Nation Central Regional preview

TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional
Lake Guntersville – Guntersville, Ala.
April 17-19, 2019 

The spawn should be on at Guntersville during the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional. “It should be a pretty awesome event for sure,” Bassmaster Elite Series pro Scott Canterbury said. “There will be a lot of shallow fish starting to spawn.” The Alabama pro suggests the contenders should fish around the grass and concentrate on spawning bass.

Canterbury describes typical Guntersville spawning areas as sandy bottom mixed with hydrilla and milfoil. “A lot of fish will also spawn on offshore bars,” he said. “You won’t be able to see those fish, but you just have to fish those 4- to 6-foot deep grass edges.”

A smorgasbord of lures will produce during the regional. The contenders will be able to catch some prespawn bass on Rat-L-Traps and ChatterBaits in the grass or casting jigs on humps. For spawning bass, Canterbury recommends trying stickworms, plastic worms, plastic lizards and creature baits. “There will be a ton of ways to catch bass there,” Canterbury said. “Depending on the weather they may even be able to catch some on a spinnerbait up shallow.” He predicts throwing big swimbaits over offshore grass or around bridges will produce the biggest bags of the tournament.

Fishing should be good on the entire lake during the regional, according to Canterbury. “So there is a chance you can win it anywhere on that lake,” he said. Anglers who favor fishing dirty water can run up lake to Mud and Cow Creeks while those who prefer sight fishing for spawning bass can concentrate on the clear water in Honeycomb Creek and the dam area.

Predicted winning weight: 72 pounds.

Lake Facts

Forage base:  Threadfin and gizzard shad and bluegill.
Surface acreage: 69,000 acres.
Average depth: 15 feet.
Shoreline mileage:  949 miles.
Expected water clarity: 2 to 3 feet of visibility on the lower end and about 1 foot of visibility on the upper end.
Dominant structure/cover: Hydrilla, milfoil and eelgrass.