LOGAN MARTIN SEPT. 2004

COOSA RIVER SYSTEM
LOGAN MARTIN LAKE
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

Impounded 1964
Water Temperature: Mid-to-upper 70's / September.
Water Temperature: Low-to-mid 60's / Oct. - Upper 50's / Nov. Lake Level: Full Pool / September
Lake Level: Falling Winter pool / Early Oct. - Down 3-4 feet / Nov.

Fall Fishing on Logan Martin Lake

SEPTEMBER
Late Summer highs of 80 degrees, shows cooler than normal temperatures for September on Logan Martin Lake, 30 miles from Birmingham, Al. By the end of September Lake levels will begin dropping for winter pool. Shallow feeding bass will begin to school in late September, according to conditions.

Largemouth bass that have lived in and around aquatic weeds for the last 6 months will drop back to the lakes original wood and rock cover. With piers and boathouses holding bass all summer, some piers will still show schools of bass around this man made cover all throughout September.

OCTOBER
Lake levels will begin to drop for winter pool in early October and will be down 3-4 feet by the end of the month. Navigating can be very hazardous for first timers. As lake levels fall, weeds along the lakes original shoreline, will begin to die and show largemouth bass moving to the next available piece of cover.

Stumps, laying trees, piers, boathouses and the mouths of small cuts, creeks and pockets, are places to target for both spotted bass and largemouth bass during October. From mid lake at the Interstate 20 crossing, to the lakes headwaters, will show stained water conditions due to fall rains. Spinnerbaits with oversized blades, featuring bright colors are good lure choices in these lake headwaters. These lures simulate the oversized meals bass eat in the Fall. Bass will feed on the bigger sized end of the year shad, crayfish and larger baitfish available in October and November.

NOVEMBER
By November the lake will be down for winter pool. Often as low as 4-6 feet. The lower the lake level of Logan Martin Lake, the more dangerous it becomes to run, even for old timers. Weeds will be high and dry by November and largemouth bass will move to other forms of cover.

Some largemouth bass and spotted bass will now relate to different bottom composition, ledges, drop-offs and bottom irregularities on the lakes bottom as well. The mouths of creeks and small pockets, rip-rap rocks around bridges, causeways and the lower lake dam, and especially piers near deep water, will now hold bass that prefer the security of deep water nearby.

Schooling bass can be seen throughout the month of November especially around shad schools gathering along main lake flats, main creeks, the mouths of small cuts, pockets and creeks and especially, on rainy or cloudy days. Topwater lures are excellent choices throughout the late Fall period for spotted bass, largemouth bass and an occasional striped bass.

This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"Celebrating 5 Years on the Radio Jan 2004"
Sunday Morning's 9-10 A.M. Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
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Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com