Time to start looking for that new boat? The Boat Show is coming soon to your area!

Check out these links to find one near you.

Birmingham Boat Show

Huntsville Boat Show

Montgomery Boat Show

Mobile Boat Show

Barry's Tips

Fishing Flooded Lakes

If you ever get the chance to fish a flooded lake, JUMP ON IT!!!! I don't think fishing can get any better or easier. A lot of the lakes here on the Coosa chain are used for flood control, but when these lakes flood after being down for five feet all winter, the fishing becomes incredible!

I have had the opportunity to fish the Coosa on several occasions when the water was five to ten foot above full pool. Winter or summer - it does not matter. FISH WILL MOVE TO ANY KIND OF RUNOFF THERE IS. What I mean by runoff, is drainage ditches, pipes that run under roads, boat ramps, etc. I have fished a drainage ditch and caught over thirty bass in just a few hours.

If this does not work for you, then go to the flooded timber or bushes. Sometimes this can be difficult because of the thickness of the cover. Try flipping around the trees or just fishing the edge of the tree lines. Even those boat docks that have been high and dry become prime bass habitat.

A prime example of what I am talking about is, I have fished a boat ramp that was lined with crepe myrtles, and caught a pile of fish. It's just hard to explain how easy it is to catch fish that are out for a meal and nothing else.

Bass are usually cover-oriented or look for an ambush place to hide, waiting on that unsuspecting prey, but when the rivers flood they are pretty much force-fed by stuff washing into the lake.

Now, the best baits I have found to be successful are worms, lizards, and crank baits. Worms seem to be the best and it doesn't really make any difference how you rig it - Carolina rig, Texas style, shaky head, or even wacky worm. They all work well. Just remember what ever kind of cover you are fishing, fish it good all the way around it, through it, over it, or to the sides of it - just cover it good. Usually if you catch one you are going to catch several.

Now, the big secret to fishing a flooded lake is timing. What you want to do is try to be there after the lake is flooded, but no longer than one day after it has reach flood stage. Anything after that, if the water ain't still rising, then the runoff has stopped and it becomes part of the lake again. They will move out just as fast as they moved in. Fish are smart. They know where the food is, but they don't want to be trapped there. So there is a short period of time to get in on the best fishing. Be there as much as the weather permits. And what is really good about this type of fishing is you can do it from a boat or from the bank. Just find a place where you have water on both sides of a road because it will have drainage pipes to allow the water to flow up or down on both sides. If the water is still rising, fish the backwater side. If the water has started dropping, fish the lake side.

Be safe and stay warm!!!

See Ya Barry

Email me at barry@bamabassfishing.com.

It's Here!

Its time to make your picks for the first tournament of the 2009 FLW Fantasy Fishing Challenge. Lake Guntersville, in our very own state of Alabama, is up first.

FLW has announced a potential $10 million in cash and prizes to be given away.
And entering is free!

Go to FLW Fantasy Fishing! to find out all about it. After you register, be sure to join the
Bama Bass Fishing League so we can follow everyone's progress. Its lots of fun and
you could be the next Fantasy Fishing millionaire!

To join the Bama Bass Fishing League use this information:

League Id: 14611
Password: showmethemoney!

Watch this video for the 2008 Winners' presentation!

Want to better your chances of winning? Then sign up for Players Advantage. You will have access to extensive information available only to Players Advantage members. Click here or click on the image below to sign up. And the cost this year is only $10!

Just another reminder to visit our new BBF Store!

We have partnered with some of the biggest names in fishing and created an online store where you can shop for anything you might need in the way of tackle, lures, books - even boats! All of these items are things you will buy anyway - but now you can shop in one place and help support your favorite bass fishing site! Granted we only get a tiny commission off everything you buy, but this will help us continue to improve the site and bring you all the information you need for bass fishing in Alabama. And best of all - we have the best prices on the web and it won't cost you a dime more!

Visit the BBF Store and let us know what you think. And when you "go shopping" for that new rod and reel or subscribe to a new magazine, remember to start your trip in the BBF Store. Barry and I will thank you and will continue to bring you new information to the site.

Thanks again,

Ed

'Til Next Time, Happy Fishin'!