SHORELINES

8 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2016 Vol :4 "You can do this all during the year," he says, pointing to the spider rig. "But it really shines after the spawn." Fishing remains good throughout May as fish move from the recovery area to the deeper cover. But as hotter weather approaches, the fishing drops off. Summer algae blooms depress Weiss Lake's oxygen levels and that makes the fish lethargic, Collins says. "Cold weather months are better for crappie," Collins says. "They slow down during the summer." Fishing improves as the weather cools. October and November are almost as good as the spring fishing, Collins says. He continues to use spider rigs during the fall. Alabama Power draws the lake down 6 feet in winter for flood control. The drawdown starts at the beginning of September and the water usually reaches its lowest level by the end of December. It begins its return to full pool in January, is full by May and stays there through the end of August. Alabama Power, coordinating with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, works with local anglers during the spawn, Collins says. They let the company know when the spawn begins and the company holds the lake stable or allows it to rise slightly for two weeks. That helps ensure a healthy hatch of young fish, he says. Crappie seem to bite best on overcast days. Bluebird days are the toughest as fish hold tight to the shady side of cover. "I love to see snow," Collins says with a grin. "Every time I'm out there and it's snowing, the fish eat it up." Collins serves as president of the Weiss Lake Improvement Association, which is working to replace cover that is gradually lost as the lake ages. It has used Christmas trees in the past. Lately, the association has used bamboo stuck into concrete blocks in a fan shape. It lasts and provides good cover, Collins says. From Feb. 15 to April 30, the association holds the annual Weiss Lake Crappie Rodeo. Anglers pay $10 to enter. The association releases 1,000 tagged fish and the number on each tag corresponds to a prize. This year, 13 fish will be worth $10,000 apiece and the remaining 987 will have a total value of $50,000. Collins hopes that give anglers extra incentive to head out to the lake. For many people, a live well full of crappie is enough incentive. — ROBERT DEWITT Above: Photo by Billy Brown – A portion of the catch from a fishing excursion on Weiss Lake.

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