Bite Windows, Monster Catches & CFO-Level Talent
This week, the bass gave us fits here and there — but when they decided to fire up, it was game on. Early in the week, we saw some short windows where they’d bite, but if you landed on them and got the school going, it turned into one of those trips you remember. A mix of returning clients and new ones joined us, and by the end of each trip, everyone felt like friends.
Greg’s Two-Day Trip: The Monster & The Clinic
Greg spent two days with us, and each one had its own highlight.
On Day 1, the fish bit early and then turned into more of a run-and-gun deal — a bite here, a bite there. I even picked up a rod myself, mostly just to position Greg better on the next cast. But one fish had other plans…
Out of nowhere, I stuck a true July giant: an 8 lb 8 oz bass. That fish absolutely hammered it, and what followed was one of the best fights I’ve had in a long time. She dug hard at the boat, came up just long enough to show her size, then dove again. I had to back the drag off — and if you know me, that’s rare.
While I don’t like hooking fish when I’m guiding, Greg was a great sport about it. He was genuinely happy for me, which says a lot — but you better believe I’d have been even happier to see him land that beast.
Afternoon Heat, Half-Day Hustle, and Big Mike’s
We also had some younger anglers join us, brought by their grandfather. They did great — handled the heat, learned fast, and made it fun. Then Curtis and Drew came along for an afternoon 6-hour trip after a 4-hour morning outing. The bite was a grind. We caught fish, but the heat was brutal, and the fish were short-striking like crazy — sometimes you’d get your bait back missing the tail.
But we wrapped it up the right way: with a solid meal at Big Mike’s Steakhouse — a tradition at this point, and always a great ending to a long day.
Master Your Electronics – Advanced Sonar Training
Get the most out of your fish finders, side imaging, forward-facing sonar, and 2D sonar with real-world instruction from Captain Jim. Whether you’re brand new or need help fine-tuning your settings — this class will change how you see the water.
View Class Details
Stripers, Storms & Greg’s Redemption
I also ran a short striper trip with a young man and his grandparents. Unfortunately, it seemed like Mother Nature had other plans — the stripers were finicky, short-striking, and barely committing. Could’ve been the moon phase or just one of those days.
Then Greg came back for his second trip. We thought lightning might chase us off, but it held to the north — and the bass showed up ready to eat. Greg put on an absolute clinic, catching fish after fish right out of the gate. We moved to a second spot, and the bite got downright violent — it felt like they were trying to snatch the rod right out of his hands.
When that school slowed down, we moved again and hit a windy stretch I hadn’t fished in a while — and it was loaded. Greg caught his big one, then followed it up with two more near-lunkers on back-to-back casts. One came off at the boat, but it didn’t matter — it was one of those magical mornings.
🧒 The CFO & Crew
Next up: two boys from Louisiana with their grandpa. The bite was fast for the first couple of hours, then tapered off, but they got to see what Lake Guntersville can do. Then came the Oswald family — dad and two sons. One of them? An 8-year-old I nicknamed the CFO — Chief Fishing Officer.
Eli didn’t want to cast after a while — he had me do it. Once I’d hook up, he’d take over and finish the fight. That’s efficiency! His big brother Will? That kid can fish. He took instruction, worked the lure like a pro, and steadily caught bass all day. Super impressive young man.
Fish Now, Pay Later – Book with Flexibility
Don’t let timing or budgeting stop your next Lake Guntersville trip. With our “Fish Now, Pay Later” option, you can lock in your date and split the cost with Afterpay or other flexible methods.
Learn More & Apply
📈 Fishing Forecast – July 14–20, 2025
Just when you think the dog days of summer are here to stay, Lake Guntersville surprises you.
The bite looks to hold steady this week. We’re expecting the same patterns:
- Midday heat
- Scattered rain chances
- Intermittent wind, which may help certain spots fire up again
The offshore bite shifted earlier this week, forcing us to adjust, but by the weekend, we were back on some deeper schools. I expect the 12–14 ft depth range to become more consistent again. The moon may have pulled fish temporarily, but the big ones are still around — you just have to adjust and stay mobile
Explore More Lake Guntersville Resources
Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning for another day on the water, our website has everything you need — from trip pricing and real-time water temps to advanced electronics training and striper options.
