Neely Henry

[unclebigred]

Hey guys I am looking for a little bit of help. I am going up to Gadsden to fish on Neely Henry next week. This is 2 weeks before the AL Bass Federation Championship up, hence my sudden urge and need to fish the lake. I fished it once as a non-boater, by the way that was my first ever ride in a Basscat. It was a Jaguar that flew, so I kept my eyes closed. Is it hard to navigate? Any prop breakers or potential causes to meet my insurance adjuster? Also, are there any fishing tips that one is willing to share? I am looking for any help.Thanks in advance.Phil WilliamsBay Minette, AL

[Basstar]

Phil, be VERY careful running that lake! There are several sections where the lake is wide and the channel itself is fine but just a few feet out of the channel is shallow water and wood or laydowns under the water.Get yourself a good lake map and FOLLOW THAT CHANNEL!This is a very good lake for fishing. You will catch several nice bass and a lot of keepers.I sent you an email with my phone number. Feel free to call for more fishing info.Have a blessed day!Alan JohnsonLou. KY

[oldtimer57]

also note that all these rivers are down a bit (some a good bit) due to the extreme lack of rain we are experiencing. This puts the bottom of your boat and your lower-unit at significant risk if you dont know the area well.be cautious.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

[Logan Martin Cat]

Phil, Neely Henry is currently at elev 505.11. APCO has projected it to be at 503.50 on or about Sept 12. Full pool is 508 winter level is 505. You can check the lake level and generation schedules by calling 1-800-525-3711 and follow the menu. On line at alabamapower.com, click on community/lakes recreation/lake info/lake conditions this will be a list of all APCO lakes with current levels as well as projected levels. As ot said be very carfull. There used to be a lot of standing timber that APCO cut below surface a few years back. I dont know how far below what level, hopefully some one who knows will respond. PS I will be heading your way in a couple hours. Orange Beach. Mackey Miles

[oldtimer57]

To get an ugly view of the timber, visit during the winter drawdown. The river lakes are always a bit lower, and APC cycles thru each section, drawing it down so that they can do their dam seepage test, and property owners can do dock repair. During that 1-2 weeks where a lake is at its minimum, a drive up and down the lake exposes stuff you never had any idea was there. Rocks 10 in diameter. Rock bluffs. Standing timber that is normally 1-2 below the water line (and which you see jet-skiers running 60mph+ over in the summer) and so forth.It is eye-opening and can make you re-think where/when you run at eye-watering speeds. The channels are generally pretty safe. But finding them is not easy unless you run em every day. I can probably run from Cedar creek to Logan Martin dam blindfolded, but it is a treacherous run for what looks like open and deep water is only 2 deep with an occasional wall/trestle just waiting to claim your lower unit and prop if not worse.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

[TexaBamaBass]

I will be on Neely this Saturday, check back with me for a report. Hope I dont tear my lower unit off!

[Anonymous]

City Ramp is about useless to launch from.

[oldtimer57]

tell you what…many ramps along the Coosa chain are having problems. Watched a guy launch a 25 cabin cruiser to take it for a test drive at Beeswax a few weeks back. Getting it back out turned into a nightmare as the trailer wheels would fall off the end of the ramp with that long trailer and deep draft hull. Couldnt pull it back out and ended up damaging the trailer in the process.Even small impounds/lakes are having problems. Small ones around my old home-town in South Mississippi are having problems with this same issue, not to mention water so shallow that once you launch, you cant move unless it is an aluminum boat…And it appears that it is not going to improve anytime soon. Army Corp says they are fixing to further reduce flow along Coosa/Tallapoosa chain in fear of a longer-term drought, which is going to make things get worse before they get better.My next bass boat might be a 4-wheeler from Polaris or something if this keeps up. 2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

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