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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, host Nick Williams catches up with Lee Pitts of Lee Pitts Guide Service and Justin Dunham of Eight Mile Drifter. The guys talk about how fall temperatures are affecting the bite across the Coosa River system and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, including where the crappie, bass, and panfish are holding. They also share some seasonal gear insights, from crappie jigs and vertical presentations to saltwater reel maintenance and winter fishing strategies.
Conditions Recap
Cooler weather is finally setting in across Alabama, with water temperatures dropping into the low 60s on the Coosa River chain. While the major fall feeding pattern seems slightly delayed, fish are transitioning toward their late-fall haunts. In north and central Alabama, anglers are seeing mixed results — with good size fish but lower numbers than usual. Meanwhile, in south Alabama, clear and stable weather has created comfortable fishing conditions ahead of the winter rains that typically swell the rivers by late December or January.
Crappie and Bass Report – Lee Pitts, Lee Pitts Guide Service
Capt. Lee Pitts of Lee Pitts Guide Service checked in from Weiss and Neely Henry lakes on the Coosa River. He reports that crappie fishing is steady but slightly behind schedule this year, with water temperatures hovering in the low 60s. The fish are holding a little deeper than normal — around 12 to 16 feet — along river and creek channels, particularly around submerged brush.
Lee says the Bobby Garland Itty Bit Slab Slayers and Baby Shads have been key baits, especially when presented vertically. Fall crappie prefer a smaller presentation, and anglers can expect to catch a few before the bite shuts down — but returning to the same brush pile later often produces again.
While Lee doesn’t currently use LiveScope, he relies on side imaging from his Humminbird units to locate fish and structure. He emphasizes that traditional techniques like long-line trolling remain effective, especially for guides who fish multiple clients at once.
Bass anglers on Weiss and Neely Henry are also seeing improved action as the water cools. Lee notes a solid fall pattern with spinnerbaits, squarebills, and topwater lures. Recent tournament weights have jumped from the high teens to low 20s as bigger fish move shallow with the falling water levels. “The Coosa bass love to get shallow,” Lee says. “If I’m not stirring up mud with my trolling motor, I’m probably not shallow enough.”
Looking ahead, he expects both the crappie and bass bites to improve through late November and into December as the main wave of fish moves in.
Lower Alabama Rivers Report – Justin Dunham, Eight Mile Drifter
Justin Dunham of Eight Mile Drifter joined the show from the lower Alabama Delta, where cooler temps have made for ideal fishing weather. Justin has focused mostly on freshwater lately — chasing bream, perch, and bass in small creeks and river bends before winter rains muddy things up.
He’s been targeting hard creek bends in 8–10 feet of water, jigging with Z-Man Shad FryZ on light jig heads. The bite has been steady, with quality perch over 10 inches coming from brushy areas. “You catch a few, then they shut off,” Justin explains, recommending anglers let a spot rest for 30 minutes before revisiting it.
A self-described “old-school” angler, Justin runs without electronics and relies on his knowledge of smaller backwaters like Jug Lake and Bayou Jessamine. He advises anglers to downsize their approach and move frequently when the bite slows.
When high winter water hits, Justin transitions to lower-delta creeks like Fowl River, Rock Creek, and Fly Creek, where the water stabilizes faster. These brackish areas often hold redfish and speckled trout through the winter. He reminds anglers that even light saltwater exposure can corrode reels — recommending a full rinse and light teardown after every saltwater trip to prevent damage, especially around the cast-control knob.
Anglers can follow Justin’s adventures and river reports on his YouTube channel, Eight Mile Drifter, where he shares both freshwater and inshore action across the Mobile Delta.
