Lake Eufaula, AL Fishing Report

Water level 188.93 msl
Water Temperature  49 to 56 degrees warmer down South in shallows
Clarity, Muddy

The high winds and rains have kept the water muddy.

Bass are continuing to hit noisy baits. Lipless cranks, crank baits, spinner baits, chatter baits and rattling jigs are all doing the trick. Any grassy points are holding fish, especially around points. Under water structure and brush piles are holding bait. The bass coming to the tournament scales are looking very healthy and the are averaging heavier than last year .

Crappie are still being very difficult with the muddy water. As soon as it begins to clear up, look out. they are ready. The night fishermen are doing a little better under the lights.

Make your plans for April fishing on Lake Eufaula. The weather will settle down, the water will be clearing up, the water is up over all the new cover and it is going to be really hot. Do not miss the action and remember to take some of the smaller fish and all the spots home to eat. We still have a large population of smaller legal fish. If we thin them out, we will see more large bass.

Remember to check out the www.leekingbenefit.org web site. Join us in June for a great tournament to help the kid's. Watch for some exciting new announcements in the near future about new partnerships to  benefit more causes.

Keep plenty of water and sun screen with you and enjoy the beauty God has created for our enjoyment.

God Bless & Good Fishn'
Capt. Sam

The constant rains have the river extremely muddy. 
The weather has kept us off the river for the time being to give an accurate report as to what the fish are actually doing.

Spring fishing on Lake Eufaula promises to be the hottest in years. The water has been below normal low for nearly two years now. God always has good to show from all things. We are going to benefit from the new growth on all the shore lines and islands exposed during this long period. For those who do not enjoy the deep ledge fishing, look out, there will be bait fish in all these new areas and the bass and other fish will be there eating.

For those who enjoy the ledge fishing, with the loss of the hydrilla over the past couple of years, the old ledge bite is coming back. Last June, during the Lee King Tournament, I had one of our older fishermen tell me he went up river, found one of his old ledge spots and worked it all day, culling fish. The hydrilla took this off the table to a great extent; it became more of a catch one or two and run to the next ledge spot. We got used to finding the fish all stacked up in the old days. Eufaula is coming back the way it used to be. It has always been a good water to fish, in the past few years it took more skill and work but the easy fishing will be back soon.

This spring, the frog and top water shallow bite will be on fire, those who like the soft plastics, Texas or finesse rigs, and the shallow and first drop bite will be on. Jigs are always a good bet to help the anxious fisherman to slow down. Spinner baits and buzz baits are another sure bait to throw on the shallow covered areas. A shallow running crank bait works off the edge of these cover areas. The fluke type baits, either on top or weighted just beneath the surface are another productive tool. When you find dingy water, the chatter bait will draw attention to your lure.

The ledge fishing is a challenge for the fisherman when it comes to locating the correct areas. A good sonar unit is necessary in finding the drops, ledges and brush cover that hold the fish. Also the points under water are good spots to locate in the deep water. Another way to locate these points is to study the tree line coming off the points on land or islands coming into the river or creeks. Where you see the tree tops sloping down towards the water (they look like someone has trimmed the tops like a hedge, slanting down like they are pointing to the water).Watching your sonar, follow this angle into the water and begin crossing back and forth over this area, getting further off shore until you find the point in the deepest water. This is where you will find the fish holding when the sun is high and the temperature is hot. The shallow point is for morning fishing, the fish only move to the first deeper area during the heat. Bass do not travel far as long as they have a food source. Throw your makers on both sides of the point as you move to deeper water, if you mark trash or fish as you go. These are spots to come back to while working this area. The deep points work best when the water is moving.

The ledge fisherman will enjoy getting his favorite deep water arsenal ready for action. The Ledgebuster spinner baits are a favorite, bounced on the drop, work them like a jig. They are flashy and noisy and are a good choice in dirty water. Carolina rigs are good any time; Heavy jigs are good when you need a very slow presentation. Deep running crank baits are also productive. Try to match shape of lure to the bait the bass are feeding on. If you find threadfin shad are the food of choice, the black dot on your bait will draw a strike. I keep a black magic marker in my boat and change any lure when I need to. I do not believe the bass know one color from another, but they do react to the spot and shape when feeding. If the bass like a slow presentation, I will throw the deepest lipped bait I have and roll it slow and it will still reach the depth I need.

When I find feeding fish working the surface, I like to work a lipless crank bait under the school. You will find the bigger, smarter, bass down below waiting on the injured shad. Like humans, they learn to let the youngsters do the heavy work.

With all our creeks and coves, Lake Eufaula offers a safe place to fish in most weather conditions. The creeks offer plenty of fishing waters when the wind gets up and the river is not safe.

When fishing up river, Lake Point has a full marina and food at the lodge. Mid way of the lake ,going South, you can go into Taylor creek and find food and gas and at the dam, George T. Bagby State Park on the Georgia side has a full marina, and food. You can tie up at any of these locations and your boat will be safe.

Please visit www.leekingbenefit.org and see new new sponsors as well as signing up for the June 7, 2013 event. Tell your bass clubs about us and invite the club members to support our efforts to find a cure for these terminal Niemann-Pick disease children. If your club has buddy tournaments, contact us on how you can do your event and ours at the same time. We will give your weigh master a day off.

God Bless & Good Fishn' 
Capt. Sam

Spring fishing on Lake Eufaula promises to be the hottest in years. The water has been below normal low for nearly two years now. God always has good to show from all things. We are going to benefit from the new growth on all the shore lines and islands exposed during this long period. For those who do not enjoy the deep ledge fishing, look out, there will be bait fish in all these new areas and the bass and other fish will be there eating.

For those who enjoy the ledge fishing, with the loss of the hydrilla over the past couple of years, the old ledge bite is coming back. Last June, during the Lee King Tournament, I had one of our older fishermen tell me he went up river, found one of his old ledge spots and worked it all day, culling fish. The hydrilla took this off the table to a great extent; it became more of a catch one or two and run to the next ledge spot. We got used to finding the fish all stacked up in the old days. Eufaula is coming back the way it used to be. It has always been a good water to fish, in the past few years it took more skill and work but the easy fishing will be back soon.

This spring, the frog and top water shallow bite will be on fire, those who like the soft plastics, Texas or finesse rigs, and the shallow and first drop bite will be on. Jigs are always a good bet to help the anxious fisherman to slow down. Spinner baits and buzz baits are another sure bait to throw on the shallow covered areas. A shallow running crank bait works off the edge of these cover areas. The fluke type baits, either on top or weighted just beneath the surface are another productive tool. When you find dingy water, the chatter bait will draw attention to your lure.

The ledge fishing is a challenge for the fisherman when it comes to locating the correct areas. A good sonar unit is necessary in finding the drops, ledges and brush cover that hold the fish. Also the points under water are good spots to locate in the deep water. Another way to locate these points is to study the tree line coming off the points on land or islands coming into the river or creeks. Where you see the tree tops sloping down towards the water (they look like someone has trimmed the tops like a hedge, slanting down like they are pointing to the water).Watching your sonar, follow this angle into the water and begin crossing back and forth over this area, getting further off shore until you find the point in the deepest water. This is where you will find the fish holding when the sun is high and the temperature is hot. The shallow point is for morning fishing, the fish only move to the first deeper area during the heat. Bass do not travel far as long as they have a food source. Throw your makers on both sides of the point as you move to deeper water, if you mark trash or fish as you go. These are spots to come back to while working this area. The deep points work best when the water is moving.

The ledge fisherman will enjoy getting his favorite deep water arsenal ready for action. The Ledgebuster spinner baits are a favorite, bounced on the drop, work them like a jig. They are flashy and noisy and are a good choice in dirty water. Carolina rigs are good any time; Heavy jigs are good when you need a very slow presentation. Deep running crank baits are also productive. Try to match shape of lure to the bait the bass are feeding on. If you find threadfin shad are the food of choice, the black dot on your bait will draw a strike. I keep a black magic marker in my boat and change any lure when I need to. I do not believe the bass know one color from another, but they do react to the spot and shape when feeding. If the bass like a slow presentation, I will throw the deepest lipped bait I have and roll it slow and it will still reach the depth I need.

When I find feeding fish working the surface, I like to work a lipless crank bait under the school. You will find the bigger, smarter, bass down below waiting on the injured shad. Like humans, they learn to let the youngsters do the heavy work.

With all our creeks and coves, Lake Eufaula offers a safe place to fish in most weather conditions. The creeks offer plenty of fishing waters when the wind gets up and the river is not safe.

When fishing up river, Lake Point has a full marina and food at the lodge. Mid way of the lake ,going South, you can go into Taylor creek and find food and gas and at the dam, George T. Bagby State Park on the Georgia side has a full marina, and food. You can tie up at any of these locations and your boat will be safe.

Lake Eufaula, Alabama
January 17, 2013

Water Level today 188.47 msl
Water Temperature today 60 degrees
Water clarity - extremely muddy

The river level resembles a window shade lately, thankfully if is remaining higher,even with the fluctuation.In the past 24 hours we had 2 inches of rain North of town and the level went from 188.36 to 188.47, so it is not all leaving. We have had lots of needed rain and the Corps if trying to hold it up more. The crazy weather swings have had the water temperature all over the charts as well, last week the water was in the low 50's, today it is in the low 60's, with more changes in store with more cold fronts. These changes keep the fish confused and it is difficult to set patterns. The bass remain mostly deep and due to the muddy water, noisy rattling jigs and deep cranks or large heavy spinner baits are attracting attention. Bumping heavy jigs over wood or rocks will draw a strike.

There is always a positive from every negative situation, that said, even though the river has been dangerously low for so long, it happened during the growing season, I am a retired farmer, all the exposed banks and islands were covered with beneficial vegetation that is now under water. If you paid attention to these areas and they remain under into the spring,they will hold all the bait fish for the game fish to feed on. If the rains continue and we are able to keep the water up, spring fishing is going to be the best in years. We have had some good bass, over eight pounds, reported being caught off the deep ledges over the past month. The game commission reported a huge shad and bass hatch last year, so make plans for your trip to Lake Eufaula, bring your cooler and take some of the smaller fish home for a great, healthy meal.

When the water clears up, the crappie will begin to hit better. They have been on the top of the creek ledges, they just do not do as well when you can see deer tracks i=on the water, but we need all the rain we can get. Trolling minnow tipped jigs will be the trick.

Dress very warm, layers are good, as the sun rises up and the wind drops, you will need to shed some layers. Water is just as important in the cold as the heat and always remember your sunscreen. Come and enjoy the fishing on Lake Eufaula, God has created a beautiful place here to relax and spend time with family and friends.

Please visit www.leekingbenefit.org and register for the June 8,2013 Lee King Tournament. Flight ! is full.

God Bless & Good Fishn'
Capt. Sam

Lake level - 185.53 msl
Water Temperature - 56 +
Water Clarity - Clear to slight stain

Lake remains very low, navigation is safe in marked river and creek channels. Use extreme caution when traveling to cover areas when crossing shallows.

Bass are hitting heavy spoons jigged over deep cover. Jig's worked over deep cover are also working. Slow presentations are the trick as the water cools down and fish become more lethargic.

Crappie are good on trolled jig's tipped with minnows. Setting up over drop's with cover and fishing live minnows are working for those not set up for trolling. Night fishing around the causeways and bridges under lights is also getting hot.

Cats are slower now but still hitting worms fished on the bottom on the creek or river drops, especially near cover of trash piles.

Be sure and check out www.leekingbenefit.org , we have filled the first flight now and we have folks buying entry fee's for grandchildren as Christmas gifts. Sigh up for our free news letter on the foundation site.

Merry Christmas, enjoy the outdoors God has given us to use and respect.

God Bless & Good Fishn'
Capt. Sam

Bass are holding on the structure and brush piles on the drops. Jigs and spoons are working.

Crappie are getting better on the creek drops

Low water, be safe when running the creeks and river. Use the markers, best of all, use your electronics maps.

Bass are still best in deep water. The river ledges are producing bass. The Alabama rig is working below the bridges.

Crappie are getting ready and the trolling looks like it is going to be the way . Tip your jigs with minnows. Chris, at Sportsman's Lodge on North 431 has what you need.

Low water, be safe when running the creeks and river. Use the markers, best of all, use your electronics maps.

Bass are still best in deep water. The river ledges are producing bass. The Alabama rig is working below the bridges.

Crappie are getting ready and the trolling looks like it is going to be the way . Tip your jigs with minnows. Chris, at Sportsman's Lodge on North 431 has what you need.

Water remains low, water is cooling down. The high winds are keeping the water dirty. Crappie will be doing good if you can stay on them in the winds. The bass are stubborn, with the changing weather you must work for them.

The weather is cold this week, winds are high and the river remains very low. This week is the best week to finalize your hunting site or tune up your fishing tackle.

Weather men predict better warmer temperatures and lower winds next week. The water is cooling down and the crappie are getting set for a good fall season.

Watch out for the the stumps if you are on the water.

Low water , navigate with caution. Water temp. is dropping, crappie will be hot very soon.

Bass are deep when the sun comes up, shallow bite still works early and during overcast periods

Water remains low and is cooling down. Jig bite is good , swimming slow shallow or deep after the sun is up in 18 to 30 feet. Big lipped cranks worked slow are producing. Alr=tering them with shot will get them down deep. Slow is the answer.

Crappie will be better when the fronts settle down, Trolling will be hot in a few weeks

Joim Fishhound and use leeking in the promo spot and our foundation will get a monthly donation from Fishhound. Visit www.leekingbenefit for other way to support these terminal kid's.

God Bless & Good Fishn'

Sam

The jig bite is on and the bass are deep. This is the most fun and the weather is great.

Shell crackers are biting just off the flats

Crappie are on the drops

The lake is still very low and requires caution when navigating. Stay in the creeks and river channel, use your maps, there are some markers missing.

The water is colored very good and cooling off.

Bass are active, hitting soft plastics and cranks

The cooler weather has dropped the water temperature. The bass are active and the shad are still schooling. Any hard bait with a threadfin dot is working. The early bite is still on with frogs and flukes. The fish will be moving off the ledges more as the water continues to cool down

The river continues to drop, caution is more inportant that ever. With missing river and creek markers, a goor map in your depth finder is a really safe way to navigate.

Water level   185.83 msl
Temperature    mid 80's
Clarity        clear to slight stain GOOD

The river remains low, great for fishing, requires caution for navigation. The water is cooling down and the shad have become active. Look for the bait working and you are on feeding fish. Match the bait is the trick. Keep a black magic marker with you. When you select your favorite lure, place a shad mark on the lateral line just behind the gills. Most of the bait are thread fin shad, a favorite of bass and crappie. You will see the increase in hits. The shallow grass and pads continue to hold bass early.

Pan fish are around brush and hangovers on banks.
Wigglers are the best bet.

Cat fish keep on cooperating, bottom fishing with big worms will put some good food on the supper table. Jug fishing is really fun for the fishermen who wants a little more action in his cat fishing experience. It will keep you moving and the kid's will not get bored.

The sunny days are still very hot on the water. Keep suntan lotion and water with you.

The Day on the Lake with Tim Horton and Keith Pochet drawing is coming up Sept 24. Please visit www.leekingbenefit.org and purchase you tax detectable $5.00 ticket. The kid's need your help.

We are in for some hot fishing on Lake Eufaula this fall, come and have some fun. Please take a few of the smaller bass and enjoy a good meal.

God Bless & Good Fishn'
Capt. Sam

The river remains low and the daily rains and storms make for short days on the water.

The shad are very active and matching the bait will produce some good fish.

Cats are still doing well, jugs are a great way to stay busy.

Pan fish are being caught around shore cover.

The upcoming cool weather will make everything change for the good.

It is getting close to the drawing for the Day on the Lake with Keith Pochet and Timmy Horton, sponsored by Bonnie Plants. Visit www.leekingbenefit.org and buy your $5.00 ticket and help us find a cure for these terminal Niemann-Pick kid's.

God Bless & Good Fishn'
Sam

Lake still low, Water cooling off just a little.

Fishing still the same

Afternoon storms are cutting the fishing time short