South Alabama Launches on Lake Martin Saturday
The Alabama South Division 2 of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, opens its 2012 season Feb. 11 on Lake Martin near Alexander City, Ala.
The anglers will run out of the Wind Creek State Park Marina, located at 4325 Alabama Highway 128 in Alexander City, Ala., starting at 6:15 a.m. or safe light. The weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. The priority entry deadline is Jan. 22, 2012, with late fees beginning on Feb. 1, 2012. Registration and briefings will take place at Charles Bailey Sportsplex Gym, located at 1685 Arena Road in Alexander City. 35010
Anglers fishing the Boater Division may weigh in up to five bass, each at least 12 inches long. Co-anglers may weigh in up to three bass. All anglers must possess an Alabama fishing license. For license information, see www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/fwfishlicinfo or call (888) 848-6887
Anglers can fish anywhere on the 44,000-acre impoundment in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties. Dating back to 1926, the clear, upland lake offers anglers more than 750 miles of shoreline and drops to more than 150 feet deep in places. Many people fish around the islands that dot the lake. In addition, numerous coves sided by steep rocky bluffs can provide good action and protection from the wind. Some better places to fish include Coley Creek and Elkahatchee creeks.
During warm weather, anglers can catch fish on topwaters around the islands. In the winter, many anglers fish jigs slowly on the bottom. Work over docks and points with shad-colored crankbaits, white spinnerbaits or soft plastics. Throw Carolina-rigged lizards off points or run swimming jigs along drop-offs. Anglers can also flip jigs around brush.
As the spawn begins, many anglers sight-fish in the clear waters. Look for bass on the beds and drag tubes, creatures or similar soft plastics through the nests. Hot colors include junebug, watermelon, black and blue or green pumpkin. Soft plastic trailers on a shaky head jig worked slowly near the bottom or around submerged brush piles might also attract attention from lunker largemouths.
During the two-day Alabama South Division 2 championship tournament, held in September 2011, Jimmy Miller of Eclectic, Ala., won with a total of 10 bass weighing 22.97 pounds including a 3.36-pound kicker. He caught his fish on spinnerbaits and topwaters. Joe A. Wikoff of Phenix City landed the tournament lunker, a 4.51-pounder.
In the Co-Angler Division during that September 2011 tournament, Michael M. Smith of Laurel Hill, Fla., brought in a two-day division limit of six bass going 12.24 pounds with a 3.81-pound kicker. He caught fish on topwaters, drop shots and shaky head jigs. Bill Capps of Auburn, Ala., took the division big bass title with a 4.17-pounder that hit a chatterbait.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti at (256) 230-5632 or ABA at (888) 203-6222. On line, at www.americanbassanglers.com.
Home Page | 
