Anglers on the Lake over the weekend had to battle a number of issues to come up with a good stringer of fish. The Lake is above normal for this date at only 3 feet 8 inches below the full mark. Lake conditions are less than perfect with many areas either muddy or dingy from rain and wind. The wind at 12-17mph hindered also in addition to the cold temperatures. The water surface temp was 43-45 degrees.
Crappie anglers experienced a slow bite, for the most part. Whether they were trolling, casting jigs or flies under a cork, or fishing minnows on the bottom, the results were the same with smaller stringers of keeping crappies. Some anglers had two, five, ten or fifteen. On Sunday, one angler come out with 53 keepers which was one of the largest catches of the day.
Bass anglers on the lake battled the same conditions but with some nice results. A tournament hosted out of Little River Marina posted a winning stringer of 16+ pounds with a five fish limit. Anglers were using jigs and crankbaits to get their catch.
The Weiss Lake Improvement Association kicks off their Crappie Rodeo today through April 30 with 1,000 tagged crappies ready to be caught. The prizes range from $50 to $1,000. Anglers who want to be able to claim a prize if they catch a tagged crappie must have purchased a “Bounty Badge” prior to catching the tagged fish. The price for the Badge is only $10 for the entire Rodeo Time through April, which also is good for an annual membership to the WLIA. The 2016 tag on the crappies is blue and will be found behind the fin on the back of the fish. Below are the rules and locations of merchants participating in the Crappie Rodeo and where to check in the tagged fish when caught to claim the prize.
Crappie Rodeo Rules
1. All tagged fish must be checked-in alive and with tag in place. DO NOT REMOVE TAG!
2. You must have in your possession a current Rodeo Badge at the time of the catch. Awards & prizes are not transferable.
3. All fish must be caught with pole or rod & reel during tournament time.
4. You must obey all State Fish & Game Laws.
5. You must be willing to take a polygraph test if requested by Tournament Director.
6. All decisions of Tournament Director are final.
Check-In Locations for caught and tagged fish.
Bay Springs Marina 145 County Road 379, Centre, AL 256-975-3039
Bay Springs Country Inn 130 County Road 112, Centre, AL 256-927-3618
Big Oak Campgrounds 830 County Road 732, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-526-8723
Glenda’s at Cowan Creek 5330 Conty Road 22, Centre, AL 256-475-3670
Harton’s Grocery 2205 ALA Hwy 68, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-779-6680
Little River Marina and Lodge 1780 County Road 102, Cedar Bluff, 256-779-6461
Coosa Corners 5770 Weiss Lake Blvd, Leesburg, AL 256-526-7800
Weiss Lake Lodge 998 Cedar Bluff Rd, Centre, AL 256-927-1501
Weiss Mart Marina 3480 AL Hwy 9, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-779-3474
Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp 3595 Al Hwy 273, Leesburg, AL 256-526-8427
Purchase Crappie Rodeo Badges
Bay Springs Marina 145 County Road 379, Centre, AL 256-975-3039
Bay Springs Country Inn 130 County Road 112, Centre, AL 256-927-3618
Big Oak Campgrounds 830 County Road 732, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-526-8723
Glenda’s at Cowan Creek 5330 Conty Road 22, Centre, AL 256-475-3670
Harton’s Grocery 2205 ALA Hwy 68, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-779-6680
Little River Marina and Lodge 1780 County Road 102, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-779-6461
Coosa Corners 5770 Weiss Lake Blvd, Leesburg, AL 256-526-7800
Piggly Wiggly of Cedar Bluff 380 AL Hwy 9, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-779-6284
Walmart 950 West Main Street, Centre, AL 256-927-9900
Weiss Lake Lodge 998 Cedar Bluff Road, Centre, AL 256-927-1501
Weiss Mart Marina 3480 AL Hwy 9, Cedar Bluff, AL 256-779-3474
Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp 3595 Al Hwy 273, Leesburg, AL 256-526-8427
LISTEN LIVE TO THE WEISS LAKE FISHING REPORT EACH MORNING AT 6:45 CENTRAL TIME, MON-SAT, ON 100.5 FM, 9-90 AM, ONLINE AT WWW.WEISRADIO.COM OR YOU CAN DOWNLOAD OUR WEIS RADIO APP FOR YOUR APPLE OR ANDROID DEVICE.