By Jason Duran
This week, the Alabama Bass Trail South Division kicks off at Lake Martin in Alexander City. Anglers are gearing up for an exciting tournament that may hinge on strategy, precision, and timing. One team to watch is the dynamic duo of Steve Winslett and Rob Lee. They have a strong track record at this venue, having won tournaments in both 2023 and 2018. Winslett and Lee have consistently performed well, as evidenced by their first-place finish in Anglers of the Year (AOY) in 2023 and a second-place finish in AOY in 2024. They have also achieved numerous top-five finishes in the Alabama Bass Trail. As locals of Lake Martin, they have a deep understanding of the lake’s seasonal patterns. Both anglers are excited about this event and are ready to leverage their strengths in hopes of claiming the first-place prize of $15,000 at Lake Martin.
The team shared, “Depending on which area of the lake teams fish, they will encounter varying patterns from wintertime to pre-spawn to full spawn. The lake conditions are quite mixed right now, with chocolate milk mud, partial stain, and super clear water all present. We are expecting more rain this week as a cold front moves in. Lake Martin is fishing just like it typically does in February; anglers need to identify the pattern on the day of the event, as it changes constantly.”
Steve mentioned, “On Friday, I fished and could have brought in 18 pounds, but on Saturday, during the event, we only managed 9 pounds. When the fish decide to move up, they can do so at any moment. If you’re present when they move, they’ll bite really well.”
There will likely be many limits weighed in at this event. “Catching a limit of 8-9 pounds is easy, but to win, you need to have a mix of larger fish, like a 3-pounder and a 4-pounder. The tournament will likely be won fishing shallow.”
Teams may find some areas of the lake more challenging for getting bites. “The bigger spotted bass are difficult to catch when they are on bed. It’s not like the other lakes in the Coosa River chain; when those fish go on bed, they are easier to catch. We believe many of the spotted bass are locked down on beds right now, which is why we haven’t seen many caught in recent weeks, even though there have been many bags with largemouth. The water temperature is currently 54-56 degrees. This lake is also known for pushing the largemouth up when the temperatures drop, as they are this week. The water level rose about 3 feet recently and should remain stable this week with the rain coming, which should help improve the fishing conditions.”
“This weekend, we will be using four key baits: a jig, a chatterbait, a crankbait, and a spinnerbait. Our target weight for the tournament will be between 16 and 18 pounds. Teams that catch a big largemouth may be able to exceed the 18-pound target weight and win the event.”
“We suggest that teams look for fish staging near the bedding areas, as they should be moving up and becoming more active. For those who are new to Lake Martin, success can be found by fishing in shallow waters around natural structures, such as rock points, using a square bill crankbait.”
Historically, spotted bass are the primary target for most anglers, particularly as they start preparing for the upcoming spawn. These fish tend to be more concentrated in mid-depth zones, usually around 10 to 20 feet deep, often near points or creek channels. Spotted bass are known for their aggressive behavior and can be more predictable in terms of location when using the right baits.
In contrast, largemouth bass can be more spread out, especially as they remain in deeper waters before fully transitioning to shallow spawning areas. Largemouth bass tend to bite less aggressively than spotted bass at this time of year, making them more challenging to locate. However, with the right strategy and bait, they can still be a viable target.
The weather forecast for Saturday is expected to be relatively warm after a cold front earlier in the week. Morning temperatures will start at 34 degrees and rise to nearly 60 during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and light winds coming from the southeast at 5 to 10 mph. The rising temperatures and calm conditions are likely to keep the bass active throughout the day. Teams with a later boat draw may find that the fish are more likely to bite in the last few hours..
Registration & Check In is February 21, 2025 at Betty Carol Graham Center, 1675 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Check In: 4:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. followed by the Pre-Tournament Meeting: Everyone seated by 6:30 P.M.
Launch & Weigh In: February 22, 2025 at Wind Creek State Park, 4325 AL-128, Alexander City, AL 35010
All friends and family are welcome to attend this event. Bring lawn chairs and see some of the best bass teams in the country cross the stage. Everyone can watch the live weigh-in and over 4 hours of on-the-water live coverage on the ABT Facebook page, YouTube, and the ABT website.
The 2025 Alabama Bass Trail Sponsors Include: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Landers – McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw – Webb Chevrolet, Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Lew’s, Strike King, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, American Baitworks, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.
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