Wheeler did not lead any of the B.A.I.T. report categories, but it ranked near the top in every one. Seventy-five percent of anglers caught at least one bass per trip; the average weight per fish was 1.7 pounds; on average, 4.2 pounds of fish per day were taken by each angler; and it took 188 hours to catch a bass of 5 pounds or larger.

The upper end of Wheeler is choked with grass, while the lower end has more rock habitat. As a result, anglers on the upper end typically fish for largemouths, while those on the lower end target smallmouths. Fishing for both species can be outstanding.

The lake has high fertility, a good shad population and good milfoil cover, according to district fisheries biologist Keith Floyd.

“The bigger bass gather in the milfoil, and the milfoil gives fishermen confidence that they can catch fish,” he noted.

Crankbaits and soft plastics fished around the grass catch largemouths in the upper lake. Jerkbaits and spinnerbaits work on the smallmouths in the lower end.

MILLERS FERRY LAKE

Millers Ferry — also called Dannelly Reservoir — is a mere pond compared to the big impoundments already discussed, since it covers only 17,200 acres near Camden on the Alabama River in the central part of the state.

But it is a top bass producer year in and year out in the Cotton State. It is more of a numbers lake than a lunker factory when compared to some of the bigger impoundments.

It ranked No. 1 in the B.A.I.T. report for successful anglers, at 82 percent; No. 2 for bass per angler-day, at 2.8; and also No. 2 for pounds of bass per day, at 4.7.

This reservoir is not close to any population centers, and that translates to less fishing pressure and higher catch rates than at some of the other lakes. State fisheries biologists say it is a fertile reservoir with a stable population of threadfin shad to feed the bass.

Millers Ferry is a riverine lake, long and narrow, and it is not uncommon to find fish right on the bank, according to tournament angler Chris Stevenson of Birmingham.

“It’s one of those places where you can beat the bank and do really well,” he offered. “My favorite bait there in the spring is a white-and-chartreuse spinnerbait. I use double Indiana blades, which is a little different.”

Bassers working the banks of Millers Ferry in the spring have to dodge crappie fishermen, since the lake is also a popular spot for those anglers.

“Gees Bend is an area where I always do really well,” Stevenson said. “You need to fish all the shallows in that area. A buzzbait works really well too.”

If the fish are not hitting a spinnerbait or buzzbait, he switches to a 7 1/2-inch lizard in gourd green.

“It sinks a little slower and they’ll hit it as it sinks a lot of times,” Stevenson pointed out.

He likes to fish the standing timber in the Buzzard Roost area for the spotted bass that frequently school up there.

“You can use your depthfinder to locate some good fishing areas too,” he said. “There are a lot of ditches down there. The locals call them ‘slave ditches.’ ”

If you can find areas with timber and grass combined, you can catch a lot of fish, Stevenson also said.

“Alligator Slough is a good place, but you have to be careful about running in there because of the stumps,” he cautioned.

LAY LAKE

Lay Lake is another smaller reservoir that boasts good numbers of bass rather than big fish. But Chris Stevenson said it’s not uncommon to catch some quality fish there too. He expects to get at least one 5-pounder every time he visits Lay Lake.

It is a 12,000-acre impoundment on the Coosa River about 35 minutes south of Birmingham. It is the oldest lake in our roundup, impounded in 1914 by Alabama Power.

The lake holds both largemouth and spotted bass, both ranging in size up to about 18 inches.

“There are a couple of things you can do on Lay to catch a limit,” Stevenson suggested. “First, the spotted bass are pretty active. You can catch them on Sassy Shads in shad color with a little chartreuse. Bandit series crankbaits work well too. Fish the baits along the main-river points. You can fish the dropoffs and creek channels if it’s really cold.”

For the largemouths, spinnerbaits are excellent lures. Stevenson also likes white trick worms and swimming jigs.

“If it’s overcast, I use a white jig,” he said. “If it’s sunny, I use watermelon pumpkinseed. I just run it through what little grass I can find. I start out retrieving it fast and then slow it down if I find I’m missing fish.”

When the bass aren’t hitting the spinnerbait or the jig, Stevenson goes to what he calls “the Lay Lake favorite” — a watermelon pumpkinseed lizard. But topwater buzzbaits also work well.

The best time to fish Lay is when the water is coming up and getting into the water willows.

“That could be anytime from February to April,” Stevenson noted. “If you pull your bait up and there’s some bright green vegetation on your hook, you need to stay in that area.”

On a good spring day on Lay, it is not uncommon to catch 20 fish, with lots of 2- and 3-pounders and maybe one that will go 5 or 6. l

Find more about Alabama fishing and hunting at: www.AlabamaGameandFish.com

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