"Jordan is always consistently high in the B.A.I.T report," says fisheries biologist Jim McHugh. "It's very fertile, very dynamic, plus it offers a great combination of largemouth and spotted bass fishing. It's always a real good lake in numbers and size of fish, and so that translates into anglers catching higher pounds per day."

As the last impoundment on the fertile Coosa River, Jordan often leads the other reservoirs in its drainage.

"Relative to the other lakes on the Coosa, I am not sure why it tends to come out on top. It could be that Jordan gets less pressure. Anglers who fish Jordan are primarily from Elmore and Montgomery counties, while upstream lakes get a lot of pressure from Birmingham and outside the state."

Water entering Jordan from the Mitchell Dam flows downstream for more than 18 miles before reaching the old Jordan Dam. However, most of the water now flows through a canal into Power House Lake. Alabama Power Company created the canal and lake with the addition of the Walter F. Bouldin Dam, which is southwest of the original dam. This new dam has more efficient generators.

"It is not necessary for Jordan's tournament anglers to target largemouths over spots for their weight advantage," McHugh points out. "A 4-year-old bass from Jordan will measure 16 inches, whether it's a largemouth or a spot. Their growth rates remain the same up through about age 5. Other states, because they have the Kentucky instead of the Alabama subspecies (of spotted bass), would find our growth rates unbelievable."

The best place to catch Jordan's chunky 2- to 4-pound spots in is the upper lake, which is riverine. Look for schools of threadfin shad holding close to the bank trying to escape from the current. Jigs and short-arm spinnerbaits with a single Colorado blade fished below the shad draw tremendous strikes from Jordan's hard-fighting spots.

The most productive spring largemouth waters are located on the lower lake in the northern coves of Power House Lake, along the north shore of Blackwell Slew and in Weoka Creek. In these traditional spawning areas, you find bass in the grass either feeding or bedding during their reproductive cycle.

Because of the grass, a floating worm rigged without a sinker works best. An excellent technique is to "walk the dog." After casting the worm deep into the vegetation, impart the slow side-to-side action to the bait, keeping it just below the surface.

Public access is available at Bonners Landing, located on the west shore near Holtville off SR 111, and at the Rotary Landing, located on the east shore near Jordan Dam off U.S. Highway 231.

For current fishing information, call Stoddard's Bait & Tackle in Wetumpka at (334) 567-7509.

If you like your bass fishing fast and furious, or if you want to fight with scrappy spots when the bass in our other lakes have lockjaw, this is the reservoir. On a recent late winter trip, we frequently caught doubles and the action never slowed. Regardless of the season, tossing the right lures can lead to 50-fish days.

"Martin is a great place to take the family fishing," says McHugh, "and it's a very popular winter tournament destination. Anglers come down from northern states where it's too cold to fish. The spots remain active during winter. We attribute Lake Martin's success to the fact that it's a big lake with a large population of spotted bass."

Located 40 miles northeast of Montgomery on the Tallapoosa River, Martin provides a clearwater environment favorable to spots. It has an abundance of rocky points, humps and saddles - structure perfect for a fish that is genetically more closely related to the smallmouth.

To find bass in March, start your search on main-lake points at depths of 10 to 15 feet. If you fish nothing but points, you will experience excellent fishing. Spots do not hold on every point, but once you connect, look for similar points to establish a pattern.

As water levels and temperatures rise in April, spots move into the lake's large bays and creeks. Look for active fish in 6 to 10 feet of water on gradually sloping secondary points. When searching secondary points, fish every blown-down tree, as they nearly always hold fish.

Fish points with 4-inch finesse worms or slim-diameter 7 1/2-inch worms in green pumpkin color. For main-lake points, rig them Carolina style with a sinker heavy enough to counter strong March winds.

In late April as Martin reaches full pool, two more patterns develop. The first is fishing brushpiles next to private piers and is well known. The second is to target the saddle between humps and is often overlooked. Spots aggressively feed on baitfish moving through such funnels created by the humps.

Fish piers and brushpiles with either a Texas-rigged worm or a 1/4-ounce jig-and-pig. Use small to medium-sized crankbaits to fish the saddles.

For current fishing information for this impoundment, visit Lake Martin Bait & Tackle on U.S. Highway 280 or call (256) 329-9107. To book a guide, call Barry Holdridge at (256) 234-2960.

Tides, salinity, river currents and broad shallow marshes perplex even the most experienced anglers.

As might be expected, though, the home team has the advantage of learned skills and knowledge, and that combination catches fish.

"During spring and fall, when the fishing is good," says Joe Zolczwnski, district fisheries supervisor, "local anglers do not have any problems catching large numbers of bass."

On a good day, anglers fishing the lower Delta can catch 50 fish with an average weight of 1 1/2 pounds. Fishing the upper Delta reduces your catch by half, but the bass weigh 2 to 6 pounds each.

"We have a peak in the bass fishery about every five years - the very best of fishing," says Zolczwnski. "We are approaching that peak now. Given good weather, I predict very good fishing in 2004."

Anglers and biologists alike divide the Delta into upper and lower sections, with Interstate 65 as the boundary.

"We view the upper and lower Delta as separate entities," reports Zolczwnski, "because there are differences in the two areas. The lower Delta is more characterized by slow-moving streams and rivers with large shallow bays. The upper Delta has many more small streams in wooded areas with blow-downs and stumps. Of course, it's also less affected by salinity than the lower Delta."

On the other hand, the lower Delta is less affected by high water, which frequently occurs during spring. The key to a successful trip is in knowing whether you should fish above or below I-65.

To make a decision, track the river stages at Coffeeville and Claiborne dams. The best fishing on bays affected by the Alabama River occur when Claiborne's river stage is 15 to 20 feet. Likewise, the best fishing on waters influenced by the Tombigbee occurs with water levels of 4 to 10 feet at Coffeeville. Flood stages for the rivers are 42 and 29 feet, respectively. If both rivers are high, fish the lower Delta.

Since there is very little difference in water depth, temperature or available cover in the bays, water clarity becomes the most important factor in catching bass above I-65. On the lower Delta, tidal flow is a key to success.

"It's essential to fish the rise and fall," says Zolczwnski. "This is when bass feed. As a general rule, the first two hours on an incoming or outgoing tide are best."

Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and small crankbaits are effective lures for spring fishing.

For current fishing information, visit Quint's Hardware & Sporting Goods in Saraland, or give them a call at (251) 679-1300.