Bassmasters Heading to Birmingham This Week!

The waters at Lay Lake open to Bassmaster Classic contestants for three days beginning Friday.

Did you know that Birmingham was voted “America’s Bass Capital” by readers of Bassmaster magazine?

The Magic City will be hosting the prestigious event for the seventh time since 1996. Highlights of the tournament are the daily weigh-ins at the BJCC when the 51 anglers present their catches of the day.

Weather won’t be a factor at the weigh-ins, but could affect the anglers. Friday looks like it will feature partly cloudy skies, light SE winds and highs in the 50s. Rain will be likely Saturday with temperatures in the 50s, falling during the afternoon. Sunday should be windy and cold with snow flurries.

Just what is good weather for fishing? Bo Crawford has a blog and podcast called The Armchair Anglers that can be found at https://armchairanglers.com.

He says these are the optimal fishing conditions for these competitors:

• AIR TEMP: This time of year the warmer the better. The water temperature is in the low 40s. Any air temp that raises the water temperature is an improvement. Obviously, three days with highs in the high 50s to low 60s would be optimal.
• SKY CONDITIONS: This time of year partly cloudy skies are the best. Some sunshine helps water temperatures to rise. Blue bird skies are generally bad because this is usually accompanied by a high pressure system. Other times of the year, cloudy can be best.
• RAIN: Rain won’t be bad for biting, as long as air temperatures are warmer than the lake temperatures.
• STREAMFLOWS: As far as streamflows, we want enough rain so that there is a steady current flow on the Coosa River, but not so much that the water becomes muddy. If we receive no rain between now and the start of the tournament we should be in good shape. You can check this site: https://lakes.alabamapower.com/, and check the current below Lay and Logan Martin Dams. Current flow in the 10 – 20 k CFS range is very fishable. Current in the 30k CFS range is too fast and is generally accompanied by muddy water.
• WIND: South or southwest winds are best. “Wind out of the South, bait in their mouth” This is because fishing can be best before an approaching storm system. There is definite evidence that Florida largemouth feed ferociously ahead of an approaching front.
• BAROMETER: Falling barometer is best.

Thanks Bo! Hopefully, the fish will be biting next weekend!

Fishing is like forecasting. Opinions count. What’s your experience?

Category: Pre-November 2010 Posts