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I made a visit again to Alabama to chase after some striped bass on the Coosa River once more, in fact throughout a number of the hottest days attainable in late July. Becoming a member of me once more in my attainable warmth stroke adventures was our extra firearms, searching, and offroad-inclined Alabama man Paul B. We solely appear to satisfy up when the warmth index is above 100 for some cause. Final yr we met additional south at Lake Jordan to attempt to fish the dam’s tailrace there.
This yr we did get to fish the dam tailrace of Neely Henry Lake. Each lakes are on the Coosa River system and have wholesome populations of striped bass, catfish, largemouth, and noticed bass. The river begins close to me up in Northwest Georgia then flows via Alabama until it reaches the Alabama River after which flows into Cell Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The objective of the journey once more was to attempt to catch some striper that are inclined to congregate within the deep oxygenated water of the tailrace, however our fishing journeys seldom go to plan it appears.
The lake is located not too removed from each of us solely an hour and a half to the dam. I do wish to notice there are parking heaps you may pull into on either side of the dam. However solely the east aspect of the dam has a fishing pier and is near the water outflow from energy technology. The plan was to satisfy within the car parking zone proper round dawn, however once we acquired there we noticed loads of individuals had gotten right here even earlier. As soon as we each acquired there we began rigging up our rods with some bucktails and spoons. We didn’t have any bait but so it was artificials solely until we acquired some.
After half-hour of casting the bucktails and spoons, we had nothing to indicate for it apart from some frayed leaders from snagging on the rocky backside. Switching to topwater and sub-surface plugs wasn’t the trick both. So we determined it was time to get some reside bait, fortunately I had introduced certainly one of my solid nets simply in case. Seeing some guys fishing close to the bottom of the pier get some bait within the rocks I adopted their instance. However my 8ft solid internet with heavy lead line was not the precise alternative. I nearly ended up dropping it to the rocks as a result of I couldn’t shut it up quick sufficient. Fortunately I may nonetheless attain the horn of the web and open it as much as pull it off the rocks.
Fortunate for us a neighborhood noticed my battle and informed me the place I wanted to be throwing the web. There’s a deep eddy proper subsequent to the dam on the finish of the fishing pier. This space doesn’t have as many shallow rocks to get snagged on, so until you actually let your internet sink you have to be tremendous. Together with the solid netting suggestions he even informed us learn how to arrange our rigs right here to focus on striped bass. We talked for a bit with him giving us loads of native information of learn how to fish the tailrace. So even with the information of learn how to rig up I nonetheless had an issue nonetheless, I used to be lacking all my three-way swivels. I had misplaced my rigging sort out bag throughout my transfer, so we needed to make do with a bizarre double swivel arrange. It labored very meh and tangled typically nevertheless it was ok. We even acquired just a few quick strikes however nonetheless no striper.
After sharing some further shad I had netted up and beginning to discuss with a number of the different locals on the pier helped us out much more with information I wasn’t capable of finding on-line. The man whos a daily on the dam informed us the striper simply weren’t right here but. Whereas they had been usually right here by now, they simply had been gradual to indicate up in any quantity. He additionally informed us how energy technology and water circulate have an effect on fishing. About how when the facility firm provides oxygen to the outflow it actually works up the chunk. Whereas we had been speaking I seen a man additional up the pier was fighting a bigger fish. He had connected on a strong blue cat however didnt have any touchdown gear to get the fish up onto the pier. I had my pier internet, so we coached him into pulling the catfish into the web and acquired it up on deck. He was chasing striper as nicely so didn’t actually wish to take care of the catfish and gave it to one of many guys we had been chatting with. His buddy did catch a 5lbish striper somewhat after this, the one striped bass we noticed the entire morning.
With it solely getting hotter and never eager to get skunked in any case this effort I made a decision I’d slightly catch a catfish over nothing. I shortened up the chief to the hook and began utilizing cut-up shad for bait. I began casting into the eddy as a substitute of the present and instantly began getting bites. It was a bunch of smaller catfish which didnt put up a lot of a combat however a fish is a fish. Whereas I didn’t wish to take care of catfish that day, individuals had been comfortable to take these little guys house. They had been the right dimension to pores and skin after which fry entire, so I can’t blame them.
We fished for a short time longer getting just a few extra cats, however that Alabama summer time solar was punishing. We determined to name it quits and go get some lunch. Mi Casita down the road is an superior little Mexican spot we each extremely suggest for good meals and good costs. Whereas the striper fishing didnt go as deliberate it was nonetheless enjoyable to satisfy up with Paul and get a while on the water. I’ve just a few suggestions for anglers who wish to go fish the Neely Henry Dam. First off pack loads of water, there isn’t a shade on the market, and for those who’re fishing the summer time you’re going to sweat lots. Second discuss to the locals and decide their brains in the event that they’re prepared. Sharing some reside bait is a simple icebreaker. Third, attempt to use the toilet earlier than you get to the dam, it’s a cesspit-style rest room, and the evening fishermen make a large number of it. You’ll be able to actually odor it earlier than you see it from the fishing pier typically. Fourth try the facility technology and water circulate schedule on-line earlier than you intend a visit, Alabama Energy has this arrange on-line right here so that you can see. Lastly, have enjoyable even for those who don’t catch lots get pleasure from being outdoors when you may.
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