LAKELIFE – LakeLife 24/7 Magazine

Smoke on the Falls

Iconic cooking competition returns to Noccalula Falls

Story by Scottie Vickery
Submitted Photos

The first time Tony Skiroock heard his name announced as Grand Champion of a national barbecue competition, the moment was as sweet as some of the sauces the judges undoubtedly licked from their fingers.

The fact that it happened in Gadsden at the annual Smoke on the Falls BBQ Competition, which will host its 16^th contest April 11-12, made it an experience to savor even more. That’s because Skiroock’s mother, Frances Owens, grew up in Gadsden, and the grill master, who lives in Illinois, visited her hometown every summer as a child.

It’s where an aunt first introduced him to pit barbecue at the tender age of 6, and he was hooked after his first bite. Skiroock said he looked at his aunt and immediately asked her if he could move.

Lake life and barbecue is a perfect combination, and if you’re looking to see how some award-winning pitmasters do it, you won’t want to miss Smoke on the Falls, held at the Noccalula Falls Park Campground, this year.

Up to 72 teams from all over the country will compete in the backyard and professional divisions, and the event will also feature a Kidz-Q competition. On Saturday, there will be a variety of vendors offering unique goods and treats, and the Tim Roberts Band will provide live music starting at 2:30 p.m. before the 4:30 p.m. awards ceremony.

“It’s a lot of fun. We’re pretty proud of Smoke on the Falls,” said Janet Tarrance, special events director for the City of Gadsden. Known as the Barbecue Queen, Tarrance brought the competition to Gadsden and has spearheaded the event ever since.

Featured on the Food Network, the competition is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts. KCBS, which has some 16,000 members worldwide, sanctions more than 400 barbecue competitions.

Three years ago, Smoke on the Falls added the Kidz-Q contest, allowing young chefs in two age groups (5-9 and 10-15) to show off their skills, with a little help from their parents. This year, the younger crew will cook hamburgers while the older kids will strive to grill the perfect pork tenderloin.

In the adult competition, participants in the professional division must cook four meats: ribs, chicken, brisket and butts. The backyard competitors will focus on chicken and ribs. There’s also a sides competition for interested professional and backyard teams, who can offer up their best grilled pizza and desserts.

While there’s plenty of fun to be had and lots of vendors offering mouth-watering wares, don’t go to the event expecting to eat your fill of everything on the grills and in the smokers.

“Some do give out samples, but their ultimate goal is to chase the points and win the prize,” Tarrance said.

Skiroock, whose team We Will Rock ‘Que, was named the Grand Champion at the event the past two years. He has been competing since 2016, he said, noting, “I’ve only started figuring it out.”

He started out watching BBQ Pitmasters and “tried to mimic what I saw,” before taking some classes. After tweaking ingredients, trying out different grills and smokers, and experimenting with cooking times and temperatures, “I finally started hearing my name called,” he said. “It’s a serious hobby.”

Tony Skiroock and son Daniel with the winnings

It’s so serious, in fact, that KSBS hosts full-day classes before judges, who are from all over the country, can be certified, said Tarrance. Although they’re not paid, there are other benefits to the job.

“A judge can gain 5 to 10 pounds in a single barbecue competition,” she said.

The Noccalula event has earned high marks from the KSBS, which selected Gadsden to be the host city for the KCBS World Invitational Championship, its largest competition, in 2022.

The Gadsden competition was chosen after being one of five competitions that Michael Symon, chef and restauranteur, selected to be featured on his Food Network show, BBQ USA.

The judges and competitors may take things seriously, but there’s lots of fun to be had. That’s evident in some of the team names that have competed in Smoke on the Falls. There’s Smoke Me Silly, Cool Hand Cue, Rooters-n-Tooters and Kick ‘Em in the Butt BBQ, to name a few.

In addition to Wine Me, Dine Me, Swine Me, other competitors have included the Dixie Pigs & Chicks, Bar-B-Queterie, Big Fluffy, and Swinging Pig Meat.

Skiroock said he’s enjoyed being a part of the competition world and meeting the other barbecue enthusiasts. “They call it the barbecue family,” he said. “We’re watching each other on Facebook, and we’re all happy for each other when they win.”

To a point, anyway, “It’s just like an Alabama/Auburn game,” Tarrance said. “These people come to win.”nity,” Housh said, pointing to the early vision of Woods. True to that mission, LakeFest has generated more than $500,000 for over 30 different nonprofit organizations over the past 15 years.

Recipes from Tony Skiroock

Pork Ribs

Ingredients:

Pork ribs (St. Louis trimmed or Baby Backs)
Salt, pepper, and garlic barbecue rub
All-purpose barbecue rub for pork
Light brown sugar or turbinado sugar
Honey
Unsalted butter or squeeze “butter”
Pepper sauce
Apple juice
Kansas City style barbecue sauce

Directions:

To prepare the ribs, trim off any excessive fat on the meat side of the ribs. If the membrane is still on the bone side of the ribs, remove it by slipping a butter knife under the membrane, lift it away high enough to slip your fingers under and pull the membrane off. It can also be scored with a sharp knife and left in place.

Sprinkle a basic salt, pepper and garlic rub on both sides of the ribs, then sprinkle both sides with your favorite all-purpose barbecue rub. Press the rubs into the meat, then place in the refrigerator for an hour or until the rubs look damp having absorbed some of the moisture from the meat.

Prepare your grill or smoker to run at 275-300° using indirect heat. Place the ribs, meat side up, on the grill and cook for one hour. Spritz with apple juice every 20 minutes.

After an hour, roll the ribs meat side down and cook for another hour, at which time the rub should have set into a nice “bark” that doesn’t smear with your finger.

Prepare a wrap with two layers of aluminum foil, long enough to cover the rib length plus a few inches on each end. Spread onto the foil ¼ cup of sugar, a drizzle of honey, a stick of butter cut into five planks (or a hearty drizzle of squeeze butter), a line of pepper sauce, a shake of barbecue rub and ¼ cup of apple juice. Place the ribs on the foil, meat side down, and fold the foil tightly around the slab.

Return the rib packet to the smoker.

After about an hour, the rib packet should start to feel floppy when lifted. You can open it up and check for doneness. The bone tips should be exposed by about a half inch, and a toothpick should slide easily into the meat. The slab should be floppy but not fall apart, unless you want them fall-off-the-bone tender, which might need about 90 minutes wrapped.

Gently heat the sauce in a saucepan, stirring regularly. Add a few squeezes of honey and a splash of apple juice to thin the sauce. Carefully open the rib packet and place the ribs on a cutting board. Brush the top and bottom with sauce, add a final shake of barbecue rub and return the ribs to the smoker for ten minutes to set the sauce.

BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
Chicken wings
All-purpose barbecue rub
Unsalted butter
Kansas City style barbecue sauce
Apple juice
Honey

Directions:

To prepare the thighs, trim off any dangling skin or meat. With the wings, cut off the wing tip and, if desired, separate the flat from the drumette. Sprinkle all sides of the chicken with your favorite BBQ rub.

Prepare your grill or smoker to run at 300° using indirect heat. Place the chicken on the grate. After about an hour, the skin should be slightly browned and the meat firm.

Typically, at this point, the internal temperature of the chicken will be around 145°. Prepare enough half-size foil pans large enough to contain chicken pieces in a single layer. Place a stick of butter, cut into planks, in the bottom of each pan. Place the chicken, in a single layer, in the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil. The butter and heat creates a steam bath that renders the fat in the skin, yielding bite-through skin.

Return to the cooker for an hour, rotating the pan after 30 minutes.

Gently heat the sauce in a saucepan, stirring regularly. Add a few squeezes of honey and a splash of apple juice to thin the sauce. After an hour, the chicken’s internal temperature should be around 200-208°, super tender and juicy. Dunk each piece in the sauce and return to the smoker for about 10 minutes to set the sauce.

Logan Martin LakeFest

A success story 15 years and counting

Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted Photos

Eric Housh stepped away from his work desk for a few minutes, taking a short break from his regular consulting job in marketing and sales technology solutions to talk about his ‘other job.’

That alternate work has become a passion of his that has evolved over the years, much like the event itself. He’s been heading up organizing and promoting Logan Martin LakeFest, billed as the South’s largest in-water boat show, since it launched 15 years ago. But as Housh will quickly tell you, it has grown into so much more.

While the focus is on a show for boats, personal watercrafts and even cars and trucks, this outdoor festival at Pell City Lakeside Park boasts something for everybody. It features dozens of lake lifestyle vendors, nonstop entertainment, food trucks, kids’ attractions, a spectacular fireworks show and a host of other events, drawing upwards of 40,000 people each year.

It began as a vision of the late Jerry Woods of Woods Surfside Marina; Fred Casey, former owner of Tradesman Docks; Joe Paul Abbott, developer of Horizons, and Lee Holmes, owner of Sylacauga Marine. They wanted to create an event that would draw people to Logan Martin, not only to browse their boats but to discover how special the lake and lake life really are.

Lakeside Park is the perfect location for the boat show

Come May 9-11, LakeFest will celebrate its 15^th birthday in a grand way. “We say every year that we are beyond blessed with a community that supports us so well,” Housh said. “All the support makes it easier to do this year in and year out.”

Each year seems to outdo the year that came before it, and the burgeoning crowds attending simply underscore that Housh and company continue to fine tune a winning formula.

This year’s fireworks show will be bigger this year, highlighting special events on Friday night. Veterans from Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home are guests of honor for dinner and the fireworks show, escorted into the festival in a special ceremony saluting them. A record number of veterans attended in 2024.

Veterans, Housh said, always had a special place in Woods’ heart. His brother was killed in Vietnam, and veterans have been a focal point since the beginning of LakeFest.

This year’s version will bring a ‘first’ for LakeFest – an actual wedding will take place on Saturday. A couple had called and asked if it was possible to exchange their vows at LakeFest, and “we thought it was a crazy cool idea. All in attendance at LakeFest will be guests at the wedding,” Housh said. “We’ll have other fun stuff Saturday night. It will be a party atmosphere, something fun I think everybody will enjoy.”

Entertainment for the weekend will be centerstage and represent just about every genre possible. They are even looking to add bluegrass this year to its lineup of country, rock, folk and more. Prizes and giveaways will be awarded throughout the weekend.

Many hands are responsible for this unfolding success story. Justin Hogeland partners with Housh to oversee and plan this huge outdoor festival. Judy Carr and Kasey Flurry keep logistics running smoothly. And an army of volunteers – from golf cart shuttle drivers to traffic directors to helping hands wherever needed – report for duty early and stay late, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the crowds that attend.

The sponsors make the whole event possible, and the vendors and entertainment help give it its wide-ranging appeal. The Splash Pad is sponsored free for kids Friday and Saturday, and for mothers, it’s Mimosas for Moms – free Mimosas and a rose on Sunday, honoring them on Mother’s Day.

LakeFest returns the favor, giving back to the community each year through its profits earmarked for charities as well as upgrades for Lakeside Park. The large Jerry Woods Memorial Pavilion, new docks and other improvements are courtesy of funding from LakeFest’s nonprofit, The Logan Martin Charity Foundation.

“We’re really proud of that. It’s been in our DNA to give back to the community,” Housh said, pointing to the early vision of Woods. True to that mission, LakeFest has generated more than $500,000 for over 30 different nonprofit organizations over the past 15 years.

Catchin’ the Coosa March 2025

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

Warmer weather and longer days these two months have the fish on the move from their wintertime homes.

Typically, in March, I still believe the bass are in their pre-spawn mood. They are feeding up and fattening up, preparing to move into their bedding areas to get ready to spawn. Usually, I’ll target most of these fish in 10 feet of water or less this time of year.

Fish love to stage on points that lead into spawning bays. Also, brush and shallow docks are great places to look for fish making a pit stop before they spawn.

A few lures I reach for would be a bladed jig, square bill crank bait, or a topwater walking bait. If the water is still in the mid-50s, I’ll reach mainly for the bladed jig and squarebill and cover as much water as possible. I target creeks on the lower end of the lake. Generally, this is where the fish will try and spawn first.

I also like to target windy, if possible. Once the water temp reaches the 60-degree mark, that’s when I reach for the topwater walking bait. I do this especially on cloudy, windy days. The fish will usually be one to three feet deep on points.

Do not be afraid to throw it mid-day if the conditions are right. This is my favorite technique to catch these fish, especially in April. Usually, if we have our normal weather pattern, you will really start to see the largemouth bass lock on their beds. This is the time get the spinning rods out and get on the finesse gear.

The tried and true wacky rigged senko is an awesome way to get these bedding largemouth bass to commit. Now, I do switch gears when it comes to fishing for spotted bass. Spotted bass tend to spawn in shallow bays and flats in a little deeper water.

An effective way to cover water and efficiently pick these broader areas apart is with a Carolina Rig. I use about a 2-foot leader with a ½ oz. tungsten sinker. One of my favorite baits to use is a Menace Grub from Strike King Lure Company in green pumpkin or chartreuse pepper.

I generally want a smaller bait that way because once you drag it across their bed, they can easily just pick it up and hold on to it longer. This a great way to catch those big ole Coosa River Spotted Bass later on in the month once the fish really start to lock down on bed.

Neely Henry

These two months are when Neely Henry can really shine and produce some big fish. Just like Logan Martin, these fish are on the move once the days start getting longer and warmer.

Neely Henry bass love to live shallow this time of year. My approach is a little different, though, on this lake. I typically like to target mid-lake areas this time of year. My favorite places to find these fish are creeks mouths and small river pockets.

Neely has a lot of bank grass and wood to offer in these short pockets. These pockets also have a lot of shallow docks that fish like to stage on before they spawn. My three favorite baits to use are a frog, swim jig and stick bait.

In early March, I will fish with the swim jig a lot more than the other two baits because the water temperature is usually still on the cooler side. Another great way to find fish on Neely Henry this early in the spawn is on rip rap banks. These banks hold heat and tend to hold fish anytime of day.

A squarebill crankbait is usually what I will start with on the rip rap banks. I normally have to play with a number of colors to find the right one! If the bass do not seem to want the crankbait, I’ll slowly fish down the rip rap with a jig – especially if it’s a very slick, calm day.

Just like Logan Martin, you can also catch fish around shallow docks. Typically, the docks in five feet or less tend to be the best. If the fish seem to be active, I’ll start out with a bladed jig. The bladed jig allows me to make more cast in and in turn, I am able to present the bait to more fish.

Just like the rip rap I talked about earlier, sometimes on slick calm days, the jig will outperform any bait on the docks. Once the water temp reaches the 60-degree mark, that’s when I’ll pick up the frog. The frog and swim jig combo is something I can stick with all day.

Once we get into the month of April, that’s when I will start adding in the stick bait. And just like on Logan Martin, you can’t forget about the trusted senko-type bait. I generally Texas rig the senko on light 5/16 oz. weight. I really reach for this bait when I feel like the fish are in full blown spawning mood.

I’ll pitch this bait around stumps and docks or wherever I feel like a fish might be spawning. You might not be able to physically see the fish since Neely is generally pretty dirty water. Just fish slow inside pockets and really pick everything apart. This is the best way to get bit while the fish are really locked on beds.

The bass are in big time transition during these two months, but these months can offer up some of the most rewarding fish catches for the entire year.

Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide. Learn more about Zeke at: zekegossettfishing.com.

Coosa Riverkeeper: Spawnsorships

The Spawning Season is officially here, and we’re excited to provide you with some quick tips, information, and best practices to kickstart your fishing adventure on the Coosa this season!

Water temperature plays a key role in predicting the fish spawning cycle. Pre-spawn begins in late winter or early spring, with bass feeding aggressively to build up for the spawn. On the Coosa, bass typically spawn in the spring when the water temperature reaches around 60°F. Post-spawn fish tend to head back toward the main channel or deeper waters.
During mid to late spring, fish are commonly found in shallow bays at the backs of coves. Before you head out, be sure to check current weather conditions and forecasts—not only for your safety, but also because fish behavior can change with the weather.
To help sustain healthy fish populations, never underestimate the power of catch-and-release on the Coosa River! Minimize handling time and exposure to air. If you aren’t planning to take a photo, please consider releasing the fish without touching it or using a net.
Keep your livewell clean and ensure the water is circulating throughout your fishing trip. As a general guideline, aim for no more than 1 pound of bass per gallon of water. Understand your livewell’s capacity and fill it to about three-quarters full to start. Be sure to give it a good clean before you hit the water this season!

For more fishing tips, to find your next hot spot, and to learn about local fish consumption advisories, check out our website. It’s your go-to resource for everything you need to know about fishing the Coosa! Visit CoosaRiver.org/FishGuide or scan the QR code!

Also, we’re gearing up for Swim Guide 2025 and looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of this public program! Sponsorships start at just $250 and help your business be seen across the watershed over 2 million times! Swim Guide’s goal is to provide YOU with water quality updates at popular recreation sites along the river, so you can make informed decisions about where to spend your summer days on the Coosa. Ready to dive in? Email info@coosariver.org to learn more!

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Lights in the Park winners

No sooner than Thanksgiving’s leftovers are history, a transformation of Lakeside Park begins to take place – lighting up the nighttime sky to add sparkle to the Christmas season.

While Lights in the Park has grown each year, 2024’s version stepped up to an unrivaled level of spirit.

Presented by the Pell City Parks & Recreation Department with decorative help from businesses, organizations and individuals, the spirit of competition added to the excitement. The holiday-themed displays lining both sides of the roads winding through the park drew over 80 entries.

Hundreds of attendees voted for their favorites, and the final tally crowned these winners:

Overall Winner: Woody’s Tree Service

Anna Otterson / Edward Jones: Silent Night Award – Simple and clean display
Jessica Blackerby / EXP Realty: White Christmas Award – Best use of white lights
Woody’s Tree Service: Deck the Halls Award – Most over-the-top use of lighting
Clean Haul Roll-Off: Christmas is in the Air Award – Best use of inflatables
House of Prayer: The Reason for the Season Award – Best Nativity display
Faith Community Fellowship: Holly Jolly Christmas Award – Best display that makes you laugh
Alabama Clearing & Excavating: Rock Around the Christmas Tree Award – Best use of animation
Metro Bank: The Rudolph Award – Best use of holiday characters
Girl Scouts Troop 24216: Christmas Story Award – Best youth inspired display

“The Pell City Parks & Recreation Department would like to express its sincere gratitude to all participants, visitors and voters of the inaugural ‘Lights in the Park’ Holiday Competition,” said Civic Center Manager and Contest Organizer Valerie Painter. “We commend the community for their enthusiastic participation and thoughtful voting.”

The winners can already plan their next decorating adventure. They have the opportunity to select their locations in the park for next year’s competition.

“The warmth of our community and the wonder of the Christmas season combine every year for ‘Lights in the Park,” Painter said. “It’s heartwarming to see Pell City come together to create such a magical experience. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone involved.”

Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run 2024 in Photos

Another big success in year two

From start to finish, the 2024 edition of Pell City Rotary Jingle Bell Run 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk had it all.

By the numbers, over 120runners and walkers participated in this second edition of the run, clearing the way for more than $50,000 raised for St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch and other charities in the community.

Santa was there, cheering on the runners, having his picture made with kids of all ages and managing to delight the crowd by giving a hefty lift to the spirit of the season.

Miss Leeds Area 2025 Samantha Hennings performed the National Anthem to rousing cheers, and more than a few spirited runners donned holiday attire for the festivities.

The Dec. 14 run at Lakeside Park was as Pell City Rotarians intended – a fun communitywide event for the entire family. It drew runners from all over the region and state on a 5K route that took them on scenic trails through the park and along the shoreline of Logan Martin Lake.

“We had a tremendous amount of support from the community this year. For our Club, this
event is an opportunity for us to make an impact with some very worthy causes like the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. Our Jingle Bell Run is about more than running, it’s about making a difference. Thank you to all who ran, donated and served.”

Citing the $50,000 raised, Furgerson added, “We could have never done that without the generosity and involvement of our community. We can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Run Chairman Bill Ellison echoed the notion that it all comes back to service. “Rotary saw a need in the community for an event of this magnitude that the whole family could enjoy. But more important, it saw the need for funds to build a home and help with other renovations to reopen the Boys Ranch this past year.”

He lauded the efforts of sponsors who made the fundraiser possible, the volunteers and Rotarians who helped with every aspect of the event along the way and to the community and runners who supported it.

“It really does take all of us working together to make our community a better place. All involved in the Jingle Bell Run are testament to that.”

Catchin’ the Coosa January 2025

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

During the winter, fishing on Logan Martin is the best time to catch the biggest bass in the lake.

The water temps usually vary this time of year because Alabama temperatures vary so much. So, the type of technique you have to use to catch these big bass during this time may vary as well.

Here are a few ways I approach Logan Martin to catch the biggest bass of the year and maybe of a lifetime!

Typically, when you read any article on fishing in the winter, it’s going to include fishing deep most of the time. Not saying you cannot catch bass deep on Logan Martin in the winter, but a lot of my bigger fish come out of shallow water in the winter. This is especially true if the weather is in a warming trend.

Most of the time in the winter, I start on the main river. There are a couple key things I look for in order to feel like I’m fishing the most productive waters.

First, there must be some type of baitfish in the area. Second, I’m looking for more vertical structure this time of year. The baitfish change daily on what part of the water column they may use. Vertical structure allows fish to move up and down easily with the baitfish.

A couple examples of this might be deeper docks or steep riverbanks with rock and laydowns. A few of my favorite baits this time of the year are a flat sided crankbait, spinnerbait and jig.

Usually, I’m going to throw some type of red or crawfish color pattern on the crankbait. This is one of the better baits to use if the water is colder than 60 degrees. The flat-sided crankbait is a great way to get bass to react in cold water.

If the water has a little stain to it, a spinnerbait can be deadly on warmer days. Most of the time, the spinnerbait works best slow rolling it on the bottom. I use a ½ ounce spinnerbait with a single Colorado as the blade.

The type of jig I use depends on water color. If the water is dirty, I typically will flip a black and blue jig. If the water is clear, I’ll stick with the more natural colors like green pumpkin. A jig is a great way to get really big bites this time of year.

The new fad is, of course, using forward-facing sonar. You can still catch plenty of fish without it this time of year, however, if you do use forward-facing technology, this is a great time of year to use it as well.

The first key to success on using forward-facing sonar is to find the baitfish. This is usually dependent on water clarity and temperature. You may find the baitfish in creeks or main river.

If the water is colder on the main river, that will usually help me cut down on a lot of time since they will most likely be in the creeks. Most of the time, this bite is better midday to late afternoon as the shad tend to get higher more in the water column. This is not only a great way to catch bass but any other type of fish species such as stripe and crappie.

Of course, my number one bait while using FFS will be some type of minnow bait on a jig head. I’ll also mix in a jerkbait and Alabama rig. You have to let the fish tell you what they want on any given day.

January and February are not the best for catching numbers of fish, but if you bundle up and brave the elements, you could possibly catch some of the biggest fish in the lake.

Neely Henry

Neely Henry historically is one of the better lakes on the Coosa for wintertime fishing. Why? It sets up really well. Neely Henry is full of rip rap banks and vertical bluff walls on the bottom end of the lake. This allows bass to move up and down with ease with changes in the weather and water temp.

Neely Henry also has a lot of docks and flat clay points. These two choices are also great wintertime hot spots.

On the rip rap, I’ll first reach for a square bill crank bait. I keep colors fairly simple. Either I’ll throw a red or some sort of shad pattern.

Boat positioning is a big key to success with the crankbait as well. I typically will hug the boat fairly tight to the bank and make repeated parallel casts. This allows me to cover more water efficiently and keep my bait in the strike zone longer.

My next bait choice is a jerkbait. A jerkbait can be a real good fish catcher if the water is a little clear. I’ll fish a jerkbait around clay points and deeper docks in creeks.

Another great bait at Neely Henry is a jig. The jig probably ranks up there as one of my favorite baits at Neely Henry. The reason I like the jig is because I can fish it around any type of structure. It doesn’t matter – rock, docks or wood.

If the water is below 60 degrees, a jig will always be my first choice when fishing Neely Henry. Fishing the north end of the lake around the Gadsden region can produce as well.

If they’re generating water, typically the spotted bass will get stacked in around current areas. Much like the bottom end, they like rip rap and docks.

Another place to look is in the smaller creeks where the baitfish tend to try and hide from the current or colder water. Here, the largemouth tend to hide out and feed up during the winter. Largemouth, in my opinion, are more of the “lazier” species of the two, and these smaller creek arms are a perfect place to find them. They might not be far from the river but noticing where the shad or baitfish are will help you find them a lot faster.

Using forward-facing sonar helps a lot with finding them. My baits will stay the same even on the north end of the lake. A jig once again will more than likely be my number one pick to catch the big fish. I tend to catch more numbers on the crankbait and jerkbait as well.

Neely Henry is a great place to catch some big wintertime bass. Get suited up and dress warmly because Neely Henry produces its best quality bass of the year!

Give it a shot, and you might be surprised at what you might catch while others are inside or deer hunting.

Coosa Riverkeeper: Why you should sink your Chrismas Tree

Now that the holiday season is over and you’re putting away your Christmas and New Years decorations, Coosa Riverkeeper staff would like to remind you of how to properly sink your Christmas tree for your local fish habitat!

Sinking your Christmas tree allows life to flourish and can provide an entire ecosystem for the smallest level of the food chain (like phytoplankton, the Coosa crayfish, and minnows), to the biggest predators we all love to catch, creating a fishing hotspot over time.

Join other anglers and lake lovers to sink your Christmas tree this winter! Follow the steps below to make sure your tree will be a viable habitat for many years to come.

Secure your tree trunk to a heavy base (like a cement block) to make sure the tree will sink to the bottom of the waterbody and stand straight vertically.

Trim some limbs off to make space for both large and small fish.

Find an area of the lake where fish hang out that is plenty deep and away from navigational areas. Be sure it is deep enough to avoid creating boating hazards!

Sink your tree and give yourself a pat on the back for helping create more habitat for our fisheries!

If you can’t sink your tree on your own but would still like to learn about Christmas tree recycling, contact your Alabama’s conservation department to learn about designated recycling locations in your area!

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Boo Bash steps it up this year

Logan Martin does Halloween right!

After party at Tiki Hut, this year’s sponsor

If you had to describe Boo Bash 2024 is a single word, it would have to be creativity. From giant rubber ducks to a pontoon disguised as a 50s baby blue Chevy on its way to the Boo Hop to a floating carnival, creative was the dress of the day. And that was just the boats.

Add docks and boathouses dressed to the hilt in spiders, ghosts, a scene from the Wizard of Oz, witches, mechanical pirates and skeletons and even a groovy 70s backdrop, and the day just seemed to ooze creativity.

But wait, there’s more! How about Minnie Mouse, witches of all shapes and sizes, a dog in a tutu, pirates galore and a kid cop keeping guard over a boat cell of prisoners, complete with prison bars, orange jumpsuits, mugshots and tatoos?

It all adds up to a huge success for the 2024 edition of Boo Bash, brought to you by Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, Tiki Hut and a host of volunteers and Boo Bashers extraordinaire.

By the numbers, Boo Bashers numbered more than 1,506 children and adults and 42 pets with 85 docks participating.Three major land stops – Lakeside Park, Riverside Beautification Organization and Tiki Hut drawing crowds and sparking even more fun. Trick or treaters of the kid kind were treated to thousands of bags of candy and surprises, and the adults? Well, let’s just say host stops provided grownups with special liquid treats of their own.

Funds raised from Boo Bash will go to LMLPA’s lighted buoy project.

It was a fun and innovative way to bring our lake community together for a day of fun for a good cause. Our hats are off to Sonya Hubbard and Kelli Lasseter, who had an idea a couple of years ago that trick or treating dock to dock might just grow into something big.

Pretty creative, huh?

Lakeside Live Music Fest on Logan Martin

Savoring another success

What began as a spark of an idea to bring an outdoor music event to the community caught fire and has grown year over year into one of the hottest attractions around.

Casey Cambron and the Five16 Foundation created Lakeside Live Musicfest and Car Show in 2021 as a family event to be held each fall at Lakeside Park.

This popular fall festival has a little something for everybody. The car show draws enthusiasts from all over the region. The music gets better every year with old favorites, like the WingNuts, and new headliners, like The Spin Doctors.

Vendors display their wares. Food trucks serve up a variety of palate pleasers. Kids flock to the inflatables and other activities designed just for them. And the Battle of the Badges – a three-event challenge pitting the police department against the fire department – is a crowd favorite.

It has evolved into a free, community event for the whole family whose success story is seen in the crowds that grow bigger every year and the good works throughout the region that the Foundation has been able to support.

Its success is measured in the growing number of sponsors who add their names to a movement that brings the community together in fun and fellowship while bolstering missions of charities and nonprofits throughout the area.

Funds raised from Lakeside Live this year will go to St. Clair Children’s Advocacy Center and other local nonprofits.

When Cambron and his foundation created Lakeside Live, it was part of its own mission to be a beacon – “Shining our light through fundraising, service, and good works in our community.”

Judging by its positive momentum and impact over the past four years, that light is growing ever brighter.