If you're unfamiliar with fishing from fall through winter in our state, these tales of big fish and fast action may amaze you. A word of caution, though: You may want to check with your doctor before tangling with fish weighing 30, 40 and even 60 pounds or tackling the repetitive motion of pulling so many panfish from shallow water. The excitement can be too much for a frail constitution!

The action begins in November and just gets better as the mercury drops. If you can tolerate cold, you'll find adventure on our waters this winter. Here's a look at some of our best fishing options now and in the coming months.

COOSA RIVER BLUE CATFISH
Greg Ledbetter's enthusiasm for winter fishing on the Coosa River is easy to understand, given his success: In less than four hours, he caught a stringer of seven catfish from Logan Martin Lake weighing more than 300 pounds, the smallest fish among those being more than 40 pounds. On the other hand, he caught his biggest Coosa cat -- 61 pounds -- at Neely Henry Lake.

Ledbetter and his wife, Kim, of Wellington, fish between 20 and 25 catfish tournaments a year. All fish are caught on rod and reel and all are released. Their straightforward methods target trophy fish.

These tournament pros catch good numbers of big fish in November, but take their biggest fish in January or early February.

"Winter is big-fish season," declared Ledbetter. "In November, the water is cooling, so catfish are preparing for the cold. Unlike spring, they are not concerned with breeding, and so do not have lockjaw. Blues feed often and aggressively in November. During a feeding frenzy, they are like sharks!

"The time to fish for trophy catfish is during the coldest weather in January and February. Blues do tend to get lethargic in cold water, but they continue to feed through winter, and that's how they reach massive weights. You may fish for two days and not get a bite, and then all of a sudden catch a world-record. We always catch our biggest fish in the dead of winter."

Before cold weather blankets the Coosa Valley, husband and wife team up to look for cats in open water on the lower sections of the lakes they fish. According to Ledbetter, blues cruise over an uneven bottom looking for balls of baitfish. "Look for small humps, creek junctions or any variation in the bottom," he advised, "even if it's only a difference of 3 feet. The key to finding big fish is a change in the bottom in open water."

When winter sets in, Ledbetter searches steep dropoffs on the main river channel, especially at the mouths of feeder creeks. "Many anglers make the mistake of fishing the deepest water," he cautioned. "Look for an area of incoming current that offers catfish warmer water and food. Due to the lack of oxygen in deep water, the 30- to 40-foot range has the best fishing in winter."

Whether you're fishing open water in late fall or the river channel in winter, Ledbetter said, the importance of finding shad with your sonar can't be stressed too much. "If they are not present," he explained, "you just about have to beat catfish over the head to get a bite."