Feature Story

Logan Martin Lake Preview with Chip Bradley and Nick Harris

By Jason Duran

The Alabama Bass Trail South Division is making its third stop at Logan Martin Lake. This location previously hosted the ABT 100 event back in late January. Despite the starting temperature being as low as 8 degrees, the teams still managed to catch fish and the winning weight was over 17 pounds. This week, the weather forecast promises to be much better, with temperatures in the high 70s and sunny skies. This is a rare opportunity for the ABT to visit a location with such great weather. Both Chip Bradley and Nick Harris have reported that fishing conditions have been improving recently, and they are hoping that the sunny skies will make it even better.

When asked what the typical pattern is for this time of year, the team shared, “Normally, April is the month that bass tend to spawn in Alabama. Typically, teams can catch them in a foot of water and teams will even catch them out deep livescoping. This week, teams will be fishing all over the place. The fish are wanting to go shallower currently. The livescope bite may be a little tougher this weekend. Currently, the fish are in a couple different stages. The fish are in a couple different stages right now. There are fish that are still pulling up. There are fish that have possibly already spawned and fish still sitting out waiting to spawn when the water comes up.”

This weekend is shaping up to be a great time for fishing. The whole lake will be in play, but there are a few areas that are known to be particularly good, such as Choccolocco Creek, up and around the park, and teams fishing up around the dam may be successful. This event can be won from dam to dam this week. Teams looking to catch a lot of fish and earn a check will most likely be dragging a Shakey head or Carolina rig and can expect to catch around 12-14 pounds. These teams will find spots that are spawning as well as pre- and post-spawn spots. Teams looking to win will be using chatterbaits, jigs, and swimbaits. These teams will be powerfishing in 6 feet or less of water all day long, looking to catch 19-20 pounds. The team shared, “If the water level rises, it will change everything, and the fish will move up with the water. Teams that were fishing shallow in practice will find they have to go even more shallow when the water rises. Teams will also find fish in the slack current if the water rises as well.” This week there has been lots of rain move through the area. It will be interesting to see how teams catch this week.

“We fished a tournament here last week and finished 6^th with 15 pounds and we didn’t have any big ones. We could have had a better day, but it didn’t work out. The fish were in a lot of different places. We just didn’t catch a lot of fish.  The water temps last week were 65-66, but it is warming up more this week. Last week we had a few more cooler nights during the week. There were 90 boats last week, with lots of locals, and it took 20 pounds to win.” This week the ABT teams will have their chance to show even more of what Logan Martin produces.

Chip and Nick gave some advice to the teams who are visiting Logan Martin for the first time. They suggested that, “The teams should spend their practice time breaking down an area instead of fishing all over the lake. This is because there are areas on the lake where there are no fish, and teams may end up wasting time without finding the quality bites needed to do well.” Logan Martin is a lake with a lot of fish, but it's important to be productive and strategic during the practice time.

Blast Off & Weigh In is April 13, 2024 at Lincoln Landing, 740 Travis Drive, Lincoln, AL 35096. The Pre-Tournament Briefing was held via Facebook and YouTube on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. There is a replay available. 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 2024 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, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, Big Bite Baits and FishAlabama.org