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This week, host Nick Williams checks in with Josh Walden, Wayne Miller, and Lee Pitts for the latest on Alabama’s freshwater action. From spotted bass on the Coosa River to multi-species action in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and crappie heating up on northern lakes, anglers have plenty of opportunities this week.
Conditions Recap
Cooler mornings and shorter days are beginning to push Alabama’s lakes and rivers toward their fall transition. Water temperatures are dropping by as much as 10 degrees in some areas, sparking more activity in both bait and gamefish. River flows remain steady, with the Coosa at minimum flows during the week and higher recreational releases on weekends. Overall, clarity is good across most systems, and anglers should expect fishing to steadily improve as September progresses.
Coosa River Report with Josh Walden
New contributor Josh Walden, now guiding with East Alabama Fly Fishing, shares insights on the Coosa River below Jordan Dam. While the stretch is well-known for kayaking and recreation, it’s also home to quality spotted bass, catfish, drum, and occasional stripers.
Josh primarily targets spotted bass with fly gear, finding his best success on topwater patterns. He notes that while MFC poppers wear out quickly, he’s had better luck with Double Barrel Poppers and custom-tied “Dido” poppers. He recommends working these in eddies and current seams, as most strikes come within seconds of the fly landing.
As fall progresses, Josh expects fishing to remain steady at minimum flow levels, with some of the best action around islands, shoals, and eddy breaks. Anglers looking for stripers and big cats should focus closer to the dam, where heavy gear and bait setups dominate.
Mobile-Tensaw Delta Report with Wayne Miller
Veteran guide Wayne Miller reports excellent conditions on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Water temperatures have dropped nearly 10 degrees, now holding in the low 80s, and river clarity is excellent with a green tint typical of early fall.
The cooler water has triggered more aggressive feeding, especially as white shrimp push deep into the delta. Bass, redfish, and speckled trout are feeding heavily on shrimp, making shrimp-imitating lures the top choice. Wayne highlights the DOA Shrimp as his go-to, noting its versatility for drifting, popping cork rigs, or working current seams. While Vudu Shrimp and Gulp! Shrimp also produce, he stresses the DOA’s reliability.
Wayne fishes them on medium spinning tackle with braid and fluorocarbon leaders, adjusting weight depending on tide strength. Productive areas include grass edges, wood cover, and points with current breaks. With schools of fish stacking up, it’s possible to catch dozens from one spot when the bite is hot.
Crappie Report with Lee Pitts
Upstate, Lee Pitts of Lee Pitts Guide Service reports that water temps are hovering around 80–81 degrees, and fish are starting to relate more consistently to wood cover. Crappie remain deep for now, but they’re showing signs of schooling as fall approaches.
Lee is catching a mix of crappie, white bass, and catfish around brush and standing timber. He recommends downsizing presentations with Bobby Garland Itty Bit Slab Slayers and Itty Bit Mayflies, fished on 1/32- to 1/64-ounce jigs or drop-shot style rigs with light split shot. Even big fish can’t resist the tiny profile, making it a great finesse option when crappie are finicky.
As days shorten and water cools into the 70s, expect crappie to stack tighter on brush and deep docks. Lee recommends high-visibility line for detecting subtle bites and heavier 8–10 lb test when fishing thick wood cover.
