Gear & Tackle

Home / Alabama / Wheeler Lake

Lakes & Reservoirs

Wheeler Lake Fishing Guide

Alabama

A Tennessee River impoundment with ledges that hold bass and trophy blue catfish.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Wheeler Lake for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and blue catfish. The best months overall are Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov. In October, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Ned Rig and Bass Jig are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Supreme Bait & Tackle in Decatur, 8 mi away. Lake Guntersville is 54 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov

In October

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

What You'll Catch

Wheeler Lake Species

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Oct

Blue Catfish

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Nov to Mar

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

12 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Largemouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Bass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Largemouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.

    Shop This Lure

  • Bladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.

    Shop This Lure

  • Squarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Lipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.

    Shop This Lure

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass · Live shad or skipjack.

  • Cut Shad Chunk or fillet

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Blue Catfish · Fresh is best.

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Blue Catfish

Spin / Cast 7.5 to 8 ft medium-heavy casting rod, 5000 to 6500 levelwind reel, 30 to 50 lb line, 7/0 to 8/0 circle hooks.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Wheeler Lake

Soft Plastics

Yamamoto Senko 5 in

The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.

Check Price

Crankbaits

Strike King KVD 1.5 Squarebill

A shallow squarebill that deflects off wood and rock.

Check Price

Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo

A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.

Check Price

Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

Check Price

Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

Check Price

Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

Check Price

Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

Check Price

Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

Check Price

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Wheeler Lake

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Alabama · 54 mi

Lake Guntersville

Tennessee River impoundment with matted grass and big-bag tournament weights.

Largemouth bass · Crappie · Catfish

Lakes & Reservoirs · Tennessee · 67 mi

Pickwick Lake

A Tennessee River lake on the Alabama and Mississippi line famous for smallmouth.

Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Blue Catfish