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Water temps varied the week from 59 to 64 deg after having been up to 70.
Air temps had been in the mid to high 70s the week previous with temps being mid 60s on arrival, 70 first day on water, dropping off to a high of 53 by day 4. Days 5 & 6 climbed to 73 and 69.
Water clarity was variable since AL had heavy rains leading up to the trip. Received sporadic rain on days 1 & 2. Ranged from heavily creamed coffee (read that zero) on the primary water to heavily stained (weak coffee, no cream) on the backwaters.
Water level was reportedly dropped 2' overnight for day 2 on the water. Winds were variably elevated day 2-6 with day 2 & 3 making for wet rides on the main river.
Major spawn had already taken place on this water with a full moon coming on day 6.
Overall, we had some "challenges" to work with.
A good pattern never was pinned down by any of the crew (5 boats). Crankbaits were the most productive although not consistent, primarily between 3 and 7 feet with nearby access to deeper water. Flippin jigs wasn't on. Various plastics had some limited success, to include t-rigged lizard and wacky worm. A c-rig worked specifically on migration routes didn't produce.
The 3 best fish weighed for our traveling trophy were 4-02 1/4, 4-10, and 5-03 1/2. The crew member with best week's sack for the other tt was 24 1/2#.
We all struggled the whole week while ranging from Florence to the Eufaula bridge (US 82). Stayed at the Lake Pointe State Park cabins (nice accommodations there).
We had better luck with the homemade beer in the evenings. It was a long enough trip (798 miles 1 way @ 14 1/2 hrs) for no more action than we managed. Still, I wasn't at work so it wasn't a total loss.
Air temps had been in the mid to high 70s the week previous with temps being mid 60s on arrival, 70 first day on water, dropping off to a high of 53 by day 4. Days 5 & 6 climbed to 73 and 69.
Water clarity was variable since AL had heavy rains leading up to the trip. Received sporadic rain on days 1 & 2. Ranged from heavily creamed coffee (read that zero) on the primary water to heavily stained (weak coffee, no cream) on the backwaters.
Water level was reportedly dropped 2' overnight for day 2 on the water. Winds were variably elevated day 2-6 with day 2 & 3 making for wet rides on the main river.
Major spawn had already taken place on this water with a full moon coming on day 6.
Overall, we had some "challenges" to work with.
A good pattern never was pinned down by any of the crew (5 boats). Crankbaits were the most productive although not consistent, primarily between 3 and 7 feet with nearby access to deeper water. Flippin jigs wasn't on. Various plastics had some limited success, to include t-rigged lizard and wacky worm. A c-rig worked specifically on migration routes didn't produce.
The 3 best fish weighed for our traveling trophy were 4-02 1/4, 4-10, and 5-03 1/2. The crew member with best week's sack for the other tt was 24 1/2#.
We all struggled the whole week while ranging from Florence to the Eufaula bridge (US 82). Stayed at the Lake Pointe State Park cabins (nice accommodations there).
We had better luck with the homemade beer in the evenings. It was a long enough trip (798 miles 1 way @ 14 1/2 hrs) for no more action than we managed. Still, I wasn't at work so it wasn't a total loss.