Pickwick Lake from the air

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The Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake begins on Thursday, with a lot of weather changes to come. This tranquil scene will turn ugly on Wednesday, as a major storm system packing heavy rain with the potential for tornados crosses the Tennessee River valley in northern Alabama. <br><br> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
The Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake begins on Thursday, with a lot of weather changes to come. This tranquil scene will turn ugly on Wednesday, as a major storm system packing heavy rain with the potential for tornados crosses the Tennessee River valley in northern Alabama.
All captions: Craig Lamb
The Tennessee Valley Authority intentionally kept the water level below normal in anticipation of the rain to come and for what came over the weekend at the headwaters of the Tennessee River. By Friday, the water level on Pickwick is predicted to rise by 2 feet, bringing with it new bass fishing habitat, fresh water runoff and the potential for the mid-lake area to be where the tournament is won.
The Tennessee Valley Authority intentionally kept the water level below normal in anticipation of the rain to come and for what came over the weekend at the headwaters of the Tennessee River. By Friday, the water level on Pickwick is predicted to rise by 2 feet, bringing with it new bass fishing habitat, fresh water runoff and the potential for the mid-lake area to be where the tournament is won.
That is the prediction of full-time guide David Allen, who operates David Allen Fishing on the lake. Allen has guided clients daily for the past few weeks. The lake spans 50 miles, so we chose to narrow it down to the mid-lake region, where Allen will be your tour guide for this aerial tour.
That is the prediction of full-time guide David Allen, who operates David Allen Fishing on the lake. Allen has guided clients daily for the past few weeks. The lake spans 50 miles, so we chose to narrow it down to the mid-lake region, where Allen will be your tour guide for this aerial tour.
On Wednesday, the surface temperature was 67 degrees at the Natchez Trace bridge; it was 57 degrees at Wilson Dam. The contrasting water temps and the incoming water will set up in favor of the anglers at mid-lake. In the background is Kogers Island.
On Wednesday, the surface temperature was 67 degrees at the Natchez Trace bridge; it was 57 degrees at Wilson Dam. The contrasting water temps and the incoming water will set up in favor of the anglers at mid-lake. In the background is Kogers Island.
“If had to put money on which section of the lake it’ll be won in, that would be Kogers Island to Cane Creek, because that’s where the most hydrilla is, and where the bigger quality largemouth will be caught. At a recent tournament, we had 19 bags over 20 pounds and big bass was a 9-pounder. And in recent local tournaments, there were five 9-pounders caught down here, all of them from the grass.”
“If had to put money on which section of the lake it’ll be won in, that would be Kogers Island to Cane Creek, because that’s where the most hydrilla is, and where the bigger quality largemouth will be caught. At a recent tournament, we had 19 bags over 20 pounds and big bass was a 9-pounder. And in recent local tournaments, there were five 9-pounders caught down here, all of them from the grass.”
Our first stop is a classic Pickwick main-lake drain. The boat is 75 yards off the shoreline and the water is only 8 feet deep. “When the water comes up, and during prespawn, the bass will use these pea gravel flats as a current break, where they will stack up and you can even use side scan to see them.”
Our first stop is a classic Pickwick main-lake drain. The boat is 75 yards off the shoreline and the water is only 8 feet deep. “When the water comes up, and during prespawn, the bass will use these pea gravel flats as a current break, where they will stack up and you can even use side scan to see them.”
“The setup here is deeper water on either side of the pea gravel drains. The bass will position on the back side of the gravel wash, also using it as a current break. A guy could set up here and catch multiple keepers as the bass come up with the higher water.”
“The setup here is deeper water on either side of the pea gravel drains. The bass will position on the back side of the gravel wash, also using it as a current break. A guy could set up here and catch multiple keepers as the bass come up with the higher water.”
“This is actually one of the shallower flats. Some run even farther out, and those are perfect for bass to use as current breaks, depending on the water level.”
“This is actually one of the shallower flats. Some run even farther out, and those are perfect for bass to use as current breaks, depending on the water level.”
The gravel flats can be found along the main river channel, where the bass come up to spawn.
The gravel flats can be found along the main river channel, where the bass come up to spawn.
We move to another area, this one described by Allen as a prime spawning setup. “It’s like the last spot, but with more consistent pea gravel on the shoreline.”
We move to another area, this one described by Allen as a prime spawning setup. “It’s like the last spot, but with more consistent pea gravel on the shoreline.”
“The main difference is there are current breaks on the downriver side of this major creek.”
“The main difference is there are current breaks on the downriver side of this major creek.”
“You have a gravel bank, with points, so when the current gets high and the water comes up, the fish have a place to get out of the current and still stage on the main river.”
“You have a gravel bank, with points, so when the current gets high and the water comes up, the fish have a place to get out of the current and still stage on the main river.”
“Then, the bass migrate into this spawning pocket. The bass are on their way up from the river, and even more are on their way.”
“Then, the bass migrate into this spawning pocket. The bass are on their way up from the river, and even more are on their way.”
We move into Bear Creek, the largest in the mid- and lower-lake section. This creek supports a resident population of bass that never go into the main-river channel. “It’s got everything they need: deep water, pea gravel banks and a spawning flat.”
We move into Bear Creek, the largest in the mid- and lower-lake section. This creek supports a resident population of bass that never go into the main-river channel. “It’s got everything they need: deep water, pea gravel banks and a spawning flat.”
And a submerged roadbed that crosses the creek. “The bass can be caught along it, and around the blown-up bridge in the middle.”
And a submerged roadbed that crosses the creek. “The bass can be caught along it, and around the blown-up bridge in the middle.”
What else stands out are boat docks, many of which were out of the water, at least on Wednesday. “Someone might find bass staged on the dock posts, as the water comes in, because some are located near the deeper water in the creek.”
What else stands out are boat docks, many of which were out of the water, at least on Wednesday. “Someone might find bass staged on the dock posts, as the water comes in, because some are located near the deeper water in the creek.”
“The docks are perfect transition areas, and some bass will spawn near them on the pea gravel banks.”
“The docks are perfect transition areas, and some bass will spawn near them on the pea gravel banks.”
Others will spawn in what Allen described as a major spawning flat located in the back of the creek.
Others will spawn in what Allen described as a major spawning flat located in the back of the creek.
We move to an offshore area bordering the river channel. The key draw is an abundance of staging cover for prespawn bass. Nearby are spawning flats, where the bass will eventually move to as the water rises. “With the water coming up a foot or more, all this habitat will be covered up in water.”
We move to an offshore area bordering the river channel. The key draw is an abundance of staging cover for prespawn bass. Nearby are spawning flats, where the bass will eventually move to as the water rises. “With the water coming up a foot or more, all this habitat will be covered up in water.”
There is a wide variety of staging and transition cover for migrating prespawn bass, including this row of stumps.
There is a wide variety of staging and transition cover for migrating prespawn bass, including this row of stumps.
A key attractant for the bass are these pea gravel bars, providing a prespawn-type of highway for migrating fish.
A key attractant for the bass are these pea gravel bars, providing a prespawn-type of highway for migrating fish.
“The bass have already been on these flats, and just backed off as the water went down. Most likely, the fish are nearby and, in the ditches, waiting for the water to come back up.”
“The bass have already been on these flats, and just backed off as the water went down. Most likely, the fish are nearby and, in the ditches, waiting for the water to come back up.”
Out nearer the river channel are bars where the fish can use those as current breaks, when the water rises and moves faster.
Out nearer the river channel are bars where the fish can use those as current breaks, when the water rises and moves faster.
“Some of the bass will move up on these shell beds and spawn.”
“Some of the bass will move up on these shell beds and spawn.”
“Overall, what could happen, is when the fresh water arrives the fish will move up, get behind the stumps, on the shell bars, using those as current breaks, and either spawn here or move on to the major nearby spawning flats.”
“Overall, what could happen, is when the fresh water arrives the fish will move up, get behind the stumps, on the shell bars, using those as current breaks, and either spawn here or move on to the major nearby spawning flats.”
We move to where Allen predicts the tournament could be won. This is Kogers Island, where several local events were won in recent weeks. An abundance and variety of habitat surrounding the island is the reason why.
We move to where Allen predicts the tournament could be won. This is Kogers Island, where several local events were won in recent weeks. An abundance and variety of habitat surrounding the island is the reason why.
“Behind the island are main river bars, shell mounds, stump rows, deep water creek channels bordered by shallower water, all of it textbook prespawn habitat concentrated in one area.”
“Behind the island are main river bars, shell mounds, stump rows, deep water creek channels bordered by shallower water, all of it textbook prespawn habitat concentrated in one area.”
Here is a prime example of the long pea gravel flat that tapers from behind the island to that variety of structure described by Allen.
Here is a prime example of the long pea gravel flat that tapers from behind the island to that variety of structure described by Allen.
Stump rows line each side of the island, providing prime staging cover for prespawn bass.
Stump rows line each side of the island, providing prime staging cover for prespawn bass.
“The challenge is going to be how the anglers stack up on this area, because it’s so concentrated.”
“The challenge is going to be how the anglers stack up on this area, because it’s so concentrated.”
Another challenge will be how the anglers share water around the key attractant at Kogers Island.
Another challenge will be how the anglers share water around the key attractant at Kogers Island.
“Here is where the most hydrilla grows on the entire lake. And it grows bordering all that key habitat, such as the long gravel bars, stump rows and shell mounds.”
“Here is where the most hydrilla grows on the entire lake. And it grows bordering all that key habitat, such as the long gravel bars, stump rows and shell mounds.”
Nearby is more hydrilla growing along the shoreline and near docks.
Nearby is more hydrilla growing along the shoreline and near docks.
And thicker hydrilla, which will attract bass and bait as the water comes up during the tournament.
And thicker hydrilla, which will attract bass and bait as the water comes up during the tournament.
Near the hydrilla is this row of docks, the likes of which could be a player when the water goes up. Note the drain leading to the dock with the green roof.
Near the hydrilla is this row of docks, the likes of which could be a player when the water goes up. Note the drain leading to the dock with the green roof.
Allen said even subtle bottom habitat, like the isolated tree on the edge of the waterline, will attract migrating bass.
Allen said even subtle bottom habitat, like the isolated tree on the edge of the waterline, will attract migrating bass.
Allen said either side of the Natchez Trace bridge supports hydrilla, and ideal spawning habitat. It’s like all of the best variety of habitat for springtime fishing is located here.
Allen said either side of the Natchez Trace bridge supports hydrilla, and ideal spawning habitat. It’s like all of the best variety of habitat for springtime fishing is located here.
We move on to the entrance of Second Creek. “It’s a major spawning creek and has one of the most recognizable features for a Tennessee River fishery.”
We move on to the entrance of Second Creek. “It’s a major spawning creek and has one of the most recognizable features for a Tennessee River fishery.”
That would be a causeway bridge. “It’s a typical staging area on the river.”
That would be a causeway bridge. “It’s a typical staging area on the river.”
“The bass stage here and especially along the riprap, before moving into the creek to spawn.”
“The bass stage here and especially along the riprap, before moving into the creek to spawn.”
“There is a feeder creek, a lot of pea gravel banks, crappie piles and other spawning habitat, making it a textbook spawning area.”
“There is a feeder creek, a lot of pea gravel banks, crappie piles and other spawning habitat, making it a textbook spawning area.”
And with that, we put the boat back on the trailer at Waterloo Boat Ramp. Allen, a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, has guided on Pickwick fulltime for the past five years. His customers come from afar, to experience the world-class smallmouth fishing, and not too shabby largemouth fishing. Reach him on Facebook at David Allen Fishing, on his website at davidallenfishinig.com, or by phone at (270) 205-9380.
And with that, we put the boat back on the trailer at Waterloo Boat Ramp. Allen, a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, has guided on Pickwick fulltime for the past five years. His customers come from afar, to experience the world-class smallmouth fishing, and not too shabby largemouth fishing. Reach him on Facebook at David Allen Fishing, on his website at davidallenfishinig.com, or by phone at (270) 205-9380.