August 30 Fishing Report: Lake Guntersville Bass Move Shallow
August is going out with a pretty good bite on Lake Guntersville. September arrives this upcoming week, and while nobody down here is calling it fall weather yet, this is the time of year when we start watching for the first real changes that lead into fall fishing.
Those changes are showing.
The water is still warm, but the bass got noticeably shallower on us this week. We feel like the strong full moon played a part in where some of those fish positioned and how they fed. Whatever part the moon played, the result was good. Fish were in areas we like, they were eating pretty well, and quality bass kept showing up with the numbers.
We are also getting bites several different ways right now. ChatterBaits, topwater baits and Texas rig worms are all producing fish. There are a couple other things working that we are keeping in the boat for our clients for now.
The Full Moon Changed The Look Of The Lake
One of the more interesting pieces of the week was how shallow some of the bass got.
We are not going to say every fish on Lake Guntersville made the same move because this lake is never that simple. What we can say is that enough good fish showed up shallow that it changed where we spent our time.
The full moon was strong, and we feel like it had something to do with that movement. Some of the better feeding stretches happened in water that made us stop and think about how close we are getting to another seasonal change.
September does not magically turn Lake Guntersville into fall overnight. The water is still warm and summer is still very much here. But this is usually when we start paying closer attention to little clues that tell us the lake is getting ready to turn another page.
Watch The Water Temperature Instead Of Guessing
We are intentionally not putting a single water temperature in this report because conditions change. Our live Lake Guntersville water temperature page is the better place to check the most current reading before your trip.
Davy And Capt. Jim Got To Fish Like Old Times
One of the best parts of the week had nothing to do with finding a brand new pattern. Capt. Jim got back in the boat with Davy from Virginia, a longtime Guntersville Bass Guides™ client who has also become a good friend over the years.
They caught them pretty good. There were plenty of nice bass in the mix and some bigger fish to keep things interesting.
The part that made the trip stand out was getting to fish in a way Jim and Davy had not spent much time doing in years. We are going to leave the details of exactly what that means off the internet for now. It was familiar, relaxed and just plain fun.
Tristan was in the mix too and added several good Lake Guntersville bass to the camera roll.
Tristan Got In On It Too
Capt. Jim Even Got One For The Camera
Zach Came Back With His Two Youngest Boys
Apparently Zach was not finished with Lake Guntersville this month.
This trip looked a little different. Nina was not along, and Zach brought his two youngest sons, the two boys who did not get to make the earlier family trip.
Zach messaged us and said the boys really wanted to bass fish. The answer was pretty simple. Come on.
They climbed into Capt. Phillip’s boat about as green to bass fishing as young anglers can be, and then they did the important part themselves. They made casts, got bites and caught their fish.
By the time the morning was rolling, those boys looked a whole lot more comfortable holding Lake Guntersville largemouth.
A Quick Note About The Family Pictures
A few bass were held briefly so Zach and the boys could get these family pictures together. They were not carried around all day. Once the pictures were finished, the fish went back in the lake.
The First Bass Of The Morning
Then The Boys Started Filling Up The Camera Roll
And Then Came The Two Fish Pictures
This Is Why We Like Taking Families Fishing
These boys did not need years of bass fishing experience to have a good morning. Capt. Phillip put them in position, they listened, they made the casts and they caught the fish. That is exactly how young anglers start building confidence.
What We Will Tell You About The Bite
There is more than one way to catch a Lake Guntersville bass right now, which is one of the reasons the fishing has been so enjoyable.
ChatterBaits
ChatterBaits are producing fish and fit well when we are around bass that want to react and chase.
Topwater
Topwater is still in play and gives us another way to take advantage when fish are positioned right and willing to look up.
Texas Rig Worms
A Texas rig worm continues to catch bass and gives us a slower option when we need to settle down and work through productive water.
A Couple Things Stay In The Boat
We have a couple other productive techniques working right now. We are not publishing those yet. Our clients get the benefit of those details when they climb into the boat with us.
The Important Part Is The Adjustment
The full moon changed where enough fish were holding that we had to move with them. The best anglers on Guntersville do not spend all day trying to make last week’s fish be in last week’s places. They pay attention to what the lake is showing them now.
We Say Goodbye To August And Start Looking At September
August is the last month that really feels like pure summer on the fishing calendar. September arrives this upcoming week, and that always gets us thinking about what comes next.
Anglers farther north usually start thinking fall as soon as September gets here. North Alabama is not quite there yet, but we are not far behind. The water is warm, the days are still summer days, and we are already seeing enough movement from the bass to know the next transition is getting closer.
Right now we have fish in good areas, a shallow bite that got our attention, moving bait bites, worm bites and a couple tricks that are staying with the clients in our boats.
More importantly, we are having a blast out there.
Davy and Capt. Jim got to spend time fishing like they had years ago. Tristan caught good fish. Capt. Phillip put Zach and his two youngest boys on an excellent morning, and two young anglers who came in with very little bass fishing experience were catching their own fish before it was over.
That is a pretty good way to close August.
September is next, and we think the fishing is only going to get better from here.
One Lake, Five Guides, A Lot Of Information
Capt. Jim, Capt. Myles, Capt. Scott, Capt. Phillip and Capt. Derek are on Lake Guntersville throughout the season. Different boats see different sections of the lake, different groups of fish and sometimes different reactions to the same conditions.
That shared information matters, especially when the fish start moving and the lake begins another seasonal transition.
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