Fishing Lake Guntersville in December: Big Bass, Crappie, and More on this Productive Freshwater Gem

If you're planning to hit Lake Guntersville today, December 12th, here's what you need to know:

First off, the sunrise is at 6:42 AM, and the sunset will be at 4:35 PM, giving you about 9 hours and 53 minutes of daylight[2].

The weather is cool, typical for this time of year, and December and January are known for some of the best fishing on the lake. There's no significant tidal movement to worry about since Lake Guntersville is a freshwater lake.

Fish activity is high, especially for bass. Yesterday, anglers were catching big groups of fish out on the creek ledges following bait, as well as a strong shallow bite. Tournament weights have been impressive, with anything less than 30 pounds having little chance of winning[1].

For bass, you can use a variety of lures. Ledge fishing with crankbaits or jigs can be productive, while a shallow bite might call for soft plastics or topwater baits. Crappie fishing is also good, with bridges, brushpiles, and bluffs being hot spots. For crappie, tightlining a 1/16 oz Bobby Garland in monkey milk or albino on 4lb test line with a medium action rod is a good approach[1].

Other fish species like sunfish and gar are also present. Sunfish can be targeted in shallower areas with live bait or soft plastic worms, while gar can be found around sunken debris and weeded beds using live bait like worms, frogs, or shiners[3].

Hot spots include the creek ledges, especially around the South Sauty Creek and North Sauty Creek areas. The bridges and brushpiles near the dam are also worth checking out for crappie and other species.

Overall, Lake Guntersville is fishing exceptionally well right now, with high numbers and decent sizes of fish being caught. So, grab your gear and get out there – it's a great time to be on the water.