Fishing at Ditto Landing (Huntsville, Decatur: cars, deal, areas)

[EntoMan]

I was curious of other people's fishing experience at Ditto Landing. I've been there about a dozen times now (Just moved to the area in January) and it's hit and miss so far ... mostly miss.

Typically I use various rubber minnows and minnow spinner rigs, and occasionally poppers and crank baits. I don't have a boat, so I always fish from the bank. I like catching anything from bass to crappie to the various bream. But so far, out of the dozen trips I've taken to Ditto Landing, I've only caught one small (about 10") spotted bass.

So is Ditto Landing just not the best fishing spot, or am I using the wrong tackle? Share your experiences fishing at DL and what works, what doesn't and any success stories from there.

I imagine it can't be a total bust, since so many people are always fishing there, but I haven't found my groove at DL just yet. I'd love to hear what everyone else's experience there has been.

Cheers.

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by EntoMan

I was curious of other people's fishing experience at Ditto Landing. I've been there about a dozen times now (Just moved to the area in January) and it's hit and miss so far ... mostly miss.

Typically I use various rubber minnows and minnow spinner rigs, and occasionally poppers and crank baits. I don't have a boat, so I always fish from the bank. I like catching anything from bass to crappie to the various bream. But so far, out of the dozen trips I've taken to Ditto Landing, I've only caught one small (about 10") spotted bass.

So is Ditto Landing just not the best fishing spot, or am I using the wrong tackle? Share your experiences fishing at DL and what works, what doesn't and any success stories from there.

I imagine it can't be a total bust, since so many people are always fishing there, but I haven't found my groove at DL just yet. I'd love to hear what everyone else's experience there has been.

Cheers.

I've been there a few times(the only thing that keeps me sane here)and caught something every time.I've only caught bluegill and catfish.I got hung alot there also, but it's alright.I used night crawlers and red worms.

[EntoMan]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

I've been there a few times(the only thing that keeps me sane here)and caught something every time.I've only caught bluegill and catfish.I got hung alot there also, but it's alright.I used night crawlers and red worms.

I haven't tried catfishing there yet. I need to do that. What cats are there? Channel and bullhead?

I definitely could have some fun fighting some nice sized cats.

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by EntoMan

I haven't tried catfishing there yet. I need to do that. What cats are there? Channel and bullhead?

I definitely could have some fun fighting some nice sized cats.

I caught a nice channel cat over where the Tennessee runs into ditto landing. But I seen some guys out there catch bullhead(nasty).Might try Decatur this weekend.

[Keeper]

Have you gone to Lake Guntersville to fish? There are always lots of cars along HWY69 with ppl fishing.

[EntoMan]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Have you gone to Lake Guntersville to fish? There are always lots of cars along HWY69 with ppl fishing.

No, I haven't tried Lake Guntersville yet. I've driven through a few times on 69 and 431 and I saw a few spots that I'd like to try. I have been to Guntersville Dam a few times and caught white bass and skipjack.

The best fishing I've had so far was on the river at the North Alabama Birding Trail off of E Upper River Rd. It was white bass and largemouth all day. But I was hoping Ditto Landing would end up being a good fishing spot since it's so close.

[Southlander]

There's a reason why the big fishing tournaments are out of Decatur.

Try the causeway just before the bridge in Decatur...or "Hospitality Park" at the pumps before you cross the river. I always see people fishing along there, day or night, rain or shine, freezing or sweltering.

Also in the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge on the Decatur side. There are several areas in the refuge that are accessible on the south side of the river.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Southlander

There's a reason why the big fishing tournaments are out of Decatur..

Yeah I actually saw that on ESPN at one time. That's a big lake to explore from Decatur to Athens side as well.

[mello151]

I gave Ditto Landing a try today for the first time. Didn't have any luck though. (Fished for bass.) I love the location. I don't have a boat and usually fish in Decatur right before the bridge going from the Huntsville side or Ingalls Harbor. I've caught quite a few bass at those spots but there usually so darn crowded and you have to deal with the traffic noise and weeds on the spot before the bridge. The weeds are good for bass but terrible when you fish from the bank and have to cast and retrieve over it.

I'm looking for some more good spots now. The only thing keeping me from going too far is that my three year old son always HAS to go with me and I don't want to venture out too far with him. He's caught quite a few good bass though

Anybody know of any other good bass spots not too far out of the way from Madison?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

I caught a nice channel cat over where the Tennessee runs into ditto landing.

Originally Posted by EntoMan

I haven't tried catfishing there yet. I need to do that. What cats are there? Channel and bullhead?

I definitely could have some fun fighting some nice sized cats.

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

.I've only caught bluegill and catfish.

Be careful.

Originally Posted by Southlander

Nobody fishes for catfish in the Tennessee River anymore. A DDT plant at the Arsenal during WWII was found to have released DDT into the river and the catfish, being bottom feeders of course, are full of it. Look for "pond raised catfish."