This clear water has shown plenny of Talapia bedding in sandy water 3 to 5 feet deep here on Lake Seminole.

The apple snails have moved into Mobile Bay and are causing those folks over there a heap of grief so I hear. They may have a grass over there that we ain’t got here but ours is eating the hydrilla grass out to about the 4-foot level and that gives the bream and shellcracker good clean dirt to bed in close to the shore line.

The Price Right Sporting Goods Tournament fished out of Wingate’s on Saterday with Mr. Oliver taking first with 18 pounds, Mr. Thornton taking second with 14 pounds and Lonnie Oneal taking third with 12 pounds. Mr. Oneal will fish the FLW this coming weekend on Lake Seminole. There will be several local fishermen fishing it along with him, including Paul Tyre.

The Fishers of Men drew 31 boats from all over the south. Finished like this: First place went to Strickland and McCord with 22.11 pounds taken on spinner baits, Renew and Jones took second with 21.05 pounds, all on Top Water and Stewart and Creel took third with 19.01 pounds on plastic worms.

The above fishing was done with high winds, lightning and 1 inch of water on Saterday. In my estimation, there was winds up to 30 mph in this area of the lake. Some folks threw in the towel and went home.

We would like to remind you FLW Fishermen, don’t try to run the channel markers to Lake Seminole, they have not been tended since the floods this year.

The Jack Wingate Thursday Night Big Fish Tournament was won by Andy Koundourakis and Gizmo Roton with a nice 5.43-pounder.

The crappie has poured into Bass Island Campground at Wingate’s with goodens every day. One boat had a 3-pound crappie.

A big Willow Fly hatch was reported on the lake and an 11-pound bass was taken on plastic. Randy Weaver reported 11 bass, 5 hybrids, 4 jacks and 21 crappie taken and was back at the dock by 11 a.m.

I am upset with the Powers That Be in Atlanner or Washington, whoever made it happen that all gas pumps will pump ethanol gas on May 8. Most boats won’t run with it and my dang ’94 Ford shore won’t do nuthin’ but jump and snort like a Model A Ford in a sand bed. I swear a tea cup of common since in Atlanner or Washington would blow the dome off the capitals!

Lake Seminole is in the middle of it’s spring turn-over, it happens in the fall also. This occurs when the bottom of the lake turns loose and comes to the top. That’s when the mess that gets on your lures everytime you cast comes from. It’s a mess but it’s about over.

Wingate’s Fishing Report

April 25, 2010

Lake surface temp: 69Lake level: Down 1 footClarity: ClearingFlint: Near clearChattahoochee: Clear and fastSpring Creek: ClearReport provided by: Jack Wingate