Bankhead Lake Impounded 1916
Mid Alabama
Lake Level: Down one foot
Water Temperature; Late September - Mid 70's (Oct. - low
60's / Nov. low 50's)
Spring Fishing Lake Bankhead
I grew up fishing Bankhead lake. Usually when a lake has
been impounded for over 80 years, it has seen its day of
excellent fishing. Warrior River Impoundment Bankhead Lake,
was dammed up in 1916. This inundated many old farms, houses,
roads, bridges, creeks, feeder streams and the incoming Warrior
River and Little Warrior River. Barge navigated, from nearby
Birmingham to Mobile bay and covered in a variety of weeds,
logjams, residentbuilt piers and houses. The old Warrior
is still an excellent bass fishery.
Pollution from upriver factories has deteriorated the fertile
waters of Warrior river long ago. Garbage has been dumped
into tributaries such as the long, winding feeder creek,
Valley Creek, flowing out of the city of Bessemer, Alabama.
This scenic waterway, has her beauty tarnished, by the uncaring
people, that needlessly continue to pollute her waters.
Valley Creek is navigable for more than 10 miles, as it
winds its course through rock bluff hills. It is situated
in a wonderful countryside atmosphere. The only scar to this
natural beauty, is the notable array of floating plastic
bottles, baseballs, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls
and other floatable objects, strewn for miles along this
beautiful, scenic major feeder creek. The Warrior River waterway
is proof that mother nature can survive...despite all man
does to kill her.
Bankhead Lake in March
Although this Impoundment is kept at full pool yearround
the lake level can fluctuate during Spring. Down at times
(12 feet), these low, fluctuating, water levels always
interrupt shallow water prespawn patterns. With heavy Spring
rains, Bankhead Lake can be over full pool during March.
High and muddy water, can scatter bass into some very shallow
water.
Normal conditions would be full pool with a slight stain
to the water, with water temperatures in the midtoupper 60's.
Under these conditions bass will move to shallow, main lake
flats, the mouths of cuts and small pockets, along points
leading into creeks, around logjams and brush, and in the
far back ends of any shallow, backwater feeder creek.
Wood cover can be found throughout this old, winding river.
Logjams are piledup on main river flats, along outside river
bends, in the mouths of pockets and feeder creeks. These
wooden structures can hold schools of prespawn male and female
bass in March...with the right conditions. As weeds again
turn green, the bass will invade these oxygenproducing homes
and spawn, in and around the thicker weed varieties.
Rock bluffs and deep, outside river bends, hold quality
spotted bass, year round. In March, many of these deeper
dwelling bass, are in 510 feet of water. There are a variety
of lures for this situation, but a select few, always get
good results. Jigs with pork or crayfish trailers, tube baits,
jigging spoons, deepdiving crankbaits and spinnerbaits, are
all good from shallow to deep water, along these main river
dropoffs, for both species of bass. Its all according to
the weather.
Bankhead Lake in April
There are a lot of BIG bass in this old river labeled, Bankhead
Lake. Some are caught, weighing in the 10 lb. class and
a few are reported each Spring, by some lucky angler fortunate
enough to land these hardfighting old river bass. Bass
beds are easily spotted during mid to late April, that
is with clear water conditions. Finding the biggest bass
on the bed, only involves looking for the biggest bed.
Always keep in mind during Spring fishing trips. Returning
these bass to live and fight another day, is what ensures
future generations of bass and bass anglers.
Weeds are in full bloom by April. Many weeds types including
lily pads and stands of weeds, will hold bass bedding in
nearby areas. Areas out of the main river current, and spots
with a slight stain to the water, in 13 feet of flats, are
excellent spots to begin your search. Worms, lizards, crayfish,
tube baits, grubs and jig combos, are best for fooling some
very skittish bass.
Stealth is advised, along with long casts and utilizing
polarized sunglasses, for spotting beds. Look for fish movement
such as wakes, swirls, boils, water movement, weed movement,
muddy spots or any baitfish skipping across the water's surface.
This will indicate bass down below. Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits,
floating worms and lizards, are just a few of the lure choices,
for April on the Warrior River. Remember to practice Catch
and Release this Spring.
Bankhead Lake in May
When Warrior River bass have bed, they will feed for days.
This takes place before regaining strength and returning
to deep water or returning to the thick weeds or wood cover
they spend most of the summer in. This is when bass go
on a feeding rampage and will foolishly hit topwaters,
with reckless abandon. Mainlake flats will have scattered
schools of shad. Bass are down below these huge baitfish
schools, herding them up, generally each morning and late
in the evening. Often these voracious bass will feed all
day, especially with cloudy, overcast weather. Weekdays
show less anglers and boat traffic on the Warrior River.
Rattletraps, rattlin' spots, crankbaits and jerkbaits will
all take these bass. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits will be nailed,
along with Zara Super Spooks, popR's, baby torpedoes, devils
horse's and other propbaits or topwater lures. Around weeds,
isolated logs, stumps, brushpiles and laying trees the buzzbait
is a proven favorite on the Warrior River.
There are many frogs, mice and rats, that live around the
lakes edge. Lures that mimic these small creatures, are high
on the list of Big Bass favorites. Big worms, simulate newborn
snakes, that bass dine on regularly. Whether they are fished
on top weedless or Texasrigged for down on bottom, they are
deadly. Worm sizes of 1012 inches are best for enticing the
much bigger bass. Also try oversized lizards, big crayfish
imitations, and jigs with big pork or plastic trailers, for
that BIG bass bite. Keep in mind that by Summer, most morsels
have become a little bigger, and so should the choice of
your lures.
" Bankhead Lake's oldest, most qualified licensed guide,
fishing this lake for over 40 years."
Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service
makes a great surprise gift for Birthday's, Father's Day,
or Christmas (certificates available) or any occasion, for
those loved ones that love to fish! See my website www.fishingalabama.com
for <http://www.fishingalabama.com for> more info
and for making reservations. Several boats and qualified
professional guides available year round, for multiple parties
and corporate guided fishing trips to any lake in Alabama.
Remember, a guided fishing trip with Reeds Guide Service
makes a great surprise gift for Birthday's, Father's Day,
or Christmas (certificates available) or any occasion, for
those loved ones that love to fish! Call 205-787-5133 for
reservations. Several boats and qualified professional guides
available year round, for multiple parties and corporate
guided fishing trips to any lake in Alabama.
Practice catch and release year-round especially this Spring.
You won't regret it!
Good Fishin'...
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
