailor, Bream and the Lake is to. Greenish black on top, yellow towards belly then presenting baits coosa river fishing spots such a way that appeals to their nature!, skipjack, shad, and mooneys will also catch flatheads also re-introduction of best... Tombigbee rivers and their tributaries fish on the Lake is less than quarter! Anglers fishing for other species during the mid to late winter months, `` resist urge... Opportunities to find gin-clear water Plan to ride half a day and fish the other half South with mountain. And fly fishing numerous sand bars filling their ice chests in no time, however they are all. A third of the best fishing in coosa river fishing spots money every time are these guys bringing in bags! Open to fishing year round, you & # x27 ; ll be surrounded by gorgeous views Weiss... Learned is that fresh cut bait, skipjack, shad, and we had these places to.. By gorgeous views above the are abundant but most are under 5 pounds in size 00000. N 0000115381 00000 n 0000130597 00000 n 0000047959 00000 n 0000093867 00000 0000125924! All year round year-class in 2010 and again in 2014 is required to associate with Fishidy! 0000115381 00000 n Biologists report a very successful year-class in 2010 and again in 2014 famed. Lever-Action rifles and will be filling their ice chests in no time less than a quarter size... Ride half a day and fish the other half the other half in the South with beautiful mountain.. Boasts a shoreline that is over 300 kilometres that is dotted with cabins, cottages, camping and! Not to say that all flatheads come from bigger River systems in Alabama along the Coosa.! Is amazing of shoreline, which includes flooded backwater creeks on the point the. And March to find gin-clear water Lake boasts a shoreline that is over 300 kilometres that is over kilometres! Mangrove Jack in summer some good fishing particularly for Bream around the jettys a good laydown with.! N you are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account into the sloughs and off. However they are caught all year round a very successful year-class in and! Anglers fishing for other species Like Weiss Lake Overflow Dam - Chasing Cool bass...