Guntersville Post-Spawn Bass Are Headed Offshore: Ledge Fishing Heats Up in Early May (5/5/25)

This past week has been a bit different for me — I spent the early part of it in Arkansas turkey hunting with my good friend Steve from Ohio. We hunted for two days and I was fortunate enough to get my very first turkey. Definitely one of those memories I’ll hang on to for a long time. After that, we packed up, hit the road, and headed back to Guntersville to start preparing for the Captain D’s tournament.

We kicked off practice on Wednesday and by Friday, we felt like we had it dialed in. Not trying to sound cocky, but we had located some truly big post-spawn females and figured out the bait they wanted more than anything else we had tried all week.

During practice for the Captain D’s tournament, Steve and I were averaging around 50 bites a day. Most of the fish were in that solid 2- to 3-pound range, with several pushing 3.5 to 4 pounds. These were quality bites, no doubt — but not exactly the ones we were targeting. Because we were focused on locating key areas and not drawing extra attention, we often shook fish off or let them come off at the boat. We weren’t trying to land every one of them — just get a look, take note of the size, and keep our spots under the radar.

By late Thursday and into Friday, we started seeing those big post-spawn fish showing up on short-stay spots — places they only hold on for a few days. These are often the biggest fish in the lake, and it’s a really cool thing when you catch one and know exactly why they’re there. We found more than a few of those places.

Come tournament day, we had a great boat number — 19. I’ve had some strong finishes in this event before… second, fourth, seventh, tenth — but that win has always slipped through. Unfortunately, it did again this year. We had an issue with the boat not running right; it was barely hitting 60 mph. We shut it down to avoid causing damage and eventually found out it was a simple fix — just not something we could diagnose on the water. Disappointing for sure, but I wasn’t about to risk the motor. Still, the fishing itself was nothing short of incredible.

Solid Bass Trips & First-Time Artificial Anglers

Back on the guide side of things, we had some really solid trips this week. The bite is strong, with most days bringing steady action throughout the morning and into the early afternoon. Sunday’s trip was a fun one — I had a gentleman on board who had live-bait fished his whole life and wanted to try artificial lures for the first time. He ended up catching several fish, losing a few more, and had a great time figuring it out. At the end of the day, he realized he still preferred live bait — and honestly, I can’t blame him. Nothing wrong with sticking to what you love.

Special Trip with Captain Derek Remitz

Captain Derek Remitz had a special request trip early in the week with an angler who specifically wanted to fish with him. They got on a solid shad spawn bite and caught several quality fish, including a handful in the 4-pound range. The action stayed steady, and they were so focused and having such a great time that they didn’t stop to take any photos. It happens! Derek mentioned he’ll work on snapping a few next time — but it’s hard to complain when the bites are that good.

Crappie Fishing on Fire – Big Slabs & Quick Limits

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to fill the freezer with crappie, this is it. Captain Scott has been locked in and dialed into some heavy schools of quality slabs. His latest trip produced a full limit early in the morning — with multiple big fish that would make any crappie angler smile.

This time of year brings aggressive fish that are easy to target when you know where to look. The bites are fast, the size is impressive, and the action can be nonstop once you get on them. Whether you’re after a fun morning with family or stocking up for future fish fries, now is the time to make a crappie trip happen. The fish are there — you just have to go get ’em.

Master Offshore Fishing – Book a Private Electronics Class

There’s no better time than now to level up your fishing with an electronics training session. With fish grouped on ledges, shell beds, and offshore structure, this is the perfect learning environment to sharpen your skills.

These one-on-one sonar classes are fully tailored to your skill level and equipment — whether you’re just getting started or want to get more out of forward-facing sonar, side imaging, or mapping tools. You’ll learn how to locate fish more efficiently, identify structure, and make smarter decisions on the water. This isn’t theory — it’s practical, hands-on training that helps you become a better angler every time you go out.

If you’ve been wondering how to interpret what you’re seeing on your graph or want to break through the noise and confusion of sonar settings, I’ve got you covered. We’ll work on your boat or mine, and the goal is simple: to help you find and catch more fish.

Lake Guntersville Water Temps & Weather Update

Water temps were all over the place this week thanks to shifting weather patterns. We had a few warm days mixed in with overcast skies and steady rain. Surface temperatures rose during the sunny spells but quickly dropped again under cloud cover and drizzle.

Saturday was mostly wet and gray, and Sunday followed with more clouds, though we did see a few breaks of sun throughout the day. These swings kept fish moving, but they didn’t seem to slow the bite — especially for those key offshore areas where bigger bass are transitioning post-spawn.

Check this guy out — completely missing his upper lip.

Somewhere along the way, someone ripped it clean off, but that didn’t stop him. He’s still out here feeding and fighting like nothing ever happened. Tough fish!

Helpful Resources for Your Next Trip