Shellcrackers like the one the author is hoisting can put a bend in an ultralight fishing rod. Photo by Stephen E. Davis

By Eileen Davis

Anglers across Alabama catch staggering numbers of bream. Highly regarded for fighting ability and fine eating qualities, these panfish are targeted by more individuals than any other species.

As youngsters, many of us learned the basics of fishing by catching bream from the small ponds and creeks within walking distance of our homes. Who could forget the addictive thrill of the disappearing bobber? Fortunately, children and bream fishing are not mutually exclusive. A big bluegill or shellcracker offers excitement for anglers of any age.

In fact, due to its statewide availability, no other species of fish comes even close in terms of providing a challenge for all ages and varying skill levels. Whether you fish in one of Bama's four corners or points between, May is an excellent time to rekindle the joy of bream fishing.

Donny Lowery, a fisheries scientist for the Tennessee Valley Authority and a fly-fishing angler, reports that fishermen can frequently land 50 to 100 bream per day.

"Early May is when the bluegill really turn on," he said. "It's an outstanding time to catch 20 to 30 sunfish for the table in a couple hours of fishing in the early morning or late evening. Typically, we catch filleting-sized bream - bluegills weighing between 1/2 to 3/4 pound - with redear weighing up to 14 ounces. These big fish produce a huge filet."

That latter species is the redear sunfish, more commonly known as the shellcracker.

Beginning in the city of Florence where Wilson Lake ends, Pickwick flows through the northwest corner of Alabama into the states of Mississippi and Tennessee. Fortunately, about 75 percent of the impoundment's 49-mile length lies within Alabama, as its flooded bank areas provide excellent bream habitat.

"North Alabama lakes offer bream preferred habitat - structure and gravel - for spawning," explained Lowery. "The bluegills fan out beds on small gravel in water less than 5 feet deep. The aquatic plants provide good nursery areas to protect the fry.

"The bluegill spawn in May, and if we have a long warm spring, they spawn twice. You may find them spawning into July.

"When fly-fishing for bluegill, I'm not searching for bedding fish. I drift until I get a bite. The thing about bluegill is that where you catch one or two, often you catch 75 or 80. That's a good place to take kids to get them interested in fishing."

Though Lowery doesn't target bedding fish, he said bream are creatures of habit that spawn in the same areas, provided their habitat does not change. For bedding locations, he recommends the gravel bars around the rock rows around the town of Sheffield and at Sevenmile Island. Fishing is also good in Cypress and Spring creeks and near Jackson Island, which is immediately below Wilson Dam.

While most anglers use crickets or red wigglers fished on long poles or ultralight spinning gear to find bream in these areas, Lowery prefers to fly-fish with a small popping bug on a No. 8 or 10 hook.

"Four years ago, I started fly-fishing," Lowery recalled, "and it opened up a whole new avenue of fun fishing. You can have some great times catching sunfish with a 4- or 5-weight fly rod."

Another exciting event occurring in May that brings anglers in contact with large numbers of bream is the mayfly hatch. With their short vertical flights above the water, the swarming insects tease bream into a feeding frenzy. Wherever they hatch along the shores of the Tennessee River, the masses of insects attract schools of hungry bluegills.

"Depending on weather and water temperature," Lowery pointed out, "we have mayfly hatches from May through August. When mayflies hatch and leave the water, they fly to overhanging woody shrubs, where they are easily seen."

Lowery has found that bluegills often become finicky during the hatch and avoid his popping bugs.

"When mayflies start hatching," he said, "you can have a blast with a fly rod. To target these fish, switch to wet flies and work them just below the surface. I keep a mayfly nymph or Elk Hair Caddis tied on during the hatch."

For current fishing information on Pickwick Lake, drop in at Gray's Tackle Shop in Sheffield or call them at (256) 383-2716.

"It was an unusual day," Slaton noted. "They had fished across the U.S.A. and into Ontario, Canada, for bream. As a result of our success, the pair said no other lake could compare to Guntersville. It was the best fishing they had experienced."

Dan Catchings, District II fisheries supervisor for the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (FWCC), said the 69,100-acre lake, which is located in the northeast corner of our state, has always had a reputation for good bream fishing. He believes the aquatic vegetation provides a protective environment for small fish and also holds forage in the form of invertebrates.

"More snails probably occupy the habitat," he said, "and that helps with redear growth and productivity.

"The predominant species of bream on Guntersville are bluegill and redear, with a good mix of both. Of course, shellcracker bed a little earlier and have made their beds by the last of April. Bluegill always spawn during the full moon in May - usually the third or fourth week. From what I've seen, spawning activity has a key relationship with the full moon, provided water temperature is in the high 70s to low 80s."

According to Slaton, bream spawn in the lake's aquatic vegetation. He added that the aquatic vegetation is a crucial element of his fishing success.

"On Guntersville," Slaton advised, "when you move away from the grass, you move away from the fish. Look for fresh green patches of milfoil growing about six inches off the bottom in water 2 to 5 feet deep. Fish deep early in the season anyplace where there is a variation in depth on the flats. As the water warms and the milfoil grows, spawning becomes shallower."

Slaton's favorite flats are located in the coves of Browns and Town creeks and the area around Claysville. Additionally, Catchings recommended Honeycomb, Mud, North Sauty and Short creeks.

To fish a promising area, Slaton anchors his boat in deeper water about 10 yards from his target. The distance varies depending on the skittishness of the fish. Normally, shellcrackers leave the nest first.

Throughout the year, Slaton's only lure is a 1/32-ounce squirrel-hair jig. He ties it to 4-pound-test line and then fishes it below a weighted float.

"Early in the season, tip the jig with a cricket," Slaton recommended, "because the fish are not as aggressive. Also, if you miss a fish that takes the cricket, 90 percent of the time the fish will return to take the jig. Just shake the bobber in place until he strikes."

Use Slaton's fish-catching rig by adjusting the float so the jig moves just over the tips of the growing milfoil.

"After casting past the area you want to fish," he explained, "slowly retrieve the jig, then stop to let it rest for a moment. Then repeat. Expect the fish to strike when the lure stops moving.

"Each spot you fish will usually produce a mixed bag of bluegill and shellcracker. As the season progresses, catch numbers remain the same, but you catch fewer shellcracker."

For current fishing information, visit Randy Roberts at the Guntersville Boatmart, or call him at (256) 582-2038.

To book a day of guided fishing for bass, crappie or bream on Lake Guntersville, call Charles Slaton at (256) 593-7249 or (256) 572-6217.