Over my many years of being on the water throughout the heat of the summer and into the fall there is a constant that occurs when it is hot and no wind and they are not pulling water on bodies of water like Lake Guntersville in Alabama. A constant that can make the difference especially for the tournament fisherman! That being, when these elements of hot, no wind and no current occur; the greener vegetation creates oxygen around the grassy areas. This tends to pulls the bigger fish to the areas as they need more oxygen to survive.
So if you're not finding fish doing some of the traditional things you always do, look for the greener grass or vegetation. Bass are very predictable, if they are active it is because the elements exist that make them active - one of those is sufficient oxygen. The other element is the presence of bait fish; the greener vegetation also attracts the bait fish as well as they also need oxygen to move about and they will also move to the areas that create the most oxygen. Most people feel that the bass move to deeper water in the heat because it is cooler, while this is also true it does not completely define why fish move deep. The real reason is they are searching for oxygen, but green grass creates oxygen too, and hence the bass will move as easily to the shallow grass for oxygen as they will to the deep water, and as we move toward the fall they are more apt to move to the shallow water.
Lastly it is also important that as we move more toward fall and the grass is dying away around the lake to remember, the grass will die from the top downward. Point being, is the grass that is turning brown and dying on top does not necessarily mean that the bottom isn’t green and producing oxygen for the fish to breath. Find the greener vegetation and ypu may very well find the fish!
About the author: Captain Mike Gerry
Living in the North Alabama Area since the 70's and fishing Lake Guntersville for over 35 years. I have many published fishing articles world wide in magazines, newspapers and on-line magazines. I offer the most comprehensive information for Lake Guntersville, fishing tips, reports, and featured articles. I challenge you to utilize my Professional Guide Service and compare the knowledge, friendliness and good time on the water to anyone. Captain Mike Gerry can be reached at his website for Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service at www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com or by phone at (256) 759-2270. Email bassguide@comcast.net
