Seasonal Offshore Grass Patterns on Lake Guntersville

Seasonal Offshore Grass Patterns on Lake Guntersville

With the four distinct seasons spring, summer, fall, and winter on Lake Guntersville there comes very distinct patterns that hold up year after year. Let us break them down with patterns and baits so you can put them into your mental memory as we progress through the four seasons!

First of all, let’s start with the season right in front of us, as we approach summer what patterns should we expect and what offshore baits give you the best results? Summer on Guntersville is all about grass lines, deep outside grass edges become feeding places for bass, the bait moves to the grass edges, the bass follow and the edges become safe heaven areas for the bass they can hide along the edges, and feed in safety areas for them. These areas also hide the bass from the bright sun and create oxygen when current or wind move the water. Soft plastics like big worms and creature baits are my baits of choice.

Next, fall is all about shad movement there is no season where there is more bait in the lake than fall. The shad have spawned out many times, and the lake is full of easy prey as they target bait fish in big feeding groups. This is an incredibly competitive time for the bass because they are in groups, they become athletes and try to win the moment for each group of bait making moving baits your best choice. Swim baits, jerk baits, rattle baits all produce this time of year.

Third, winter can be a special time of year as the massive fish are on the move and target the sparce grass with jigs, from shallow water to deep grass edges the winter can be exciting. On Guntersville they could be in three feet of water or twenty; let the water temperature guide you!

Lastly, spring or pre-spawn staging can be dynamic targets, the mouths of spawning grounds should be targeted, let the rains help you with depth as they will move shallow with the high water and out with the dry times or lack of rain. Lipless crank baits and chatter baits are on your plate as baits of choice, swim jigs and square bills also become fish catchers. Be committed relentless and you will have a blast on Lake Guntersville!