Jordan Lake

Jordan Lake is the sixth lake, of six man made impoundment's, found on Alabama's Coosa River System. Jordan Dam, on the lakes lower end, was completed by the Corps of Engineers in 1928 and is now maintained by Alabama Power Company. Jordan Lake also features Walter Bouldin Dam, built in 1967. Jordan Lake is the smallest lake on the Coosa River system, with only 18 1/2 navigable miles. It drains into the Alabama River, near Montgomery.

From the river-like terrain, found at the first ten miles of the lakes headwaters, (situated just below Mitchell Lake dam) to the lakes lower end, where the lake widens, Jordan Lake features many characteristics. This includes some of the biggest Spotted Bass species found on the Coosa River system.

Jordan Lake features plenty of largemouth action as well. Largemouth bass are found throughout its 188 miles of irregular shoreline. This consists of many types of aquatic weeds, rocky banks and boulders scattered along deep, rock bluffs and loads of wood cover.

Although Jordan Lake is situated near Montgomery, the capitol of Alabama, the lake receives little fishing pressure when temperatures soar. Whether an angler chooses to day or night fish Jordan Lake this summer, expect little company, but lots of bass fishing action.

DAYTIME BASS FISHING JORDAN LAKE

Summer, in Alabama, can stretch from June on into September. During this four month period, little changes, in terms of weather. It just keeps getting hotter. Mid-to-upper 90's are common daytime temperatures. The Largemouth Bass and Coosa River Spotted Bass of Jordan Lake, can be found in various locations and actually get in a set pattern during this four month period.

Both bass species can be found, by the astute angler, in predictable locations on a weekly basis, throughout the entire summer. At the lakes headwaters, the first mile features rocky, boulder-strewn tailraces, below upper Mitchell Lake Dam. Not hazardous for boating, but an excellent spot for dragging bottom-bumping lures in the current.

During the week (and occasionally on weekends), the need for water generation creates a feeding urge among the lakes inhabitants, found in these rocky, lake headwaters. Here, anglers can fish with bottom-bumping worms. Gene Larew's salt impregnated lures, feature all sizes of worms and soft plastics.

Their 4.5 inch "Mega Ring Shad" in colors of Black Neon/Chartreuse Tail, Tequila Sunrise, Green Pumpkin, Pumpkinseed and Junebug, are favorites of the often picky, spotted bass, found in huge schools, in these rocky, lake headwaters.

Fish these paddle tail, ring-type bodied worms, on a jig head or try using bullet weights in the 3/8 to 1/2 size. Gamakatsu offset shank worm hooks, in the 1/0 to 3/0 sizes, should be experimented with, to determine the best hook choice. Monofilament line in the 10-14 pound test, allows a better feel when fishing in the often, swift current found in these lakes headwaters.

Other soft plastic lures (these Jordan Lake bass are known for selecting) offered by Gene Larew, is their 4.5 inch "Hoodaddy" original 6 inch soft plastic lure, featuring four trailing appendages. Also new in their soft plastic lure line up is the "Hoodaddy Jr." a smaller version, only 4.5 inches in length.

With clear-to-lightly stained water, found throughout the summer months in these lake headwaters, natural lure colors are more prone to fooling a wise old bass into striking. Try both "Hoodaddy" versions in colors of Black Blue, Black Neon, Pumpkinseed, Watermelon Pepper, Red Shad and Junebug.

A summer daytime outing on Jordan Lake would not be complete without fishing some crankbaits. A new line up of crankbaits are offered by Spro Lures (www.SPRO.com). Their slow rising, "Crankbait 25" Series, come in an array of fish catching colors. Try Baby Bass, Blue Gill, Fire Tiger, Shad, Silver blue/back or Silver black/back.

These shallow running crankbaits will dive 5-7 feet deep on 10-12 pound test monfilament line. They are excellent crankbait choices for shallow-feeding bass around Jordan Lakes rocky banks, points, creek mouths and eddy areas. Going deeper, may call for the use of Spro's "Crankbait 65" series in the aforementioned colors. These big lipped, deep diving crankbaits run in the 10-12 foot range, when fished on 10-12 pound test monofilament line.

Spro's hard bodied jerkbaits titled, "Minnow 45 and Minnow 65 series" simulate the baitfish both Spotted bass and Largemouth bass feed on in Jordan Lake. Try both versions on 12-14 pound test monofilament line. Select colors of Perch, Shad, Fire Tiger and Silver/Blue Back and Silver/Black Back.

NIGHTTIME BASS FISHING JORDAN LAKE

Although many anglers cannot relate to it, night fishing does offer less, "on the water company" than daytime fishing. It is also much cooler at night and often shows much more active fish. The same bottom bumping lures mentioned for daytime use on Jordan Lake, are good choices during the hours of darkness. Choosing darker colors of Black Neon, Firetiger, Purple and Green Pumpkin, may be needed to aid the bass in seeing your lures.

Fishing these lures around lighted areas call for targeting piers, boat houses, marinas, bridges, culverts, the dam area and lighted causeways. Big Largemouth's are on the prowl at night and many prefer a mouthful, when it comes to a midnight snack. This can call for fishing with bigger than average worms, jig combos, lizards or tube baits, usually in darker colors for night fishing.

Sizmic Lures (.com) offers their 10 inch "Swimmer Series" worms in colors of Black, Blue Shad, Green Pumpkin, Olive Red and Red Shad. Sizmic Lures makes a more slender, straight-tailed worm, in lengths of 8 inches titled, "The Shaker Series" worm. It comes in the same colors as the "Swimmer Series" worm and is a great choice for night fishing on bottom. These are just a few of the lures, locations and techniques for summer fishing. Discover a few of your own, whether you choose to day or night fish, Alabama's Jordan Lake.