Guntersville Bass and Crappie: Winter Patterns, Lures, and Hot Spots

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Guntersville fishing report.

We’re sliding into that early winter pattern now. According to the National Weather Service for the Guntersville area, morning temps are starting out in the upper 30s to low 40s, warming into the 50s, with a light north to northwest breeze and high pressure settling in. Skies are mostly clear, so expect a bluebird day after a cool start. Sunrise is right around 6:40 a.m. local and sunset about 4:35 p.m., giving you a short but solid feeding window.

Guntersville’s a TVA impoundment, so instead of true tide you’re dealing with current. Tennessee Valley Authority’s release schedule shows moderate generation on the main river stretches today. That moving water around mid‑day lines up well with the solunar “good” rating posted for north Alabama, with major activity in the early afternoon and a minor push right after daybreak.

Bass activity has tightened up to winter haunts. Local guides have been reporting decent numbers of 2‑ to 4‑pound largemouth with an occasional 6‑plus coming off channel edges and remaining grass on the river ledge side. Major League Fishing pros who call Guntersville home note that in winter they lean hard on offshore ledges, shell beds, and the outside edge of hydrilla with slower presentations and reaction baits close to the bottom.

Best lures right now:
- **Alabama rig** with small shad swimbaits, especially over 8–15 feet on ledges and around bridge pylons; MLF coverage has repeatedly highlighted the A‑rig as a cold‑water money maker on TVA lakes.
- **Lipless crankbaits** in 1/2 to 3/4 ounce, red or gold craw patterns, burned and yo‑yoed over dying grass.
- **Football jig or free‑rigged creature bait** on shell bars and channel swings; Guntersville locals often swap a shaky head for a free rig offshore this time of year for a more natural fall.
- **Finesse follow‑ups** like a Ned rig or drop‑shot for when the bite gets pressured; Kevin VanDam has pointed out how those cleanup baits shine once you’ve already combed through a spot with power techniques.

Crappie fishing has been quietly strong. Recent videos from Guntersville crappie anglers show limits coming on small plastics tipped with scent gels, worked over brush piles in 10–18 feet. Think 1/16‑ounce jigs, natural shad and monkey‑milk colors under a slow, steady retrieve or a pendulum fall.

As for bait, it’s hard to beat **live shiners** or **threadfin shad** for both bass and crappie when the water cools off. Slow‑trolling or vertical‑dipping minnows over brush and docks is putting steady slabs in the box.

A couple of local hot spots to consider:
- The **Seibold Creek** area: outside grass lines near the creek channel and secondary points are holding both bass and crappie.
- The **BB Comer Bridge / Town Creek** stretch: current breaks on the main river, bridge pilings, and nearby ledges are classic winter staging areas.

Plan to fish slower than you think you need to, key on that mid‑day current, and let those fish come to you.

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