Shannon Woods joins the show for a deep dive into bluegill fishing and the Scales and Tails Brim Series.

The Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report is your best resource for the Lake Guntersville Fishing Report, Weiss Lake Fishing Report, Lake Eufaula Fishing Report, Mobile Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, and all the creeks, rivers, and reservoirs in between.

This week, host Brian Gilliland sits down with Shannon Woods for the show’s first full episode dedicated to bluegill fishing. A native of Butler County, Shannon shares his roots fishing muddy creeks and ponds with cane poles and hand-dug worms. He describes the variety of sunfish species found across Alabama and how even isolated ponds end up with fish, thanks to nature’s unlikely transporters—birds.

Shannon highlights the Mobile-Tensaw Delta as a sleeper hotspot for big bluegill and shellcracker, especially from late April through June. He breaks down his strategies for finding productive water, including targeting pinch points, current seams, ledges, and shallow flats with sandy or rocky bottoms. He notes that when water levels rise, fish move into the flooded woods—timing and conditions are key.

Gear-wise, Shannon sticks with the classics: 10–12 ft. cane poles, ultralight spinning combos, and a growing interest in fly fishing with a 5–6 wt. setup. He shares his bait preferences, leaning toward crickets for bluegill and worms for shellcracker, though he still remembers the tiny red worms of his youth that he can no longer find in stores.

Shannon also talks about the Scales and Tails Brim Series—an accessible, family-friendly tournament trail focused solely on panfish. The next tournament is April 26, with the biggest event of the year coming up May 17, where anglers weigh in 50 bull bream for a chance at a $1,000 prize. Entry fees are low, and you don’t need a fancy rig to compete—canoes, kayaks, and jon boats are all welcome.

To learn more or register, visit the “Scales and Tails Brim Series” on Facebook, or contact Shannon at downmycreek@gmail.com or (334) 508-0303.

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