Dustin Connell’s spotted bass solution

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Spotted bass fishing success is boom or bust on current-driven fisheries like the Alabama River. Moving water keeps bass stationary and easy to find. Without current the fish scatter and are difficult to catch. 

Southern waterways managed for hydroelectric power generation show their ugly side when power needs are low. Such is the case on the Alabama River, site of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Allstate. 

The tournament field came here to partake of the river’s renowned fishing for spotted bass. Locals even call them “Alabama” spotted bass, although it’s not a recognized scientific term. 

Not everyone is leaving happy. The current isn’t flowing long enough to sustain an all-spotted bass pattern over the three-day event. An exception is tournament leader Dustin Connell. 

For the past 7 years, Connell, 25, has emerged as one of the hottest anglers in the area. His focus is spotted bass and he catches them with or without current. 

To prove it Connell led off the tournament with 22 pounds 3 ounces. His 14-8 bag Friday buoyed him to 36-11 overall and into first place. 

It hasn’t been easy. 

“I have a midday day bite so it takes grinding it out early and late in the day,” he said. 

The reason for the midday bite is what matters most when there’s no current to move the fish tight to bottom habitat.

 “It’s all about the sunshine,” he revealed. “Even without current it will help keep the fish from scattering.”

So far the sun hasn’t shined this week but Connell’s theory makes sense. The brighter light appeals to the predator instinct of the bass. In his case the fish targeted by Connell seek low-light areas to ambush bait fish. 

“The light pulls up more fish into shallow water,” he added. “So that makes them more active.”

Today the midday action almost didn’t happen. Connell had just two keepers in the boat at 10 a.m. A long run to R.F. Henry (Jones Bluff) Lock and Dam proved a bust. The water came up 3 feet and clarity diminished to mud. Experience gave him the motivation to make a move. 

Connell went into survival mode with a go-to solution for catching spotted bass in idle water.

“When you fish tournaments here you must have several back-up plans,” he said. “The fish aren’t as active but I know where to find them without the current.”

That’s a savvy move considering the other less reliable fallback. This fishery supports a viable largemouth population. Under normal circumstances, the largemouth make a logical solution. This week it’s not the case. Rising, muddy water has unsettled an otherwise tournament-winning strategy for spawning largemouth. 

On Saturday, current generation is on the schedule for Alabama Power Co. Even so, Connell knows better than to count on it with a tournament win on the line. No matter what happens he’ll be prepared. He’s been here before, current or not.