DEMOPOLIS NOV. 2005

WARRIOR RIVER / DEMOPOLIS LAKE
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
Impounded 1954
Lake Level: Up and down / winter rains

Winter on Demopolis Lake

I've spent a lifetime fishing the Warrior River. Most of it fishing Bankhead Lake near my home in Birmingham, Alabama. But I can remember dozens of trips further south on the Warrior River as I got old enough to drive. Further south just below the city of Tuscaloosa the Warrior River joins with another major waterway, The Tombigbee River. This two river junction is located about one mile above the town of Demopolis, thus the lake is called Demopolis Lake. Impounded in 1954 this is more like fishing a river than an impounded lake, that is more spread out. So you fish it like any river during the winter months.

This can mean fishing the main water way along deep river bends, around bridge pilings, the mouths of creeks or the mouths of the many backwaters, cuts and small pockets found here. Although many anglers choose to stay on the main river, there is some fantastic fishing to be had up in the backwaters. But conditions have to be right. Many of these small openings can be seen as you cruise the river. Some look barely big enough to allow a bass boat in. With small, silted in mouths they can be deceiving. But upon entering they can open up into a small lake, often with water 10 feet deep. Good enough for ol' bigmouth bass to call home this winter.

There are cypress trees, laying trees, stumps, brush piles and log jams, not to mention a variety of aquatic weeds to choose to target, as you fish your way back in these hidden places. These are some of the fishiest looking waters around. But not every piece of fishy looking cover holds bass in winter. Weeds can be dead or dying. Very cold water or worse could be muddy water from heavy winter rains. Any of these negatives can move these bass. But where?

The mouths, where these creeks and cuts meet the main river, shows more productive places, easier to fish and more dependable places, following severe rains or cold fronts. Also spotted bass gather here in numbers. During winter there are many ways to fish these creek mouths and the mouths of small cuts and pockets. These places previously had a defined channel that led from the far back ends all the way to the main river. After years of flooding and constant barge traffic, most mouths are silted in with scattered wood and rock cover down below.

An angler should approach these obvious bass holding spots, fishing as he gets closer. This would mean using long 6-7 foot rods, coupled with 12-15 pound test line, including long casts with deep diving crankbaits, or even shallow to mid running crankbaits, rattling lipless lures in the 1/2 ounce to 3/4 ounce category or dropping heavy spinnerbaits. Then move in closer and fish the mouth and up in the backwaters with topwaters, spinnerbaits, floating and suspending jerkbaits and a variety of lures fished on bottom. Texas rigged worms, crayfish, tube baits, jig combos and plastic lizards should be tried. Many anglers try various lures on the Carolina rig, with various leader lengths. A last ditch effort would be to vertical jig with small jigs or spoons, right under the boat, in 10-30 feet of water to locate the school.

Demopolis Lake has many places to explore this winter. Give it a try or call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Over 30 years fishing Alabama's Lakes for bass and stripers.

Thanks, be safe and enjoy good fishing this winter season...
This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com