Skip to main content

Take In Some Transitional Tailrace Triumph

Take In Some Transitional Tailrace Triumph

Wesley Gore’s not a random guy. You don’t qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series and finish third in Rookie of the Year points without direction and discipline.

That being said, the end of one year and the beginning of the next find the Clanton, Alabama, angler just kind of drifting. Casual, relaxed, going with the flow.

That could certainly describe someone kicking back and chilling during the off-season and, considering the demands of a pro angler’s lifestyle on and off the water, that would be completely understandable.

But this is not that.

Rather, Gore takes a very specific and measured approach to “drifting” baits in his favorite fall/winter scenario—a tailrace. Pointing out this scenario’s fish-magnet appeal, Gore shared a game plan that’ll deliver in any such scenario.

“My favorite period of time to fish tailraces is late fall and the transition into wintertime,” he said. “The fish are still active; they’re still not in the complete wintering mode, but they’re feeding up and a tailrace always has an abundance of shad.

“It’s a whole ecosystem; it has everything to sustain life for (multiple species) and a fish can carry out it’s entire life cycle, so there’s always fish within a mile of the dam.”

On the Coosa River where Gore cut his teeth, spotted bass typically comprise the largest chunk of the action, but largemouth, white, and striped bass add to the fun. Jump over to the Tennessee River, for example, and tailraces like the one behind the Wilson Dam also attract hefty smallmouth.

Why It’s Good

Noting that a tailrace offers year-round potential, he said this time of year finds the fish packing on the weight they’ll need to survive winter’s lean menu. Quantity’s never a problem, he said, but late fall through early winter sees an influx of quality fish.

“The numbers are always pretty plentiful because there’s moving water, but the biggest thing is that size increases this time of year,” he said. “When that water temperature is between 52 and 60 degrees, that’s optimal tailrace fishing. You can catch a lot of good ones and just a lot of fish in general.

“They’re really active; it’s not too cold for them. They’re gorging themselves during this time period.”

He said a cold night generally foretells good tailrace fishing because it stuns the shad and makes them vulnerable. With baitfish hovering close to the surface and drifting like leaves, bass enjoy easy pickings.

Recommended


He said January may bring cold fronts strong enough to drop the water temps below that preferred range, but until that happens, it’s game-on.

“There’s always a lull period when the fish go into winter patterns, but then the tailrace bite kicks back up with the prespawn,” he said. “When the shorter photoperiod tells the fish it’s time to transition to winter patterns, they’ll move to deeper structure where they don’t have to chase as much.

“They’ll reposition back up there right before they go spawn. There’s about a 6-week period, when the tailrace is not as active, but this time of year, it’s pretty wild.”

What They Like

If ever there was a match-the-hatch scenario, this is it—but not necessarily in the manner we typically apply to trout streams. See, it’s less about what you throw—although that does matter—but more about how you present it.

tailrace-triumph-02

In a sentence: Let the water do the work for you.

Gore’s tailrace arsenal comprises small swimbaits, small swimbaits, a 5-inch fluke style bait on a belly-weighted extra wide gap hook, a jighead minnow with a 4-inch fluke, and a 3/8- to 1/2-ounce Scrounger with a 4- to 5-inch fluke.

With any of these, he said it’s all about mimicking nature’s food delivery service. He calls “washing baits”—allowing his offerings to flow with the current on a taught line.

“I don’t reel baits in the tailrace, I throw them out at a 45-degree angle into the current,” he said. “I’m fishing shoals, depressions and rock veins that are at my 90 degrees, or actually right behind me. The fish can sit behind these spots and eat the shad as they drift past.”

Rules Of The Road

Obviously, you want to keep that PFD zipped or buckled up, as cooler weather and swift water hold potentials we’d rather not discuss. You know what mean, so first and foremost, stay safe.

Beyond that, he points out the wisdom of managing your presentations to minimize costly hang-ups. Suffice to say, most any tailrace you visit has collected enough tackle to fill a big box store.

Follow his advice and you’ll not only make a fish-tempting presentation, you’ll also avoid enhancing the subsurface collection.

“Obviously, you have to be a little more conscious of an open-hook bait, but most of the stuff you’re fishing is parallel to you or behind you, so you’ll sit above most of the stuff you’ll fish, so you can keep your bait in the zone whenever it gets to the spot.”

Reading the water is key, so Gore watches for the boils and rises that indicate the current breaks and eddies fish will use for efficient feeding. Deeper structure requires electronics, but he finds a lot of fishable targets with his eyes.

“If you can find these seams with your eyes, you want to position gradually above them so you can cut down on snags,” he said. “Your bait will float up off the bottom when you put tension on it, so your bait will be just above whatever you’re fishing.”




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Fishing

The Greatest Fishing Story Ever Told, Part 2 - Al Lindner: The Road to Hayward

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Fishing

The Greatest Fishing Story Ever Told, Part 1 - Mark Zona

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Destinations

IF In-Fisherman Storyline: The World's LARGEST Ice Fishing Tournament

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline: Stormy Stories with the Fascinating Craig Storms

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

BEST Cold-Weather Fishing Gear Tips: Keep Your Hands, Feet AND Tackle From Freezing

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

Being A Better Sportsman!!

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline AFTER HOURS: State of the Industry Going into Winter 2025

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Giant Snake River Sturgeon with Al Lindner

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Sturgeon on the Colombia River with Al Lindner

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Technical Carp Angling with Al Lindner

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Dan Sura Tackles GIANT Texas Alligator Gar

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange catches carp with European carp legends, and the group discusses similarities a...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: American Carp Tactics Vs. European

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the In-Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use