Fishing Report For Lake Martin, AL

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

The expanded use of forward-facing sonar and other high-tech fish finders is providing anglers, who fish from a boat, with a real-time view of where these spotted bass are holding. The catch rate has increased considerably, and anglers are picking their targets to catch the bigger spots. New lures, line, tackle and equipment has also improved success for anglers fishing from the bank. Savvy anglers, who study spotted bass life cycle and patterns, are still managing to catch nice fish, with or without the new electronics.

SUMMER. Spots are being caught on steep, rocky banks, ledges, humps, drop-offs and standing timber, in 15 to 30 feet of water. They are gathering in small schools, and hold in this slightly deeper water. They prefer to move up and down the water column on steep banks looking for food and ideal water temperatures. They are feeding shallow early and late in the day, where they are being caught on topwater, crankbaits and swimbaits. Drop-shots, Ned rigs, and wacky-rigged stick worms are catching finicky bass when the bite is slow. They feed here on gizzard shad, threadfin shad, blueback herring, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points and ledges. Spots are also holding in the shade of heavy, shallow vegetation like pads. The best reports are coming from anglers fishing around Proctor Creek and submerged bridges. During the hottest months they will move even deeper, to around 50 feet deep, and feed primarily on shad.

FALL. Once Fall begins to cool the shallows, spotted bass here follow schools of baitfish into coves and bays, where spoons, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits, are often very successful.

WINTER. Winter will draw them in large groups, around deeper structure, points and creek channels - anywhere there is baitfish. They can be found from 15 to 30 feet deep in Winter. Here they hold, feeding less aggressively, waiting warmer water to return in Spring.

SPRING. When water temperatures warm into the low 60's, spotted bass will moved from deep wintering areas to shallower water, just outside spawning bays and coves. At this time they will be focused on the spawn. Once water warms into the high 60's, they move into shallow water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately upon spawning, females move to deeper water. Males will remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males join the females. Deep crankbaits, spinnerbaits, small jigs, plastic worms and swimbaits are good bets for catching spotted bass in late Spring.

Current Fishing Report: Good

Both black and white crappie are being caught using new technologies, reducing the amount of time it takes to locate schools. Forward-facing sonar is allowing anglers, fishing from a boat, to locate schools and focus fishing time on areas with good numbers of crappie. This is true for trolling or casting. Anglers fishing from the bank still have to search the old fashion way, via test casting, until a school is located. Then, they are catching them just as anglers have for many decades.

SUMMER. Both black crappie and white crappie reside here with black crappie the more dominant species. Water temperatures are currently in the high 70's, and crappie fishing has been good. Now that the spawn is over, and the hot Summer sun is warming the shallows, crappie have retreated to depths of 15 to 25 feet, or deeper. Anglers are locating schools of crappie hanging over deep timber, around concrete pilings, above rocky structures and around creek channel edges.

FALL. When Fall arrives, baitfish move into shallow flats and bays, which draw crappie into these areas, where they will feed heavily in preparation for the cold Winter. Small spoons, along with jigs and minnows, are good options during this feeding marathon.

WINTER. Winter will have the shallows cooling rapidly, crappie will migrate to deeper holding areas, mostly off shore. There they are typically caught using a very slow presentation, in 20 to 25 feet of water. Even though they are typically not on the bottom, they are relating to some cover, or structure change, below them.

SPRING. In early Spring, crappie will be staging in 10 to 15 feet of water, just outside spawning bays and shallow flats. Spring is prime time to be on the water, as crappie have moved shallow to spawn, where they are usually caught in 2 to 10 feet of water. Docks, brush, wood and vegetation are where most anglers catch good numbers using small crappie jigs or live minnows. Anglers report good success using fish finders and forward facing sonar to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Light tackle with 4 lb to 8 lb line is a popular choice.

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

Bass fishing is currently experiencing major changes in the way anglers are approaching the sport. The expanded use of high-tech fish finders is giving anglers, who fish from a boat, a distinct advantage. The fishing hasn't really changed, but the catch rate has increased considerably. The advent of new lures and equipment has improved success for anglers fishing from the bank as well. Savvy anglers, who study bass patterns, continue to catch nice fish, with or without the new gadgets.

SUMMER. Bass are feeding shallow early and late in the day, where they are being caught on topwater, jerkbaits, crankbaits and swimbaits. Wacky-rigged stick worms are catching finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on gizzard shad, threadfin shad, blueback herring, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 15 to 30 feet deep. The best reports seem to be from anglers fishing around Wind Creek State Park, Oakachoy Creek and areas with slightly stained water and baitfish.

FALL. Once Fall arrives, bass here follow schools of baitfish into coves and bays, where spoons, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits, have been very successful.

WINTER. Winter will isolate them around deeper structure, points and creek channels. They can be found from 20 to 30 feet deep, or deeper. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's in Spring, largemouth will move from deep wintering spots to shallower water just outside spawning areas. They will start to focus on the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 1 to 4 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males will remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water. After the spawn, crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms and swimbaits are catching bass during this period.