Known as the "Bass Fishing Capitol of the World," Lake Eufaula floods 45,000 acres of the Alabama-Georgia border. The lake homes a healthy crappie population, but most anglers visit Lake Eufaula in hopes of snagging a trophy bass.
Sam Williams of Hawk's Guide Service says to concentrate efforts in areas with patches of lily pads. "With the disappearance of the hydrilla, the ledge fishing is coming back, along with the deep water structure (mostly man made).The cold, rainy winter has left the water temp very low and the water dirty. Still, the dedicated crappie hunter are taking larger than normal fish. They are still deep, with some smaller ones biting in the shallower water. As spring begins to bring warmer days, the water temp is beginning to stay in the low to mid 50's and this is bringing the fish to life more each day. Williams' most-productive techniques are drifting and dragging minnows near creek ledges and river drop-offs to entice crappie bites. The bluegill are still a few weeks away from their normal bedding activity, the cold water temps have pushed all the spawning back a few weeks. The bass down river have been fanning beds and staging. The sandy bottom holds heat and helps warm things up faster. The constant moving water also keeps the temps lower. When the rains slow up, the Corps will not have to move as much water from up North where they are getting pounded and flooded.
To snag large bass, Williams recommends fishing Big Bite Bait frogs on 12- to 14-pound-test line. He also counts on crankbaits including Emerald Strike crank baits near ledges and humps; White Ayu-colored or Red Shad-colored Kinami Rattle Flashes or Emerald Strike lipless crank baits in sexy shad or sexy chrome color.
When fishing in a current, Williams has found a winning combination to catch big lunkers. "Rig a watermelon-candy-colored or kiwi-colored trick worm on a Fin-Tech Knuckle Ball — the hottest shakey head jig on the market," Williams reveals. "Work it slow and it will stand up and shimmer in the slightest little current. The bass can not stand it."The Fin-Tec Title Shot has been a hot number this winter and spring. They are taking the jig with no skirt and rigging a Sinko and working the deep water wood and rocks on the river and creek ledges. The "keeper" holds the bait firm and you get more fish per bait
Remember, when you are in Eufaula, Alabama be sure and visit the new S & K Outdoors where you will find discount priced everyday. You can also visit the Lee King Foundation center, located in the store, and find out more about this devastating disease, Niemann-Pick, and sign up for the June 12 buddy tournament. FLW will return to Eufaula again this year to handle the weigh-in with the event being broadcast live on Anglers Channel.com for your family at home to see.
Be safe on the water and respect the boats that are fishing when you pass by. Keep your rain gear handy and be sure and have your camera onboard as beautiful Lake Eufaula always offers some breath taking sites to record for your future memories.
