Neely Henry reports part deu

Starting to get a hankering to go. But, the chocolate milk out there is a deterrent. Local TX took 14.52 to win yesterday. Anyone been this week?

Went this afternoon for a few hours. Tried a few different things but never could get a good pattern. Caught them all kind of ways. Had three over three lbs and a bunch of smaller ones.

I wanted to go, but ended up doing some maint on my boat. Did you have the PLEASURE of being stopped by the State's finest? This is the third weekend that they have been out here.

I talked to a couple guys and they were catching some on chatter bait.

We didn’t see them. We caught the most of our fish on chatterbaits. But also caught them on spinnerbaits, squarebill, traps and rigs. I was amazed at how white those bass were. They had no color whatsoever

That is what the guys told me, zero color. Seems a little early for them to be shallow.

I am goin to try to get out there today. Anyone been this week? If so, how shallow and on what?

I wonder how many boats will be out there today since ASABFA will be here for a TX tomorrow? LOL.

I wish our district was on Neely. I have to haul the boat to Eufala next weekend for my son to fish ASABFA.

I was crowded out there today. Found some 66 degree water the bite is getting better

There lies the problem with ASABFA. We tried to get them talked into a 4 district area several years back. Also have a true finals type with a limited number of boats. NOOOOOOOO. We gonna stay this way, making some people travel 4 + hours from home, all the gas, food, hotel and vacation days the captains have to take and so on. IF you win, they get a plaque, that is it. No money like real TX fishing. That is why one year we left ASABFA and followed Airport Marine Trail. If the winner was in a qualifying boat, if I remember right, whole boat could split up to $3500. I think BASS Nation even pays out money in the form of gift cards for winners.

Don't get me wrong, there are some good people that are heavily involved in ASABFA. Carol McNew is a fabulous woman and does a ton for this group. I have a lot of respect for her.

They are in inches of water from what I am told.

Well, the ONE I caught this afternoon was on top. Cannot get any more shallower than that.

Looks like 21lb won Aba yesterday. We were crappie fishing and didn't think they were catching them to well based on amount of wrapped boat running up and down river.

Yea congrats to Bill Mayo and his partner. I fished yesterday afternoon and NADA. Got a couple of short strikes on swim jig, nothing on a spook at all.

Buddy of mine finished 6th with close to 17lbs. I didn't get any details from him.

Went today after the rain stopped. I tried deep ledges, shallow, spinner baits, rattle traps, you name it. Caught one in shallow water with black and blue swim jig. I trolled through a shallow flat and dusted a few up, so I think they are starting to bed.

Dunno. From what the river looks like at the house nothing can bed in a three-turbine environment. I may try to go Saturday...............................

Anyone been last two days? What is water temp below Rainbow Landing?

I had a change to go yesterday afternoon. Talk about trash, that is an understatement. Been a long time since I have seen that many BIG trees floating because of rain this week, Two different days had trees floating making for dangerous running. 52.5 deg water. That is a 10 deg drop in two weeks.

Anyhow, I also went Saturday morning for bout two hours. Caught one spot about 3# that had good color and that was the only bite I had. Yesterday I got bit twice. First fish was a pleasant surprise. She weighed 5.13 and had not spawned and not really a big belly. I will try to post a pic later. Next fish was a spot that about 2# and was white as a ghost. Probably could have caught more but only had about 2 hrs to fish. Maybe the water will stabilize and make fishing a little better over the next two weeks.

Anyone headed out today?

Watch for debris in the water. We had a LOT of trees down and boat houses blown down on Palmetto creek.

I am going that way tomorrow. Will be down in Southside this afternoon to help a friend clean up.

I got skunked yesterday afternoon, nothing. Took 17+ to win Sunday out of city docks and they were all spots. Wind got brutal about 3 pm, that is when I left.

Drake,I have though about this. The Sunday tournaments run pretty much spring to fall. 25 boats average 2 people per boat. If you go out on a Sun afternoon the lakes been pounded by 50 guys . Do you think it makes a difference going in the afternoon after all that. I seem to think it does.

I believe it does too. When I am fishing grass in a slough that has 61 deg water and don't even get a whuff, yea I'd say it does.

Y'all talking about Nealy Henry? 339 miles of shoreline and 11200 acres. 50 guys don't bother 1% of the population of fish

Yes Neely Ben. I agree somewhat but I would say from Coosa Landing to Rainbow Landing is beat up for sure. Maybe fish further down lake where guys may not run as far being the tourn ends at 12. Any suggestions your the pro not me and Drake

I will agree and disagree. From tommys to broughtons spring is beat also just as bad. But there arel still places close that can still hold fish at any time. It is just timing.

No sir no pro here, but I dont think 50 people fishing hurts any area for more than a few hoyrs especially this time of year. Fish are literally moving into areas all day especially after noon this time of year. There can be hundreds of fish move up in hours. It is still early in the year and very few fish may be up spawning especially in pockets and main river flats. I would assume the few shallow fish may be the reason for no bites as opposed to the few people that fished the area before you did.

Anyone go yesterday? I did, could not get bit in the shallow dead grass so I moved out in the river and caught 4 spots. One went 4.0 and had real good color. Been shallow for a while. Best day in WEEKS weather wise as far as lower wind speeds. It was nice.

I had to choose Friday or Saturday. Went with Friday and gale force winds kicked my butt. Yesterday was gorgeous and I was whiny all day😂

I was down in Southside for a little while yesterday helping tear down a pool house the tornado claimed. Riddles Bend is getting a little better from river side. Still a ton of work to be done. I wish I could go today. ABSOLUTELY beautiful today. River slick as glass.

Anyone been this week? Water temp? Seen some pics of hawgs last night in the Coosa Landing TX. I sure hope I can go before Saturday.

Any reports this week? Gonna try and get out for a few hours this afternoon.

Report, NOTHING. Except a yellow cat about 20# that hit a mini-r in about 2' of water. BOY what a fight. I will post a pic if I can figure out how.

On a side note, I do believe for the average person that is only allow to fish maybe 2-3 hrs in the afternoon is behind the eight ball if he does not go 5-10 miles from the boat ramp. Too many people fishing during the day that puts pressure on them. This topic was covered a while back, but I believe it more and more.

Drake that is why I fish the type places we discussed. Off the beaten path.

Larry, on this river, there are no "off" the beaten path places anymore. I hate it has come to this, but it has. I will still go and have fun, but it does get frustrating..................................

Any report recently Drake. I still havnt been able to go in weeks,hope to this weekend. The weights I have seen recently online have been pretty strong.

None from me, have not been since last week. I MAY this afternoon for a little while. Had to replace some seals in LU so I need to try and test it out. There is a big TX here this weekend my BIL is fishing in it. Last I heard though, square bills and chatter baits. Will post if I get a chance today.

Had a chance to go Saturday morning. Crap shoot. Only had two whiffs at a chatter bait. No landed fish. BIL fished a TX there and only had 5#, he and his partner said fish are scattered now bad. How can they go from bunched up previous week on points or flats or in 1 foot of water to this? I dunno, frustrating as hell. There is a flat off a creek channel right by my house. I watched 6 different boats fish this all day. The first one I watched from by boat and they were throwing spooks and caught three dinks. No good fish at all. Makes for an enjoyable time huh?

They are bedding which always makes it tough for a week or two. But they have to be shallow shallow shallow just keep looking shallow til you find them.

Then this makes the second time this year they went on bed.

I love the new Canoe creek launch except now everybody and their brother is fishing up there. I'm lucky I have some weekdays off. I don't even like to go on Saturdays anymore.

They bed from Feb-May even June at times. Right now likely has the largest wave of fish on the bed of the entire spring

I fished about 4 hours this past Fri. Had 4 or 5 on a chatterbait and a couple on a plastics. Not much size. Still seems be a mix of spawn and pre and post spawn from what little time I was out..

Anyone go this weekend? River was the trashiest I have seen since March 11th weekend. The are still rolling 3 at Ragland and the river has mud swirls all in it. Had a good friend in an older Nautique hit a submerged log Saturday and it pushed fin up into boat. He damn near lost the boat and was only a mile from a lift he used to pull boat out. Water was all the way in floor up on motor making it cut out. Brandon was lucky.

Anyone been this week? BIL fished yesterday from daylight till 2 and caught one fish. He said shad spawn was MASSIVE.

Has anyone been the last two weeks? Work has been killing me in afternoons. Gonna try and go today.

I fished that tournament out of Rainbow landing yesterday. 1st place was 15 lbs.
Early bite was good. They still a few grown ones hanging around the grass on the main river. If you go back in the cuts. You'll get tired of wasting plastic on 11-13 inch fish.lol

I caught 8 yesterday afternoon. Biggest about 3#. Lots of small fish. Grass off deeper points and some in middle of river. Bites I had were aggressive.

Are there any public ramps up river? Holes bluff or ball play area? Seems like we use to put in at an old ferry crossing when I was a kid.

Not a lot of choices up there. Ferry crossing is about as good as it gets unless you want to run a long way. Croft Ferry is a few miles below Weiss dam powerhouse.

Anyone been lately? I might try and go today or tomorrow if the damn thunder boomers settle down.

Had a chance to go yesterday afternoon. Caught three with one a little over 5. It came off a jig flipping piers. Others off crankbait. Anyone been lately?

Nope not lately. People still saying there in the grass... not for me the last time I went about two weeks ago. Going this evening to do a little fly fishing I think.

The end of Kershaw Quarters rd. comes out right in front of Weiss power house. It's a chirt ramp... And whether you put in there or at the end of Croft Ferry there's a good chance you will get your truck broken into.

You are so correct sir!

I went and checked out the ramp behind the old Gregersons grocery store on 278 near tillison bend. The ramp itself looked pretty nice. There were probably 6 or 7 vehicles in the parking lot. It's not as far upriver as I would have hoped for, but it would be a better option than the city dock. I'm not sure if burglary or vandalism is an issue...

We fished a tournament there last Saturday out of Gadsden, weighed five for 6.44 pounds, worst day of fishing I've had in a while. Didn't catch a fish after 8:45 (after that big line of storms blew by). In hindsight I wish I had run way downriver to Beaver and Shoal, but it was only a small club tournament and I didn't feel like that long of a run was worth it. First and second place both had upper 12's and both teams said they caught their fish on crankbaits on "deep points" after 11:00 when they turned water on. I fished multiple ledge spots and had zero bites. Didn't catch a fish on a dock the entire day. Every one of our fish came from the grass, but it had to be in the mouth of pockets right out near the river. Fish didn't seem to be in the main river grass itself, and NOTHING was farther back in the pockets. Caught our fish on buzzbaits, Pop-Rs, and Senkos. Not sure if any of that holds merit, or if it was just one of those days for me. My guy in the back of the boat did catch about a 15-20 pound flathead on a shakey head!

Dog days of summer. Morning bite it TOTALLY different than afternoon bit at least for me. I can usually catch a few in the afternoons but last week was rough. I could see fish on ledges, but they would not bite.

The old Hokes Bluff ferry launch is good. there used to be one at the end of Alford Bend that would be closer to Ballplay than any of them but I aint sure it's even open anymore.

Yes. I didn't see fish on the bottom anywhere though, they were all suspended everywhere I scanned. And I've never seen more gar anywhere, ever in my life...it's fascinating how thick it was with gar, everywhere, all day.

Probably suspended above the thermocline

Gar are a normal ALL THE TIME ocurance from April until October. I hate them.

I don't think I could catch fish at Neely offshore if my life depended on it. The last time I fished Guntersvile (about 3 weeks ago) I never fished closer than a half mile from the bank. Fished Neely the following day tried ledges for hours zip nothing nota. I know it's not Guntersvile but I just can't make it happen there.

Neely Henry will humble you in July....Go to Centre if you wanna catch some deep...

I assume your referring to Weiss Deernutz? I usually fish piers, shallow squarebills flipping ect there. So they set up deep pretty well?

Piers are great at Weiss, always some gooduns shallow there.....But them bigunns wiil set up on deep structure too....It's just a great bass lake imo especially thiis time of year when everywhere else sux....ymmv...

Carolina rig, ned rig or yum dinger on a shakey head. I got some 1/8oz jigs last year from a guys that makes them his own way. Not a regular jig design. Put a dinger on that and throw it off ledges or rocky points when they are pulling current, spots will destroy it.

This right here ^^^^

Also had some success from Croft Ferry to Slaught McMahan bridge using Texas rigged Yamamoto creature baits or pumpkinseed Paca craws on rock ledges , piers , and stick ups in 6-8 foot of water in that area.

I went yesterday for about two hours. Too many damn boats to fish. Only had two bites.

Well, anyone been lately? What they bitin?

Went Sunday for four hrs. Put in way up river and fished at Weiss dam and around that area. We caught around 20 with all them on ned rigs and jigs. Couldn’t catch any out of the tree tops but they were behind gravel bars and other hard bottom structure. Biggest was about 3 lbs and a lot were around 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. just a few weeks away from one of my favorite time to fish neely.

Thanks for the report. Where do you put in when you fish that far upriver. Also what kind of pattern do you think they will be on when you start fishing in the next few weeks.

What is this? I have a tourney there in a couple of weeks.

We put in at a old road crossing. It’s kinda sketchy but have never had any problems. It’s on Croft ferry rd off 411. I wouldn’t leave anything of value in your truck and we usually just leave the doors unlocked.

If the weather cools off then you will be in luck.

Sept has always been a good spinnerbait month for me on that lake. Seems you can throw one just about anywhere and catch good fish.

The West side of the Ferry isn't that bad. The east side... You will get robbed.

The West side of the Ferry isn't that bad. The east side... You will get robbed.[/quote

How do you get to the West side Bpi.

Croft Ferry road to right before you get to the old Mountain View Grocery and Handley Vet?

That's west... Or west side of the river that the old ferry ran on. Croft ferry east is on the Ballplay side and they will rob you blind.. I had a friend who wanted to propose to his fiancé there because it is a pretty scenic place. Real country... So he set up hay bales and roses and a bunch of other stuff for the big event. Well, he went and got her, took her there to propose , and somebody stole all his decorations. I mean... who does that ?

We have never had anything stole down there but it is sure looks like a place where a thief would hang out. It’s not the best ramp but it gets the job done.

Any updates? Putting in on the lower end this weekend.

Lot of shad in bridge creek and shoal creek WAY to early for that. I went Sunday for a little bit before wind got up bad. I could see bat balls everywhere on graph but no big fish following. I caught two spots about 2#. One thing I did notice after we got on the pontoon and rode and enjoyed livations, there were sever times I was seagulls busting the water after shad. Mostly on humps and shallow points. Spook may be way to go early...……………...

Water temp drake.

84 DEG. I don't call that a big enough drop to start the migration, but hey, it might.

Buddy of mine claimed to have caught some good ones around a mayfly hatch on the river somewhere.

There was one last Sunday or Monday night (weekend before Labor Day). Boat slip was covered. I guess they were after the bream & shad eating the flies.