Trip booked for Weiss Lake...

[Wade2131]

April 11th tru 15th can wait! Were staying at Little River Marina and going to try to fish in Little River. Long lining or spider rigging will be methods were trying first but the question is are we going to be to late for Weiss?

[footballcoach]

Depends on weather. You should be able to catch fish some may be pre spawn and some post spawn. Not sure little river will be the best place to fish at that time but Bill and those guys at little river will point you in the right direction.

[CrappiePappy]

You might be a "little" late on the main rush of the first wave, but the weather usually dictates how those things progress.

However, if you go by the "scientific" idea that spawning starts when the day reaches 13.5hrs in length ... then you'll be 10 days early.

Luckily, not all fish spawn at the same time ... and "conditions" can delay things for days or even weeks ... so there's still a good chance that you will find fish in all three stages of the spawn. Some will be coming in, some sitting on beds, and others staging at the channel edge (resting post-spawn).

If you're staying at Little River Marina, don't forget to fish in the creek where the marina sits ... especially around the private docks and out at the mouth of the creek. Watch for a gathering of boats up in Little River, and jump in amongst'em (esp. if guide boats are in the pack). Just don't run through the pack, or into them ... shut down and troll in from a distance. Check the water level and a good topo map ... and be aware that the bank on your right, after you leave Little River Marina and start going up into Little River, is quite shallow in spots and extends away from the shoreline quite a bit. Just watch where other boats travel, that are going in that direction. You will usually notice that they come out of the bay where the marina is, and head across towards the other side before turning right and heading up into Little River. Pull up Google Maps and use the satellite view, then zoom down on the northern most section of the lake ... that's Little River. When you find Little River Marina and plot your course up into Little River, you'll see the sand bars I'm talking about. Most run across to the point marked "vacation house rental" and then go up into Little River.

If there's not much of a crowd or action in Little River, I'd head to Yellow Creek and try. Or, if that's too far or you're uncomfortable going there ... head around to your left, after coming out from the marina, and go around to the bend that leads to the 68 bridge. I'd start around Woods Cove and run the bank around to where Cherokee County Rd 44 runs alongside the bank, and fish docks and visible brush & laydowns ... casting or spider rigging (especially along the rocky bank below county road 44).

I've only fished Weiss a few times, many years back, but those places were where I caught my fish.

[Wade2131]

Thanks for the advice - I'm thinking about hiring Mark Collins for the 1st day and then just do what the guide does, but its kinda $$.

[footballcoach]

It will be worth your money. Mark is a great guide. Also get in touch with me before you come. I live on Weiss and will be able to help you some. However, If you have never been here hiring a guide will be worth your money. Fish will be shallow then. It is easy to tear up a boat and motor on Weiss if you don't know where you are going

[Wade2131]

Thanks for the advice I will reach out to you as the trip nears

[Spaceman]

Guide is a great and wise investment. You will have fun your entire trip. Welcome to Alabama!