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I made a visit again over the border into Alabama this summer time once more to chase after striped bass. Becoming a member of me once more this sizzling July day was our extra looking and offroad-inclined Alabama man Paul B. For some odd cause, we solely appear to fulfill as much as fish in the course of the hottest days attainable in places with no shade. Final yr over at Lake Jordan and now this yr at Neely Henry Lake. Each our bodies of water are part of the Coosa River system. It begins in Georgia and flows all the way down to the west of Montgomery the place it joins the Alabama River earlier than flowing into Cell Bay on the Gulf Coast. Once more this yr, the aim was to attempt to catch some summer time striped bass congregating within the dam tailrace’s extremely oxygenated waters. I’ll let you know now, issues didn’t go as deliberate, however they seldom do on these journeys. No less than this time we bought to fish the tailrace, in contrast to final yr.
Neely Henry Lake is the second lake within the Coosa River system, the primary being Weiss Lake over on the Alabama-Georgia border. It sits simply south of Gadsden Alabama and north of Talladega. The lake itself is effectively often called a great fishing spot for largemouth and noticed bass, however that wasn’t what we have been focusing on at the present time. Within the tailrace, the principle targets are white bass, striped bass, and catfish. My aim was to try to get us on some striped bass. The plan was to fulfill up right here round dawn and hopefully catch some striper.
It was about an hour and a half drive out to the lake, there’s entry to the river on each side of the dam, however the east facet is the one one with an precise fishing pier. It is also the facet the place the ability technology happens. In order that’s the facet we selected to fulfill up at. We bought there proper round dawn however the parking zone was already fairly full with it being the weekend. As soon as we met up had a little bit of breakfast and began rigging up. With none reside bait but I arrange all of the rods with bucktails and spoons to try to work up some fish until we bought some reside bait.
Fishing artificials ended up with a giant ole goose egg of fish after half-hour of casting. We did catch quite a lot of rocks and misplaced quite a lot of gear. So it was time to modify up the plan, we wanted to get some reside bait. I had introduced certainly one of my forged nets simply in case and I’m glad I did. It was a bit sketchy throwing the web although. First I attempted within the calmer water south of the pier, however I ended up nearly dropping the web within the rocks. Fortunately I may nonetheless attain the web horn and open up the web to drag the web out.
An area man watching me instructed me I must be throwing the web from the pier proper subsequent to the dam. That space is deeper and doesn’t have as many rocks to get caught on except I let the web sink all the best way down. He even instructed us arrange our rigs right here to focus on striped bass. After speaking for a bit he needed to go however any native information is all the time welcome. However we had a little bit of an issue, whereas transferring I misplaced my rigging deal with bag so didn’t have any three-way swivels with me. So we used two swivels at a time to try to make due. This labored fairly meh, with a lot of tangles. However we did get just a few quick strikes however no striper nonetheless.
Speaking to among the different locals instructed us some data that I couldn’t discover on-line, the striper simply weren’t right here but. The outdated man who fishes often says usually they rise up to the dam in July however simply haven’t proven up in any quantity but. He additionally instructed us about how the ability technology and water circulate impacts the fishing. How when the ability firm provides oxygen to the outflow it actually works up the chew. As we have been speaking I observed a man fighting a bigger fish. He had hooked as much as chunky blue catfish however didn’t actually have a strategy to get it as much as the fishing pier. So with a bit teaching, we dropped down my pier internet and had that large catfish up on the deck. He was chasing striper as effectively so gave the fish away to one of many outdated guys. We did see his buddy land a 5lbish striper as effectively however that was it within the bass realm for the morning.
Not desirous to go residence skunked I stated to hell with it and altered from reside bait over to chop bait. Reducing up the shad I had netted and shortening up my chief I began fishing the eddie close to the dam to focus on catfish. And the catfish have been positively there, I instantly began getting bites. Nothing large however a small fish is healthier than no fish. Whereas I didn’t need to actually cope with catfish that day, individuals have been very happy to take these little guys residence. They have been the proper dimension to pores and skin after which fry complete, so I can’t blame them.
We fished for a bit bit extra with just a few extra catfish, however that Alabama summer time solar was roasting us so we determined to name it quits and go get some lunch down the road at Mi Casita. Good little Mexican spot with good meals and nice costs. Whereas our day didn’t go to plan, it’s nonetheless all the time enjoyable to get out and get some water time. I’ve a few ideas for anglers who need to go try Neely Henry Lake. First off make certain to pack loads of water, it’s sizzling out and there’s no shade. Second, discuss to the locals they bought information from all their time there. If in case you have spare baits, share some they will actually provide help to out like they did for me. Third, ensure you use the toilet earlier than you get down there, the toilet may be very rudimentary and left messy by in a single day anglers. You possibly can odor it earlier than you see it. Fourth try the ability technology and water circulate schedule on-line earlier than you propose a visit, Alabama Energy has this arrange on-line right here so that you can see. Lastly, have enjoyable even if you happen to don’t catch rather a lot simply take pleasure in being exterior when you may.
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