Fishing Report from Alabama’s Steve Hacker Guide Service 12-24-09
gengberg December 24th, 2009
lake: Pickwick
water temp: 46.7 to 47.0 degrees
visibility: approx. 2 feet
discharge rate: approx. 165,000 cfs
Spillways are still running hard at Wilson Dam, with a discharge rate between 150k and 200k for over 3 weeks now. McFarland Park back open, so decided to meet Judd and David Branch at Florence Harbor and try for some smallmouths before heading to Mom’s for Christmas. For three guys recovering from being sick (they were just finishing up their antibiotics), we didn’t do to badly! 
Weather was nice for late December, with forecast highs to be in the mid to upper 50’s, and winds out of the SE at around 10 mph. Water a little chilly, though, as it has dropped to near 46 degrees, getting close to that bottom limit for a decent bass bite this far south.
We got off to a fast start, catching 4 nice smallmouths and a nice striper on big spinnerbaits in just a few minutes on our first stop. Then it was like flipping a ligh switch to “off”, and it took us a while to figure out what was changing . . .
Current was still flying and spillways open, but TVA was dropping the water level, possibly in anticipation of this weather system moving in today and to increase reservoir holding capacity for the rains forecast (flood watches and warnings already being issued for this evening). I checked when I got home and the lake level dropped from 421.68 to 420.64 while we were out, and that over 1 foot drop in level combined with the cold water didn’t make the fish too happy.
We plugged on, though, and ended up with a really nice bunch of fish, including the “grand slam” of keeper smallmouth, largemouth, and spot. You can see from the picture, though, that nice smallmouths were the feature for the day, as hoped for. Timing was perfect, as a light drizzle started just as we were snapping pictures. All fish released in great shape after photos, and I had a great time with Judd and David, and thank them for the day.
Best bait was the Strike King 1 oz. Bottom Dweller spinnerbait. Also caught a nice fish each on a grub, Yamamoto Fat Ika, and jig/pig.
Our very best to you and yours for CHRISTmas. We’re heading out in a few minutes for Mom’s, and the boys can’t wait to get to Grandma’s. Wind is howling already outside, and latest weather forecast is calling for SE winds of 25-35 mph with gusts of 45-50 mph, and since we’re headed NW, I’m hoping I don’t even have to push the gas pedal on the Tahoe!
God bless,
Steve and family
