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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, host Nick Williams kicks things off with a chat with angler Jason Bagala for an update on Smith Lake and Lake Guntersville. The guys talk about tricky, clear-water fall conditions, bait downsizing, and lure adjustments that helped trigger finicky bass. Later in the show, Peter Jordan joins to deliver a masterclass on building bass leaders for fly fishing—breaking down the differences between trout and bass leader setups, preferred materials, and practical tips for anglers looking to fine-tune their rigs.
Conditions Recap
Cool fall air is finally settling in across Alabama, making for more comfortable days on the water, though clear skies and bright sunlight are keeping fish skittish. Both Smith Lake and Guntersville are reporting crystal-clear water and finicky bites. Heavy tournament pressure on Guntersville added to the challenge, prompting many anglers, like Jason, to seek quieter waters. Baitfish schools are plentiful across both lakes, but bass are picky and easily spooked, often following baits without committing. Anglers should focus on reaction strikes and natural presentations in translucent colors under these bright, clear conditions.
Smith Lake & Lake Guntersville Report with Jason Bagala
Jason Bagala reports that both Smith Lake and Guntersville have been fishing tough, with ultra-clear water and high sun conditions making fish wary. On Smith Lake, downsizing and using translucent baits were key. Jason found success with the Megabass Karashi, a small, lipless jerkbait that can be worked just under the surface. “They’d chase it hard, but most of the time they’d just look at it,” he said, noting that fast, erratic retrieves to simulate fleeing baitfish were the best way to trigger bites.
He also caught a few fish on crankbaits in slightly stained water, working the banks for reaction strikes. Over at Guntersville, Jason reported heavy tournament traffic and similar “bluebird day” challenges. Brush hogs fished slowly along rocky banks and riprap produced some bites, along with chatterbaits and topwater walkers. Massive shad schools have the bass well-fed, making it harder to draw strikes on artificials.
Despite the slow bite, Jason emphasized that the cool fall weather makes for enjoyable days on the water. He also mentioned his Mutha Rippa Outdoors YouTube channel, where anglers can find footage of his recent Smith Lake trip.
Bass Fly Leader Masterclass with Peter Jordan
Peter Jordan joined Nick for an in-depth discussion on leader construction for bass fly fishing. Peter explained that most pre-packaged fly leaders are designed for trout and lack the stiffness to properly turn over larger bass flies. For bass, he recommends building custom leaders using heavier monofilament or fluorocarbon.
Peter shared his go-to formulas:
General Bass Leader (Topwater & Dry Flies): 25 lb butt section, 15 lb midsection, 10 lb tippet.
Streamers or Weighted Flies: 30 lb butt, 25 lb mid, 20 lb, and 16 lb tippet.
He advised that shorter leaders (around 7 feet) provide more casting accuracy, which is critical since bass strike zones are smaller and more cover-oriented than trout feeding lanes. For attachment, Peter prefers perfection loops at the butt, blood knots between sections, and non-slip loop knots for flies to allow better action.
He also discussed when to use fluorocarbon (for sinking and streamer presentations) versus monofilament (for floating and topwater work), and offered tips for managing abrasion, vegetation snags, and leader replacement on the water.
Peter wrapped up by reminding anglers that building leaders at home is easy and cost-effective, especially for those who already have various spools of line. “Do whatever is simplest,” he said. “There’s no wrong answer if it keeps you fishing.”
