By Jason Duran
The Alabama Bass Trail North Division opens its 13th season at Lake Guntersville, and if history says anything, it’s this: Guntersville never shows you just one version of itself.
Late February on this lake is not clean. It’s not simple. It’s not linear. It’s scattered in the best possible way.
“They’re zero to 50 feet and everywhere in between,” said Guntersville locals Jed Lamb and Cooper Lively. That might be the most honest description of Guntersville right now.
Some fish are spawning. Some have already spawned. Some are staging in 10 to 15 feet. Some are roaming grass edges. Others are suspended and waiting to be found on forward-facing sonar. It’s a lake in transition, and that’s exactly what makes this North Division opener so dangerous.
A Lake in All Phases
It sounds wild to talk about spawning fish in February, but Guntersville has always operated on its own schedule. Its size, depth variation, and expansive grass allow fish to cycle early and often.
Lively said he recently caught fish that appeared post-spawn, skinny and beat up. Lamb confirmed he knows of fish already on beds. But neither believes there’s a massive wave committed yet. Instead, it’s staggered.
There are fish headed to the bank. There are fish already shallow. And there are fish still holding just off the bank, feeding up and waiting on the next warming trend. That kind of movement means one thing for the ABT field: versatility will matter.
Grass or Scope?
Guntersville has always been known for grass power fishing, but Lamb believes this one could lean heavily toward electronics. “It’s gonna be a scopers fest,” he said.
The plan? Possibly mix it up. Check grass early. Then move out and scope roaming fish in that 10 to 15 foot range. Unlike formats that limit sonar time, ABT teams can scope all day, and Lamb believes that could be the difference.
The staples will still play. Minnows, chatterbaits, rattle traps, and flat-side crankbaits are all in the mix. But whether this tournament is won grinding grass or picking off individual fish with forward-facing sonar may come down to who finds the freshest water.
Because that’s what Lamb believes will separate the top 10 from the rest of the field. “Somebody’s going to find a fresh school. Whether it’s in the grass or out scoping somewhere that hasn’t been tampered with. And they’re going to wreck them.”
Guntersville fish are moving. The team that intercepts the next wave could own the day.
How Big Will It Take?
The North Division isn’t easing into 2026 quietly. There have been tournaments stacked on tournaments at Guntersville in recent weeks. The BFL took 24 pounds to win. Other major events have hovered in the mid-20s per day. Pressure is constant here.
But Lamb believes the ABT field raises the ceiling.“I think there will be a 30-pound bag,” he said. Twenty pounds will likely be required just to cash a check. Twenty-five pounds will put a team firmly in contention. But neither Lamb nor Lively believes you can win this event without a true giant. “Not a chance,” Lively said when asked if someone could win without a six- to eight-pound bite. On Guntersville, you don’t just need weight. You need presence.
Starting the North Division Right
For Lively, this season carries personal meaning. It’s his first full ABT season, and his goal is simple: qualify for the Championship.
For Lamb, the motivation runs deeper. In previous seasons, Lamb competed in the ABT alongside Andrew Loberg, who has since moved on to the Bassmaster Elite Series and qualified for the Bassmaster Classic. Their partnership elevated Lamb’s approach to the game, sharpening his decision-making and raising his standard on the water.
“I can’t thank him enough for the things he showed me and taught me,” Lamb said. “I’ve become a way better fisherman just being in the boat with him.”
While Loberg now competes at the highest professional level, the two still fish together in the ABT 100 events, keeping that competitive edge and connection intact.
But this North Division season marks a different chapter. Now paired with fellow Guntersville local Cooper Lively, Lamb carries that experience into a new partnership and into a tournament on the lake he now calls home.
Guntersville is not just another stop for him. It’s personal. Winning an ABT on his home water would mean more than most trophies ever could. “That would be so special to me,” Lamb admitted.
But Guntersville demands emotional control. It tempts anglers with history. It punishes those who fish memories instead of conditions. And that may be the real test in this North Division opener. Guntersville doesn’t ease you into a season. It forces you to be ready.
All anglers must attend check-in on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Guntersville Middle School, located at 901 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976. Check-in will run from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., with the pre-tournament meeting beginning promptly at 6:30 P.M. All anglers must be seated by that time.
Launch and weigh-in will take place Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976.
Blast off is scheduled for 6:30 A.M. or safe daylight. First flight is due in at 3:00 P.M.
Fans can follow live weigh-in coverage and tournament updates through the Alabama Bass Trail’s official website and social media platforms throughout the afternoon.
Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.” The Podcast is released each week on Tuesday.
The 2026 Alabama Bass Trail Team Series is made possible through partnerships with industry leading brands: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Larry Puckett Chevrolet, 13 Fishing, Thompson Tractor Company, Rapala, VMC, CRUSHCITY, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Thompson Tractor Company, Thompson CAT, Pirnah02, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, Alfa Insurance Thomas ALFA MAN Shelton, TH Marine Supplies, Power Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, Yamaha, SCUM FROG, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.
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