The Tailrace
PATTERN 3
Ideal Conditions
there must be current, and a pro needs to get there early to beat the crowd.
Location on the Lake
the extreme upper end below Guntersville Dam.
Baits
jigs, swimbaits and crankbaits.
Potential to Win
the tailrace can produce tournament-winning fish, but there might not be
enough water to go around if a group of pros decides to run upstream and
share the space. that said, outside of the best community holes directly
below the dam, there could be a lesser-known winning spot a bit farther
downstream where there’s still a lot of felt current to attract bass.
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Shallow Topwater
PATTERN 4
SPRO Bronzeye Pop
Ideal Conditions
hot weather with sunshine, especially around bream beds.
Location on the Lake
everywhere, though the creeks likely will be better. a
morning schooling bite could take place on the main lake.
Baits
Frogs, popping frogs, poppers, buzzbaits and walking baits.
Potential to Win
it’s hit or miss. the bream-bed pattern is a five-bites-a-day
kind of deal, but the biggest bass in summer do tend to
feed on bluegills up shallow. Where shad school up in the
creeks, the morning topwater bite could be strong. also,
some backwaters house enough shallow grass and wood
to potentially make this a winner regardless of the bluegill
spawn and shad locations.
Pitching and Junk-Fishing
PATTERN 5
Ideal Conditions
any and all weather conditions, though it’s probably
more likely to win if there’s no current or bluegill spawn
to support the other patterns mentioned.
Location on the Lake
everywhere.
Baits
jigs, texas rigs, crankbaits, topwater, wacky rigs and
tubes.
Potential to Win
this late in the summer, an old-fashioned junk-fishing
approach could do it for a pro willing to burn a lot of
fuel. that said, brad knight’s 2015 cup win proved that
a shallow flipping bite – with finesse baits – can win out
in just one key area, if the area is right. inflowing water
and stable water level would be necessary.
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016 I FLWFISHING.COM
Zoom Brush Hog
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