Has anyone here fished wheeler and might be able to help the team out.. We got our first college tournament this year on the lake. The tourney is March the 21rst and 22nd. Sadly we only get the 20th to practice so any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Wheeler Lake
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Should be pre-spawn when you fish.
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Doesn't the lake have grass?
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sent you a PM
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I used to live in Decatur, and I can tell you that the tournament will probably be won on the "Decatur flats". A ton of big fish in this area, but there are a ton of anglers there as well. It is thick with grass, stumps, lilly pads and just general "junk". Another area to check out is the Fox Creek area. Topwater frogs, and flipping jigs would be my first choice of baits in both areas. Good luck and watch out for the barges, they throw some wicked waves.
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Dow has fished Wheeler. Below is the report he posted on the BFHP. When he gets in I will tell him about your post in case someone has questions. BTW Stay at the Holiday Inn. Superior service and close to the ramp. Bekki
Subject: Wheeler Lake Bass Southern Open, Alabama
Submitted by Rattle Head Baits (ip 76.7.152.146)
Date Fished: 10/20/2007
Water Temperature: 75
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet
Lake Wheeler, Decatur, AL- I fished the Non-Boater side of the Bass Master Southern Open, Oct 18-20. The new facilities at Decatur were the best that I have encountered with any large tournament. Could launch 14 boats at a time, tie up over 100 boats and find plenty of parking. Thanks to all of the folks at Decatur who helped.
Fished day one, Oct. 18th, with a guy from KY, he was cranking mid lake points with a Deep little N and caught a good limit. I threw a C-rig and Texas rig to get a limit, but the crank bait fish were bigger. I started throwing a bandit and caught a 3-10 large mouth. We both culled fish all day. 20-30 MPH wind, cloudy most of the day.
Day 2- the pro from Al went down lake and started on shallow flats. He caught a 4 lb large mouth on a War Eagle spinner bait in White\Chart and I caught 2 small keepers on a Rattle Head Spinner bait in Clear Blue\green Crystal. We went and fished some rock ledges and he caught 3 more keepers on a Jig and Zoom twin tail. We went and fished some deep points and I caught 1 good keeper on a Berkley power worm. In the afternoon we fish some boat slips and started culling fish on 1/2 and 3/8 jigs with zoom trailers. I caught a 3.5 on a jig and twin trailer. 10-20 MPH overcast in morning sunny afternoon.
Day three- the Pro from AL started on some schooling fish. I caught 3 12-13 inch keepers on a deep little N and one on a 300 Bandit. He was throwing several different crank baits and a football jig in a dark color with a zoom twin trailer. I then started throwing a Rattle Head Jig with a Zoom twin trailer. Filled out my limit and culled all day. Could not get a big bite. Wind light and Sunny.
Finished 4th on the non-boater side with 24-1 and the Pro I fished with the last day, moved up 8 spots. My day 1 and 2 boaters also made the top 30 cut. It was a pleasure fishing with all of you.
Congratulations to the winners and to the Classic and Elite qualifiers!
Most productive baits, A Root Beer Rattle Head Jig with a Green Pumpkin twin trailer, Norman Deep Little N Pearl and Berkley Power worm in Pumpkin seed.
Dow Cox Rattle Head Baits
Subject: Wheeler Lake Bass Southern Open, Alabama
Submitted by Rattle Head Baits (ip 76.7.152.146)
Date Fished: 10/20/2007
Water Temperature: 75
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet
Lake Wheeler, Decatur, AL- I fished the Non-Boater side of the Bass Master Southern Open, Oct 18-20. The new facilities at Decatur were the best that I have encountered with any large tournament. Could launch 14 boats at a time, tie up over 100 boats and find plenty of parking. Thanks to all of the folks at Decatur who helped.
Fished day one, Oct. 18th, with a guy from KY, he was cranking mid lake points with a Deep little N and caught a good limit. I threw a C-rig and Texas rig to get a limit, but the crank bait fish were bigger. I started throwing a bandit and caught a 3-10 large mouth. We both culled fish all day. 20-30 MPH wind, cloudy most of the day.
Day 2- the pro from Al went down lake and started on shallow flats. He caught a 4 lb large mouth on a War Eagle spinner bait in White\Chart and I caught 2 small keepers on a Rattle Head Spinner bait in Clear Blue\green Crystal. We went and fished some rock ledges and he caught 3 more keepers on a Jig and Zoom twin tail. We went and fished some deep points and I caught 1 good keeper on a Berkley power worm. In the afternoon we fish some boat slips and started culling fish on 1/2 and 3/8 jigs with zoom trailers. I caught a 3.5 on a jig and twin trailer. 10-20 MPH overcast in morning sunny afternoon.
Day three- the Pro from AL started on some schooling fish. I caught 3 12-13 inch keepers on a deep little N and one on a 300 Bandit. He was throwing several different crank baits and a football jig in a dark color with a zoom twin trailer. I then started throwing a Rattle Head Jig with a Zoom twin trailer. Filled out my limit and culled all day. Could not get a big bite. Wind light and Sunny.
Finished 4th on the non-boater side with 24-1 and the Pro I fished with the last day, moved up 8 spots. My day 1 and 2 boaters also made the top 30 cut. It was a pleasure fishing with all of you.
Congratulations to the winners and to the Classic and Elite qualifiers!
Most productive baits, A Root Beer Rattle Head Jig with a Green Pumpkin twin trailer, Norman Deep Little N Pearl and Berkley Power worm in Pumpkin seed.
Dow Cox Rattle Head Baits
Fishing should be awesome down there. I have had good luck on a strike king xs crankbait in the watermelon chartruese color fished over stumps and shallow water. You can throw a bandit 1 minus also. I don't really know of any places that I would target. If they are pulling the water, fish stack up big time on Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick. You may kill them on Thursday, and they will cut the water off on Saturday, and you are screwed. The flats will be great. Always throw a big jig this time of year. Water temps should be in the 70 range.
Good luck, great lake, lots of fish.
triton
Good luck, great lake, lots of fish.
triton
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Then you won't be far from the flats. Look for the railroad bridge that goes over the lake, and go under it and head right, these are the infamous Decatur flats. Good luck!
I've fished from the Dec Flats to the dam... If the water is normal and there have been no strong fronts push through... stick with the flats... Chrome and Blue Rat-L-trap is an awesome lure there... then there is always a Spinnerbait or a Senko. Tons of grass, so be ready for it. If a strong front has pushed through, try the Elk River... black & blue Jig if it is stained or brown and black if it is not. If you decide to go towards the dam, hit second creek and shoal creek with a black jig and a white spinnerbait. Don't be afraid to throw the Shad Rap there either... Best of luck.
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