Friday is the day on Lake Guntersville

Why it matters

The ratings track sunrise, sunset, the moon and the wind: days where a moon time lines up with low light and light wind rate best. Late fall at this latitude is a season of short, strong feeding windows. The ratings line up the moments fish naturally feed: the hours around sunrise and sunset, plus the moon's rise and set. When a moon event lands close to dawn or dusk the feeding window stretches and strengthens.

Lake Guntersville spreads over about 69,000 acres and roughly 949 miles of shoreline at full pool. It runs around 60 ft at its deepest.

The fish

On Lake Guntersville, largemouth bass are in a good mood. The 60s are a sweet spot: bass are active, roam widely and will chase moving baits. Then there are crappie, a solid pick. In the 60s crappie spread out over brush and docks in the 8 to 15 ft range.

Know before you go

• Go Friday, 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm: the best-rated bite day (good).
• Start at the point drop-off (4 to 16 ft) on the map: use spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge.
• Check the lake page the morning you go; temperature, level and wind update every day.

Where to start

The marked spot on Lake Guntersville is a point drop-off that covers 4 to 16 ft. The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed. It suits largemouth bass and crappie; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge.

DamDeepest water N 5 miles

204060Depth, ft Free spot todayPlace to stay

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