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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, host Nick Williams checks in with Steve Graziano from Lake Eufaula for a deep dive into late-summer bass tactics, and with Shannon Wood for a Mobile-Tensaw Delta bluegill and crabbing update. We cover how cooler weather and shifting patterns are affecting the bite, tournament wrap-ups, and even a few unconventional angling adventures.
Conditions Recap
Anglers across Alabama are seeing a welcome break from the extreme summer heat. Recent rains and intermittent overcast skies have cooled surface temps — Lake Eufaula has dropped from the low 90s to around 87–88°F. Mornings in the 70s and steady afternoon breezes around 15 mph have made fishing more comfortable. Rain showers are mostly confined to afternoons, creating prime windows of activity in the early morning. Winds have been strong enough to move bait without hampering boat control, and current flow has been a key factor in locating fish.
Lake Eufaula Bass Fishing Report – With Steve Graziano
Graziano reports that bass fishing remains strong, but anglers need to put in time with electronics to find fish. This time of year, the most consistent bites are coming from offshore structure in 15–25 feet of water, with the southern end of the lake producing bigger fish. A recent trip south produced a 20 lb. bag, anchored by an 8 lb. bass.
Wind direction is playing a major role — fish the wind-blown banks, pockets, and ledges where bait is pushed in. Right before rain, the bite can be especially hot thanks to barometric pressure changes. Side scan sonar is critical for finding schools along creek and river ledges. While the upper lake tops out around 35 feet deep, some southern sections near Thomas Mill reach depths of 80+ feet, offering unique structure and depth changes.
Historically, Lake Eufaula earned the title “Big Bass Capital of the World” in the late ’70s and ’80s, aided by innovations like Tom Mann’s jelly worm and deep-diving crankbaits. While hydrilla is scarce now, the lake remains diverse and productive year-round.
Gear Spotlight: Graz’s 8 lb. fish was caught on a prototype LS Lures three-quarter-ounce football head jig in a custom skirt color he’s fished since the ’80s. The jig will be released soon in multiple sizes and swim jig variations. Carolina rigs also produced bites on this trip.
Mobile-Tensaw Delta Panfish & Crabbing Report – With Shannon Wood
Shannon reports that his bream tournaments wrapped up for the year, with Herman and Greg Rigby taking first place in the series. While summer heat reduced weights compared to spring, bluegill fishing remains productive — the bigger “bull” bream have moved to deeper water, often 5–6 feet, and are hitting both live crickets and flies.
Shannon’s recent fly trip produced 15–20 bluegill, with half taken on a pink foam popping bug paired with a bead-head dropper nymph, and the rest on crickets. He also experimented with white-and-hot-pink “Sam’s One Bug”-style poppers and thread-bodied nymphs with bead heads. The dropper patterns were tied simply — just thread, a gold bead, and minimal hackle — proving that “ugly” flies can catch plenty of fish.
In addition to panfish, Shannon has been targeting blue crabs in the rivers. Using chicken legs tied to a weighted line and a dip net, he boated 35 keeper crabs from 4–6 feet of water near the Causeway. Larger crabs are holding in deeper sections, while shallower areas produce more undersized catches.
