Shane Ellis Fishing Service

Guntersville FIshing Charter Forward facing sonar: The pros and cons. updated

Guntersville FIshing Charter Forward facing sonar: The pros and cons.
Forward facing sonar is the most polarizing and most controversial topic in bass fishing. I use it everyday as a fulltime guide and fully understand the pros and cons. First let's discuss the positive effects of forward facing sonar. It absolutely allows an angler to be more efficient and target bigger fish which shows up in tournament production. It also has spread out the field allowing the hard structure areas to get less pressure because many anglers are searching open water for roaming fish. The sales of graphs,transducers,mounts,batteries and wiring harnesses have exploded. Now let's look at the negative impact. The fishing industry has always been driven by tackle sales and FFS has negatively impacted bait sales. It is expensive and anglers that can't afford it are at a disadvantage. It isn't "made for tv" as watching anglers stare at a screen is a hard product to sell. Well ok what can be done? I think what the bass pro tour h

Guntersville FIshing Charter May 26th Guntersville bass fishing report: Cool weather means big bass. updated

Guntersville FIshing Charter May 28th Guntersville bass fishing report: Cool weather means big bass. updated

Guntersville FIshing Charter May 28th Guntersville bass fishing report: Cool weather means big bass.
This week we were given a very unusual cold front in May. It really got the big fish feeding and it sure was nice fishing in October like temperatures. Average catch rate per day was 17 and each day we landed 5 fish stringers over 20 pounds. The lake is really diverse and dynamic right now. The river ledges are producing, there is a good frog bite and flipping docks is a fun way to catch them. Easy it is not however with a concise plan and efficient processes and procedures it can be great fishing. With below average temperatures and current on the tennesee river I expect the fishing to be incredible through June. If you are interested in fishing with a USCG licensed captain call 256-744-5185.

Guntersville FIshing Charter May 18th Guntersville bass fishing report: The tournament weights are just absurd right now.
Guntersville is the healthiest it has ever been. It's full of grass and big hungry bass. Day 1 of the Toyota series saw over 30 twenty pound bags and 60th was 18lbs. It took 73 pounds to win with 15 fish basically all 5 pounders. Most of those fish were caught on the river ledges but there are several productive patterns at the moment. Ledges are dominating tournaments but the shad spawn is a great way to catch them and bream beds are an exciting way to fish. I did 4 guide trips last week and we landed an average of 27 bass per day with big fish showing up early and often. The biggest bass landed in my boat last week was 7 pounds with several 5s and 6s put in the boat. If you would like to fish with a USCG licensed captain call 2567445185. 

Guntersville FIshing Charter May 9th Guntersville bass fishing report: It just keeps getting better
Guntersville was spectacular this week. We guided everyday and the average catch rate per day was 40 and the size was excellent with many fish over 6 pounds landed. I had 2 trips yesterday and both clients landed fish over 6 with the morning client landing 21 bass and the afternoon client landing 27 bass. There is a lot going on out on the big pond. The river ledges are where the tournaments will be won. There is a shad spawn for about an hour in the mornings and the full moon is coming. The best bait out deep is a 6xd and a white spinnerbait is best for the shad spawn. If you are interested in fishing with a USCG licensed captain call 2567445185. 

Guntersville FIshing Charter May 2nd Guntersville bass fishing report: This place is Huge,Dynamic and loaded with Bass.
This week has been by far the best fishing of the year. Average catch rate was 40 and size is excellent. There are 3 main patterns emerging. At daylight there is a strong shad spawn that we are using a spinnerbait to exploit. Bream beds are an excellent pattern after the shad spawn expires. A wacky rigged senko is the deal here. The deep bite is improving daily and a 6xd is the bait to fire those schools. The last 2-3 years is the best most consistent fishing I have ever seen at guntersville with 50 years experience on the lake. Last weekend it took 55lbs to win the two day tournament. If you are interested in fishing with a USCG licensed captain call 256-744-5185. 

Guntersville FIshing Charter April 27th Guntersville bass fishing report: They are on the move.
This week has been very productive with numbers and size being excellent. However it's not easy. I am having to adapt to changing conditions and phases daily. The week started out catching fish in less than a foot of water and ended fishing river channel ledges. Guntersville tests your mental and physical skills everyday and to be successful 100% of the time you either get really good or play golf instead. We have averaged 25 bass landed per day and my clients caught fish over 5 pounds each day. We are in a new moon phase currently and next week we will have a waxing moon leading into the full moon in two weeks. If you don't understand the effects of the moon you will be scratching your head looking for answers. Our best baits this week have been a spinnerbait and a crankbait. If you want to fish with a USCG licensed captain call 256-744-5185. 

Guntersville FIshing Charter April 18th Guntersville bass fishing report: Deep,shallow and in between. updated