Catching fish proves great challenge in hot weather
By Ty Garrett

Hot, hot, hot means fishing is slow, slow, slow. But the fish have to eat day to day just like we do. During the summer months of July and August, the water temperature reaches its highest levels.
I’ve been fishing Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake and I’ve seen the surface temperature reach 88.6 degrees and that’s hot!
But there’s ways to catch these bass. One way is to start fishing at night. From approximately 6:30 p.m. to midnight, it depends on the moon phase. I seem to catch most of my fish where there is a new moon in just about total darkness. I fish long, tapering points, mostly gravel.
I use either a solid black 7” to 10” Gambler worm with a bullet weight 3/8 ounce to one half or Strike King 3/8 ounce Black and Red spinner bait with a number four Colorado Chrome Blade. Just throw the spinner bait close to where the point starts. Let it sink to the bottom and slow roll just enough to keep the blade turning. To know if you’re walking it correctly, you will feel the blade vibrating your rod. Tip: It will take practice and patience.
Also, in the daytime, if you can stand the heat in these summer months, fish a Carolina Rig worm or lizard off drops. What drops are, are river channels, anywhere from 8’ to 17’. The temperature is a lot cooler down there.

Cooler water
For instance, if you have ever jumped in a river or lake and you feel the water at or close to the bottom, you can feel a temperature change. That’s where the fish are. They are more comfortable in the cooler water and it’s just the opposite in the winter. Just try these few tips and your fishing will improve.
By the way, topwater bait is on in the Elk River and Wheeler Lake also. Just get in the water at sunup and throw a Rebel Pop-R and the Rapala Skitter Pop.
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Kountry Fishin’
By Ty Garrett

Warmer temperatures are coming early this year causing the water temperature to rise in the creeks of Giles County. These biting creek temperatures in the middle 50’s are making bass more active here in Giles County creeks, such as Richland Creek. This creek runs through Giles County and is known for its Large Mouth Bass and Kentucky Bass (also known as Spotted Bass).
I fish Richland regularly, and there are good quality bass in it. Smallmouth Bass weighing anywhere from one pound up to three and a half pounds are very abundant in Richland in certain areas of the county. Some days I’ve caught up to 25 bass in a day. These fish can be caught on small running crank baits or willow leaf spinner baits, such as Strike King or Hair Jigs 1/4 oz. in size, also.
You don’t have to travel far to catch good quality fish in Giles County. Have a safe fishing year!

P.S. Don’t forget to update your fishing license.
Kountry Fishin’
By Ty Garrett

Brian Holley and this writer caught these seven pound and six pound largemouth bass on Stuart King Buzz Bait last weekend on the Elk River.
We were in the boat in the hallow flats and used the tips that I described in last week's Kountry Fishin' to catch these two fine quality fish.
Kountry Fishin’ plans Jack and Jill bass tourney
By Ty Garrett

Kountry Fishin’s First Jack and Jill Bass Tournament will be held at the Lee High Boat Ramp in Rogersville, AL on the Elk River Sunday, April 16.
Plans are to make this an annual event.
There will be one man and one woman per boat, a five fish limit per boat and a 100 percent payback with 10 or fewer boats. With more than 10 boats, the tourney will pay first and second places.
The tournament will run from 6:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A $50 door prize will be donated by Carolyn and Ed Janes of Ed’s Furniture and Floor Covering Center, 363-3604.
For more information, contact Ty Garrett, 363-3161, days or Keith Riggin, 363-4871, days.
In other Kountry Fishin’ news, Johnny Baker and Charles Wright won first place in an outing sponsored by the Lawrenceburg Bass Fishermen’s Club with a winning weight of 15 pounds, six ounces. Baker also claimed the Big Bass Award with a five pound, three ounce largemouth bass in the tournament on Wheeler Lake near Decatur, AL.
Tony Prince’s name was drawn to represent the Lawrenceburg club in a top 150 Bassmasters Tournament in Decatur, May 10-12. Prince, of Pulaski, will fish in the amateur division and will be paired with one of the top pros in the circuit. Some of the pros on the circuit are: Roland Martin, Kevin Van Dam, Ken Cook and Rick Clunn.
All of us hope that Tony does well. The first place winner in the amateur division will get a fully rigged $20,000 Ranger Bass Boat.
Kountry Fishin’
By Ty Garrett

Ty Garrett and Jon Alsup hold two four and a half pound largemouth bass which they caught while fishing floodwaters in Giles County.
These fish were caught on one half ounce Strike King Spinner Bait in about four feet of stained water.
In February and March, you are supposed to catch the biggest Bass of your life.