How To Find Bass On A River - Weiss Lake Bass Fishing

[@brianpayne-q5t]

weiss is unique among the coosa river impoundments because the "dam" and the "powerhouse" aren't joined together. what you called the "overflow"(also called the flood gates around here) is actually the true "dam" along the river's original course. below it is referred to as "the dead river" which is fact the original river channel. behind the dam a man made channel was dug transferring water down to what's known as "powerhouse lake" it is totally manmade and water is channeled through the power generating turbines at nearly the lake's most southwestern point. so what most people consider to be the "dam" is actually the manmade powerhouse that funnels water through where it never had been pre-impoundment. weiss is by far my favorite and have had some truly epic days catching both bass and crappie. loved your video because it helped an old dog learn some new tricks.

[@melvinmariott8609]

This is a lot of very useful information on this video thanks buddy

[@Eric.C78]

Great video brother!!!! I grew up fishing Weiss, especially coming out of the canal small lake called the Budweiser hole. You have great content been following you for few years now. Be safe out there and good luck on the rest of the season!!!!

[@rickrogers8455]

Just subscribed! Enjoyed your content on wired to fish! Keep on grinding!

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Appreciated Rick! 👊

[@lenclark6099]

Man this is great!! Can only help in the future for me and others!!!! Thanks so much Bradley!!!!

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Appreciated

[@ericblair5365]

Man I tournament fish for blue catfish and find your videos helpful. Your knowledge of how to break down a lake and river is second to none.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Appreciated! I know some of the best offshore spots I’ve found are loaded with big cats in the summer right next to the main river ledge.

[@Gunrunner223]

This is may main fishing lake. Fished it all my life, 35 plus years. You were spot on on most of your breakdown. It's cool to see someone that's not familiar with Weiss, break it down. My dad was a lake pro back in the 70's and 80's so I got alot of knowledge from him. He used to map the cover during the winter, so I've got access to multiple notebooks with hand drawn maps of fishing holes. It's a great lake, but has a lot of pressure., So can be tricky at times. Keep the good videos coming.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Great feedback and I thank you very much for it. I’ve spent my life traveling the country chasing bass. It amazes me how simple a breakdown can be but to go execute that breakdown is so difficult for so many reasons. Thank you again for the feedback!

[@Davo2233]

Weiss is drawn down late fall to February or so.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks for the feedback! I thought 💭 it probably was.

[@peytonfitzgerald8414]

I used this video to help me fish in highschool for the Alabama state championship and it really helped me. The rows of boulders in the southern section of the lake with the long docks is where I caught 3/5 of my final fish of the day and 2 of which were 3-4lbs spots on red squarebills and jerkbaits but there was a ton of smaller fish that were keepers but didn’t help my final weight. Great video definitely helps break down the basics of a complicated lake like Weiss

[@bassgee2938]

Great show, really glad I found your channel

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Me too! Appreciate ya being here.

[@Davo2233]

Lots of bank grass. Not as much as Lay lake but it’s there

[@fishingforpar]

Keep it between the buoys🤙🤙

[@carlbeutler1663]

Awesome video. Thank so much for teaching how a pro breaks it down!

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks

[@ronaldharkins3579]

Just found you and subscribed this week. I live and fish on Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa River chain. You’re right about the Spots. Love your vids, very informative.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Appreciate the sub!

[@mattorschell275]

By far the best videos on KZbin. Thanks and keep these up through out the seasons.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Wish everyone felt that way we’d be rocking! Appreciated Matt.

[@AveryFa]

Another great tutorial and a great tip about viewing different water levels in Google Earth to look for hidden lake features. For what it's worth, Weiss is very well known as an excellent crappie fishery and nearly every dock has some type of man-made brush pile which can make it very difficult for the average bass angler that only occasionally fishes there because they ALL look like they should hold bass!

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

I will cover some dock fishing 101 in an upcoming episode. There’s a lot to that for sure. I had read where it was the crappie king lake. Thanks for the feedback.

[@davidball3461]

U are absolutely right. However, it’s reputation far exceeds reality on the Crappie front. It isn’t even a top 5 crappie Lake in Alabama anymore. Neely Henry, Smith, Logan Martin are all better crappie fisheries. There was a MASSIVE INVASION OF YANKS, or what we call Snowbirds in the 80’s and it’s not “The Crappie Capital of the World” as the sign reads when you hit Centre city limits. My 1st cousin is a fishery biologist and he says it isn’t as fertile as it was then. Weiss was impounded in 1961. It is like a lot of lakes. It’s just on a downturn compared to what It was when it was a young lake. I love Weiss but I don’t like it when they draw it down for nearly half the year. I don’t know why BASS has never put on an elite series derby or an Open up here. I think pros would love it. So much huge backwater and tons of docks and water willow and a billion stumps. I’m actually glad because it’s kind of an unknown gem for bass but it wouldn’t be if they had a major tournament up here. I personally think it’s a far better bass lake than Neely Henry but I don’t like Neely Henry

[@jbsfishingstuffnmore7387]

Lake weiss does have a winter pool and has for many years . One of our biggest structural habitats for Largemouth Bass are stumps and cover spots are blow down trees we have lots of brush piles and ofcourse rocks and channel ledges . I have fished Weiss my entire life and I'm 48. The winter pool is going to be raised by 3 feet starting in 2021. Weiss is a prop and foot killer for people who don't know the ditches and river channel. Great place to fish but don't eat the fish due to the PCB levels . From Ga to Leesburg Alabama there is a lot of good feeder creeks and small run in rivers that hold lots of species of fish. Crappie, largemouth, spots, white bass , Hybrids & Stripers .

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Awesome feedback thanks for the info!

[@jbsfishingstuffnmore7387]

@@BradleyHallmanFishing you're welcome. I could talk for hours on Lake Weiss and the seasonal transitions of the fish there . It's a great fishery and where I cut my teeth with my Dad

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

One Rod Two sinkers I looked at some tournament results from there. Amazing that BFL has only been there 3 times in almost 20 years. The weights seem to have improved from 10-15 years ago. Why the uptick? Part of why I wanted to do Weiss is that it has not been over exposed by the big trails!

[@jbsfishingstuffnmore7387]

I fished with the Floyd County Bass Masters back in the late 80's many of our tournaments were out of Brushy Branch. Back in those days our average fish were 4 to 5 pound fish. The size of fish has gone down a bit on average to around 3 pounds. I think mostly due to the number of fish that have been taken out of the lake . Recently back during the winter we were averaging 5+ pound fish on most trips . Weiss does have an abundance of young bucks but is getting back to the larger fish it once had. There are several local tournaments / clubs on weiss. The Alabama Bass Trail fishes weiss out of Leesburg.

[@jbsfishingstuffnmore7387]

You asked about the Up tick in size . I personally believe it has been due to conservation. The crawfish and shad have always been abundant

[@bigjon9374]

Awesome video, I love the insight and learning how you like to break down lakes.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks man I have more to come.

[@BrianWilemanFishing]

Giving some great info. You have me using Google Earth now. Keep it up. Oh and everyone calls it the Canal that connects Weiss Lake to the lower lake.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

We have a spot like that on one of big lakes in Oklahoma and they call it the shoot. Awesome place at times. Thanks for the feedback.

[@BrianWilemanFishing]

There are a lot of tournaments that launch out of the canal and I know some people who never leave it and win.

[@leeyarbrough9636]

Pickwick lake here mr. hallman , you should come down here an have one of them challenges that you had with some of them other guys. Good video an great break down of a river system this will Help a lot of folks.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks Lee, Pickwick has always kinda had my number. I’ve cashed some checks there but I’d say throughout the years it has not been kind to me. Lots of fish in there now?

[@jasonhenson4711]

Lake is dropped 6 ft. in the winter and with the amount of flooding we have had in the past 2 years I don't see that changing anytime soon. It takes a good bag of fish to win a single day derby in the spring here at Weiss sometimes upper 20's with 20 lbs not getting you a check. I think some of the weight increases you inquired about on another post come from the stocking of Florida strain bass into the system and the lake being on a good up cycle and just being fertile. Summer time the weights come down some but still takes 20 lbs or close to it to win a bigger tournament. Gonna be interesting to see your next video. I work in Rome at one of the hospitals here and can see about the first 1/4 mile of the Coosa River from the top floor. Spent a large part of my childhood fishing the upper part of the Coosa that you will be taking a look at in your next video. Pretty cool to see it broken down through someone else's eyes. BTW the Bass Angler Therapy videos y'all are doing are pretty cool!! First 2 were awesome. Kinda got lost on the 3rd one. Hopefully we can get a handle on this Corona Virus thing and get back to fishing tournaments. I'm signed up for the Open at Neely Henry. Maybe I'll run into you there. Take care and keep the content coming!

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Awesome feedback my friend. Truly appreciated educational experience when getting feedback on a waterway I’ve never dropped a boat on or seen. A bass is a bass is a bass! That’s the thing they all have similarities. If I can get sometime from home schooling my kids I will drop part 2! Thank you again and make sure you come up and say hey if you see me somewhere. Be safe at work my friend everyone is going to need ya!

[@jasonhenson4711]

@@BradleyHallmanFishing will do. When those fish get in the water willow here on Weiss its and awesome time of year for me!

[@Crankinstien]

Awesome as usual

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks Marty.

[@jasonwilson6212]

Really like the videos. This will help me learn the new water where I just moved. Thanks Brad keep up the awesome videos.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks for watching Jason.

[@matthobbs2954]

Thanks for all the hints my sons got a high school tournament coming up Weiss lake

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thank you Matt! I get lots of feedback still from Weiss lake! Definitely doing more of those.

[@davidstoner1881]

Another great video. Lots of good info thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks for watching David.

[@C.Adams82]

Interesting the part of the lake you picked first, the western part of the lake. Early in the spawn it's where I would fish first, particularly the northwest part and as the month of April progressed I would begin to move east. I firmly believe that fish in the north, northwest section of a lake spawn before fish in other sections due to the water in the northwest part of a lake warms faster than any other part because the sun hits it first. I live and fish on the tva chain and that's how I approach it.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Nope your dead on the upper ends usually are the first to pop off. I fully intended to cover the whole lake and it just went long. The North end will be out this week. Thanks for the feedback.

[@greengorillahunter2769]

Chris Adams can you answer a question regarding the chattooga River part. Up near gaylesville there is what looks to be a ramp under the bridge there. Is it public?

[@Davo2233]

Chris Adams northern spawns first. Weiss is the northern most impoundment. Coosa river runs north to south. Weiss is first lake to spawn

[@davidball6357]

Lots of bank grass

[@clinthart6541]

Cool break down I use google earth also along with navionics very informative thanks

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Good to use as many tools as we can.

[@rickrobinson5611]

Awesome breakdown. Keep up the great work.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks Rick

[@mattharvey8868]

Another awesome vid !

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks Matt

[@mattbell3362]

Another thing that you can look at is current water levels. TVA has a site for it’s lakes and the US Army Corps of Engineers keeps their levels up to date for their controlled reservoirs. Good information. I like this series you are putting on!

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks Matt and good point on the current water levels.

[@MountainMenAxes]

Have you ever fished Boone Lake in Northeast Tennessee. I could really use some help out here.. It's a TVA lake/river system. Striper, smallmouth, largemouth, trout. I'm having a hard time finding a pattern. I can usually catch one or two off the docks but I wouldn't call it a pattern. Either way love the channel man. Going through all your videos now..

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Sorry man I have never been there. Actually never even heard of it.

[@scottclark1168]

Love this lake breakdown deal,so informative,very helpful

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Thanks Scott

[@bryanclark6077]

Really great stuff. Loving these type of videos. Hope to see my body of water broke down one day. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta in Mobile, AL

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

That’s awesome little fishery! Tidal system as well.

[@bryanclark6077]

Bradley Hallman Yea it’s awesome. I haven’t figured it out yet though. I’m originally from north alabama , grew up fishing Lewis Smith lake. Big difference between the two.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Bryan Clark They are totally opposite. Mobil is a pretty place but a tough place to catch em! Smaller spinner baits and jigs. Flip, Frog, squarebill crank. The farther away from the salt the better. Hope this helps

[@bryanclark6077]

Bradley Hallman It does. Thanks for responding!

[@user-ds8it7nf8j]

Love these video keep them coming could you do a canyon lake for a lake breakdown as well.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Definitely will do a canyon lake. Give me an example of one you would like to see.

[@user-ds8it7nf8j]

Bradley Hallman I’m going to be selfish but Horsetooth Reservoir if not maybe something like Lake Mead or Lake Powell. Give us Western Lakes some love on how to breakdown a lake. Horsetooth is small with some nice features

[@j.christopherhickman2060]

I live in south ms . No big lake or Resivor . Pearl river , Biloxi river , Pascagoula river , April 15 65 to 70 degrees . Somebody show me where to bass fish from a pro perspective

[@StoutSportsmen]

Would love to see what you think of some of our glacier type lakes (finger lakes) up here in New York.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

I’m going to cover some natural lakes as well

[@StoutSportsmen]

@@BradleyHallmanFishing glad to hear it. Would definitely like to see your thoughts as how the fish move and what they relate to when there is not the river channel.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

You are thinking correctly I can tell! That’s Awesome bud.

[@stevenmiller4368]

Great video!!! Really like seeing the techniques you use when preparing to fish a body of water.

[@dong8307]

Great show!!! Also, ordered a bunch of Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon’s after watching your spinnerbait show. Can’t wait to try them out.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Awesome Don! Thanks for watching and the feedback man. Truly appreciated.

[@arktrader]

Hi Bradley. I really like how you breakdown the lake and show key features to look at. This will definitely help eliminate low percentage water leaving more fishing time in potentially productive areas. When is part 2 coming ? This is great stuff and I’m ready for more! Thanks, you’re a friend to all of us who are striving to be the best fishermen we can be. Jeff

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

I’m going to do a summer time one coming soon!

[@bradbarton1961]

How about Norris Lake in East Tennessee??

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

I like the idea of Norris when I do a highland impoundment.

[@bradbarton1961]

Awesome. Wasn’t sure if considered river or highland. It has a vast shoreline. Fed by 2 rivers.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Brad Barton definitely a highland lake.

[@delylewoods1682]

Really nice video again! I hope you continue to push out good contain once your back in action fulltime. I saw in the video that in a couple places you said what you would throw, can you do more of that in your upcoming videos. Thanks again Dee Woods

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Absolutely good point man! I’ll try and talk about some lures as well. Thanks for the feedback.

[@jimliechty2983]

Why does my screen view look so much different? I am on a windows PC . Cannot find any different dates for photos of the lakes.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Ok it does not work on any kind of tablet as far as I know! We all wish it did. I realize you said your on a PC. Make sure you have gone to Google Earth website and downloaded their software. I start the software from the shortcut that can be automatically pinned to desktop when downloading.

[@stevesteve9202]

Jim you need to download Google Earth Pro if you want the pics from different time points. Regular Google Earth doesn't have that feature.

[@tjpinion422]

You should do lay lake as well same chain further down

[@davidball3461]

I thought you had to use google earth pro on a pc. You said google earth on a tablet. Can you go back in time on satellite images with regular google earth? Also I have seen people lay contour lines on top of navionics. Do you do that?

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Tablet yes but you can only go back in time on a laptop. You find out away pleaseeeee let me know!

[@davidball3461]

@@BradleyHallmanFishing I have heard you can’t use it that way on a tablet. I use an iPad so much I have about forgotten how to use a PC. I just stepped up to a decent graph at the console. It’s just a 9” Helix but it’s a Cadillac to me. I’m personally not interested in foward facing sonar at all. Problem is, in the fall to late prespawn I don’t have any chance against lesser anglers (IMO). I’m actually ready to quit fishing tournaments because of that BS I feel for pro’s like yourself who either have to use it or not get a check. Not even a pat on the back or a reach around.

[@Reefsymmetry]

Awesome video! I would love to see your take on the Harris Chain in Florida. Mainly Harris,Griffin, and Eustis.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Good chain of lakes. Probably my favorite fishery in Florida to be honest.

[@mikejohnston80]

Non fishing question but where did you get the fantastic wooden blinds for the door?

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Buddy of mine makes plantation blinds. That’s what they are called anyway.

[@chrisfoley3320]

Great info man. We are in that funk week right before the spawn at smithmountain lake in va. Break it down for me of you get a chance. Are you sure your not a school teacher that fishes. You explain things very well.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Not a teacher but thanks. I will look at doing Smith Mountain l have spent some time there through the years.

[@curtisd8162]

Do you still guide on any lakes? I’ve added going fishing with you to my bucket list.

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

Yes I haven’t in awhile but I’m planning on doing some again after the world gets back to normal.

[@tommybarksdale5783]

Thanks for all of the information. I’m just trying to learn. I understand finding creeks with feeders creeks flowing into them for the spawn. However I have several creeks on a lake that have creek beds, no feeder creeks, so do I take that into account or are the ones with feeder creeks better and I need to spend more time there?

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

More time in the feeder Creeks with a big channel. They will hold a larger population man!

[@straightsix1]

hi Brad. really enjoyed the breakdown of the lake system. You explain things really well, so we can all catch more fish.Looking at the lakes through different timelines is eye opening. :) thanks for sharing , Danny

[@BradleyHallmanFishing]

You can even checkout your house over time! It’s pretty 😎. Just Sayin.