Sky high at Guntersville

Guntersville resident and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle put his new Phoenix on the lake to give us a first-hand look at the official Classic waters.
Guntersville resident and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle put his new Phoenix on the lake to give us a first-hand look at the official Classic waters.
With his Humminbirds cued up with Lakemaster mapping, we headed out with a goal to put the Bassmaster drone up and dodge a few raindrops while gathering lots of killer aerial photography of the legendary lake.
With his Humminbirds cued up with Lakemaster mapping, we headed out with a goal to put the Bassmaster drone up and dodge a few raindrops while gathering lots of killer aerial photography of the legendary lake.
We headed out of the Seibold boatramp headed to the State Park in Town Creek.
We headed out of the Seibold boatramp headed to the State Park in Town Creek.
With the lake off limits for the Classic competitors, Swindle was more than happy to share some of the top spots on his home lake that he feels will be players during the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on March 6-8.
With the lake off limits for the Classic competitors, Swindle was more than happy to share some of the top spots on his home lake that he feels will be players during the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on March 6-8.
Heading out of Seibold and directly towards the State Park, you can see an obvious mud line along the main river channel as it spills into Town Creek.
Heading out of Seibold and directly towards the State Park, you can see an obvious mud line along the main river channel as it spills into Town Creek.
Here's a closer look at the mud line.
Here’s a closer look at the mud line.
You can see the main facility of the State Park at the top of the hill, and the RV park and boat ramp at the base of the hill.
You can see the main facility of the State Park at the top of the hill, and the RV park and boat ramp at the base of the hill.
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Looking to the left of the State Park is Town Creek, a very popular location where lots of heavy bags have been produced. Town Creek proper extends up and to the right in this image.
Looking to the left of the State Park is Town Creek, a very popular location where lots of heavy bags have been produced. Town Creek proper extends up and to the right in this image.
In this photo you can see the main lake moving to the northeast on the other side of the land mass, and the main water you are seeing is the western edge of Town Creek before it dumps into the main river.
In this photo you can see the main lake moving to the northeast on the other side of the land mass, and the main water you are seeing is the western edge of Town Creek before it dumps into the main river.
This is a look back into Seibold from Town Creek.
This is a look back into Seibold from Town Creek.
A little closer look at Seibold, an area that will certainly be in play during the Classic.
A little closer look at Seibold, an area that will certainly be in play during the Classic.
This view is looking directly up river towards Goose Pond. This stretch of river offers some fine ledge fishing during the early summer.
This view is looking directly up river towards Goose Pond. This stretch of river offers some fine ledge fishing during the early summer.
Here's a look down river towards Guntersville proper.
Here’s a look down river towards Guntersville proper.
With the excessive rain the region has been receiving lately, you can see the mud moving down the river. The creeks naturally clear out sooner, and will offer plenty of options for the anglers who prefer to avoid the mud. With the incoming forecast, the Tennessee River will likely still hold some color, but it will be in better shape during Classic week than it appears in this image.
With the excessive rain the region has been receiving lately, you can see the mud moving down the river. The creeks naturally clear out sooner, and will offer plenty of options for the anglers who prefer to avoid the mud. With the incoming forecast, the Tennessee River will likely still hold some color, but it will be in better shape during Classic week than it appears in this image.
This view is looking up river from a position very near the 431 bridge.
This view is looking up river from a position very near the 431 bridge.
The mouth of Spring Creek runs adjacent to Guntersville, and has a lot of Classic history.
The mouth of Spring Creek runs adjacent to Guntersville, and has a lot of Classic history.
Polecat Creek is a secondary creek inside of Spring Creek. Lots of big fish have been caught here.
Polecat Creek is a secondary creek inside of Spring Creek. Lots of big fish have been caught here.
Looking back into Spring Creek there are two bridges that get a tremendous amount of attention — and for good reason.
Looking back into Spring Creek there are two bridges that get a tremendous amount of attention — and for good reason.
Opposite of the previous image, you can see the 431 Bridge that crosses directly over the river channel, behind it is a very popular area known as Alreds.
Opposite of the previous image, you can see the 431 Bridge that crosses directly over the river channel, behind it is a very popular area known as Alreds.
You can still see the impressive mud line along the channel as it flows beneath the 431 Bridge.
You can still see the impressive mud line along the channel as it flows beneath the 431 Bridge.
Here's a look at the town of Guntersville, almost on an island. A beautiful fishing community.
Here’s a look at the town of Guntersville, almost on an island. A beautiful fishing community.
Another look at where the 431 bridge leaves town.
Another look at where the 431 bridge leaves town.
To advance deeper into Spring Creek, an angler will need to slide beneath one bridge to get to the second one. A rather famous place.
To advance deeper into Spring Creek, an angler will need to slide beneath one bridge to get to the second one. A rather famous place.
This is the bridge where Randy Howell won his most prestigious title, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
This is the bridge where Randy Howell won his most prestigious title, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
Here's a close look at the bridge where Howell did his damage.
Here’s a close look at the bridge where Howell did his damage.
More of Guntersville to the right.
More of Guntersville to the right.
And more to the left.
And more to the left.
Here's a cool shot of one of the more popular restaurants in Guntersville, Top O' The River. There's a seafood sampler entrée for two that's to die for.
Here’s a cool shot of one of the more popular restaurants in Guntersville, Top O’ The River. There’s a seafood sampler entrée for two that’s to die for.
Moving on down river.
Moving on down river.
This section of the lake is also very popular. Known as Alreds to local anglers, this group of islands offers anglers a mix of shoreline structure and offshore eelgrass, appealing to many a tactic.
This section of the lake is also very popular. Known as Alreds to local anglers, this group of islands offers anglers a mix of shoreline structure and offshore eelgrass, appealing to many a tactic.
Here's a closer look at one such island. Can the tournament be won here in early March? Swindle says,
Here’s a closer look at one such island. Can the tournament be won here in early March? Swindle says, “Absolutely, it could.”
Looking on from Alreds, you can see the mouth of Browns Creek, another popular destination for bass anglers.
Looking on from Alreds, you can see the mouth of Browns Creek, another popular destination for bass anglers.
Turning to look down river, in the direction of Guntersville Dam you'll find lots of interesting fish-holding structures.
Turning to look down river, in the direction of Guntersville Dam you’ll find lots of interesting fish-holding structures.
Before heading down river, here is a look back to the northeast. That's Seibold beyond that airstrip.
Before heading down river, here is a look back to the northeast. That’s Seibold beyond that airstrip.
Swindle cranks his Mercury 250, and we drive on.
Swindle cranks his Mercury 250, and we drive on.
Along the way, he points out spot after spot where he's
Along the way, he points out spot after spot where he’s “caught ’em.” This lake is full of spots worth fishing. He said, “If it looks good, stop and fish it.”
Moving down lake around a big bend before the lake stretches out before dumping through the dam, here's a look back up the lake, and you can see Browns Creek on the top right.
Moving down lake around a big bend before the lake stretches out before dumping through the dam, here’s a look back up the lake, and you can see Browns Creek on the top right.
This view is directly opposite of Honeycomb Creek — the last big creek arm before the dam.
This view is directly opposite of Honeycomb Creek — the last big creek arm before the dam.
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The mouth of Honeycomb.
The mouth of Honeycomb.
This is the view up into Honeycomb.
This is the view up into Honeycomb.
If you look carefully, you can see Guntersville Dam in the distance where it dumps into Wheeler Lake. After Wheeler it becomes Wilson, then Pickwick before finally dumping into Kentucky Lake.
If you look carefully, you can see Guntersville Dam in the distance where it dumps into Wheeler Lake. After Wheeler it becomes Wilson, then Pickwick before finally dumping into Kentucky Lake.
Headed back up the lake now, here is a look at the bridge across Browns Creek.
Headed back up the lake now, here is a look at the bridge across Browns Creek.
The opposite view in the direction of the dam.
The opposite view in the direction of the dam.
To the left is the town of Guntersville, and Civitan Park, which is where the anglers will be taking off each morning-- this is where you'll want to experience the excitement of a Classic takeoff. If you'll look closely you'll see a boat ramp near the road, where competitors will put their boats in the water.
To the left is the town of Guntersville, and Civitan Park, which is where the anglers will be taking off each morning– this is where you’ll want to experience the excitement of a Classic takeoff. If you’ll look closely you’ll see a boat ramp near the road, where competitors will put their boats in the water.
Now, after a 20-minute boat ride, this view is of famous Goose Pond, which is where the Elite event went out of last June. Pro Jamie Hartman won that event.
Now, after a 20-minute boat ride, this view is of famous Goose Pond, which is where the Elite event went out of last June. Pro Jamie Hartman won that event.
Here's a look at the area known as Goose Pond, and the golf course. Matt Herren enjoyed a very solid Top 10 fishing that water directly adjacent to the golf course.
Here’s a look at the area known as Goose Pond, and the golf course. Matt Herren enjoyed a very solid Top 10 fishing that water directly adjacent to the golf course.
Another look at the marina. To the north is North Sauty, a target-rich environment when the mat bite is on.
Another look at the marina. To the north is North Sauty, a target-rich environment when the mat bite is on.
Here's another look at the Goose Pond marina from the opposite direction.
Here’s another look at the Goose Pond marina from the opposite direction.
The water is indeed a little turbid due to excessive rainfall as of late, but there's still lots of reason to stop and fish the visible grass.
The water is indeed a little turbid due to excessive rainfall as of late, but there’s still lots of reason to stop and fish the visible grass.
Several boats in the area are not scared of mud.
Several boats in the area are not scared of mud.
While there are miles of
While there are miles of “Lake Guntersville” to the upstream side, yet, the lake really turns riverine from this point on.
Directly ahead in this image is the main river channel. Also a popular area for ledge fishermen when that bite turns on. On the top right is South Sauty.
Directly ahead in this image is the main river channel. Also a popular area for ledge fishermen when that bite turns on. On the top right is South Sauty.
A closer look into North Sauty.
A closer look into North Sauty.
And another look at South Sauty. That concludes our tour, and yes, there are many spots worth fishing in between that will certainly get more attention during the Classic, but Swindle wasn't going to give away all of his money spots. Thanks, G!
And another look at South Sauty. That concludes our tour, and yes, there are many spots worth fishing in between that will certainly get more attention during the Classic, but Swindle wasn’t going to give away all of his money spots. Thanks, G!