Neely Henry Lake is the second of six lakes found running from north to south Alabama on the Coosa River, near the town of Gadsden, Alabama. Like upriver Weiss Lake it too, is dropped for Winter pool beginning in the Fall. Most weeds will be dead by the end of September, if the lake is down more than 3 feet. At times the lake will only be down 1-2 feet but it has been as low as 6 feet in the past. Navigation is hazardous and first timers should be very cautious when boating the lake.
Fishing for the Coosa River spotted bass and largemouth bass, most anglers find this to be an excellent lake for numbers of fish and for some real trophy bass as well. Each bass species has its own preferable habitat, but often both can be found along stump flats, rock bluffs, main lake points, around rocky banks and even far up major tributaries. Piers, boat houses and marinas also show numbers of these bass all throughout the Fall period.
From Gadsden City launch to the lakes headwaters is more like a river, than a lake. The mouths of small pockets, cuts and incoming creeks all hold loads of baitfish attempting to escape the swift, main river current and the bass are always nearby. Anglers fishing with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and bottom lures can thoroughly cover these small, calm spots fast.
As you head down the lake it widens to more of a lake like appearance with many flats, incoming creeks and islands. Baitfish seek shelter in these refuges and bass feed on them often schooling on top. Lures that are jerked across the waters surface like pop-r's, prop baits and walking type lures simulate fleeing baitfish and work fine all throughout the Fall and often on into the early Winter period.
This lake is very popular for bream and crappie fishing and many resident planted brush piles are found all around piers and boat houses. The bass also take up residence here and fishing with lures like worms, tube baits, lizards, crayfish imitations and jig combos, will entice bass hidden in and around these brush piles.
For the deep water angler Neely Henry shows plenty of fish holding places to target. Old roadbeds, house foundations, river ledges, drop-offs, humps, ridges, submerged islands and other bottom irregularities are found with some map study.
Making plans to fish Neely Henry Lake this Fall? Include Reeds Guide Service in your plans. "Over 30 years fishing this and other Alabama Lakes for bass and stripers."
This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
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