GADSDEN, Ala. – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Bama Division is heading to Neely Henry Lake on July 18. The weather leading up to the event should have the bass firmly in a summertime pattern. The Coosa River impoundment has been fishing phenomenally in recent months, including some eye-popping weights in regional team events, and that has anglers excited for this upcoming BFL.
What to expect
Last June, Austin Shields won the BFL on Neely Henry, which was also the fourth event of the season for the Bama Division. This year’s edition is later in the calendar but should offer similar conditions given this spring’s weather, according to Shields.
“We’ve had so much rain this year that the water temperatures have been relatively cool, but the extended forecast shows it’s going to be warm and dry, so the water should heat back up to how it normally is this time of year,” he said. “That will have the fish in the typical summertime stuff, and I don’t expect to see a lot of giant bags. I expect it to be tough like last year, but the fishing should be predictable.”
By predictable, he means the bite that Neely and other Coosa River lakes are known for.
“Neely is famous for the shallow bite that’s always happened, fishing the main river grass,” he said. “On the lower end, there will probably be a cranking bite, and I’m sure there will be some people down there ‘Scoping around, but that’s not my style. It’s going to be a typical summertime grinder, and it may be one of those days where you only get a handful of bites, but when you do, they will be solid ones.”
One wild card to watch for is any rain in the days leading up to the event, as that could flip the switch and turn the bass on in a hurry.
“The lake may shock me if we get some rain; if it does, I expect it to take a lot more weight to win and get paid,” he said. “That would cool the water off, dirty it up and get them active and feeding.”
Baits to bring
For the shallow bite, Shields says a crankbait and swim jig will be must-haves.
“I’d also have something to flip, probably a Texas rig with some sort of creature bait,” he added.
What will it take?
At an early June Alabama Bass Trail event on Neely Henry, it took over 30 pounds to win, and two other teams eclipsed 20 pounds. That had the region buzzing, but Shields thinks the weights will likely be much lower for this BFL. He expects the winning mark to be similar to his June victory last year, when he had 15-4 to edge Hunter Hayes by 2 ounces.
“I don’t expect to see a lot of 20-pound bags or anything like that, and 15 to 17 pounds could win this thing,” he said. “I think 12 to 13 pounds is a good above-average weight that will get you paid, unless we get some heavy rains from now until then.”