Guntersville Bass Guides

{
  "id": "1c27f294-3cdb-4545-9a48-a2724b347ab0",
  "organizationId": "92428e61-5aa6-4ad9-98a1-02a7df3b419b",
  "name": "Guntersville Bass Guides",
  "guideName": "Jim Leary",
  "slug": "guntersville-bass-guides",
  "bio": "Jim Leary has guided anglers on Lake Guntersville for 19 years, building expertise across the lake's seasonal cycles and structure-rich fishery. He targets largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, and crappie using both fly and spin tackle, adapting his approach from spring spawn shallow-water fishing through summer ledge tactics and fall baitfish-driven action. Leary operates year-round, with particular focus on winter trophy bass and fall crappie runs, offering clients the flexibility to chase whatever is biting across the Tennessee River system.",
  "yearsExperience": 19,
  "city": "Guntersville",
  "stateProvince": "AL",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "country": "US",
  "timezone": "UTC-5",
  "isVerified": false,
  "canonicalUrl": "https://guntersvillebassguides.com/",
  "tripAdvisorUrl": null,
  "googleMapsUrl": "https://maps.google.com/?cid=13244025535259138674&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA",
  "openMonths": [
    1,
    2,
    3,
    4,
    5,
    6,
    7,
    8,
    9,
    10,
    11,
    12
  ],
  "peakMonths": [
    2,
    3,
    4,
    5,
    9,
    10,
    11
  ],
  "fishingSeasonsNarrative": "My guiding year on Lake Guntersville is a dynamic pursuit of bass and crappie, dictated by the seasons and the lake's ever-changing moods. While we operate year-round, the fishing truly heats up as spring arrives. From February through April, we focus on the pre-spawn and spawn bite, targeting shallow areas where big females move in to feed and prepare for spawning. As summer heat sets in, the bass retreat to deeper water and structure, making ledge fishing and offshore tactics crucial. Fall brings a welcome change as migrating baitfish trigger aggressive feeding windows, offering fantastic action. Winter provides a unique opportunity for targeting true giants in deeper, more stable conditions, often with fewer boats on the water. For crappie, the prime time is from October through June, with a focus on filling the freezer with slab-sized fish, especially during the cooler months and spring spawn.",
  "meetingPoint": null,
  "providesGear": true,
  "gearNotes": "All rods, reels, tackle, and fishing gear are provided. Fly and spin setups are both available depending on your preference and target species.",
  "kidFriendly": null,
  "skillLevel": null,
  "cancellationPolicy": null,
  "licenseInfo": null,
  "whatToExpect": "Full-day trips on Lake Guntersville rotate seasonally—spring means shallow-water sight-casting for pre-spawn females, summer shifts to offshore ledge fishing in deeper structure, and fall capitalizes on aggressive feeding windows as baitfish migrate. All tackle, rods, reels, and gear are provided; trips include instruction on seasonal tactics and water-reading. The pace is flexible, accommodating both serious anglers seeking trophy fish and recreational anglers looking to fill a cooler with crappie.",
  "status": "active",
  "pipelineId": 49,
  "createdAt": "2026-05-16T01:19:03.084Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-16T01:36:59.648Z",
  "reviews": [],
  "credentials": [],
  "geom": {
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [
      -86.3719253,
      34.3325539
    ]
  },
  "tags": [
    {
      "slug": "intermediate",
      "name": "Intermediate",
      "tagType": "ability"
    },
    {
      "slug": "advanced",
      "name": "Advanced",
      "tagType": "ability"
    },
    {
      "slug": "first-time-anglers",
      "name": "First-Time Anglers",
      "tagType": "best_for"
    },
    {
      "slug": "center-console",
      "name": "Center Console",
      "tagType": "boat_type"
    },
    {
      "slug": "spin-fishing",
      "name": "Spin Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fly-fishing",
      "name": "Fly Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "trolling",
      "name": "Trolling",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "year-round",
      "name": "Year-Round",
      "tagType": "season"
    },
    {
      "slug": "streamer",
      "name": "Streamer",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "topwater",
      "name": "Topwater",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sight-fishing",
      "name": "Sight Fishing",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "live-bait",
      "name": "Live Bait",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "full-day",
      "name": "Full Day",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "charter",
      "name": "Charter",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "instructional",
      "name": "Instructional",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "catch-and-release",
      "name": "Catch & Release",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "gear-provided",
      "name": "Gear Provided",
      "tagType": "trip_inclusion"
    },
    {
      "slug": "flies-provided",
      "name": "Flies / Lures Provided",
      "tagType": "trip_inclusion"
    },
    {
      "slug": "freshwater",
      "name": "Freshwater",
      "tagType": "water_type"
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [],
  "destinations": [
    {
      "slug": "birmingham-al",
      "name": "Birmingham",
      "type": "city",
      "primary": true,
      "confirmed": false,
      "relationship": null,
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "guntersville-al",
      "name": "Guntersville",
      "type": "city",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": false,
      "relationship": null,
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "alabama",
      "name": "Alabama",
      "type": "state",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": false,
      "relationship": null,
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "huntsville-al",
      "name": "Huntsville",
      "type": "city",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": false,
      "relationship": null,
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "scottsboro-al",
      "name": "Scottsboro",
      "type": "city",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": false,
      "relationship": null,
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "guntersville-lake-al",
      "name": "Guntersville Lake",
      "type": "reservoir",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": false,
      "relationship": null,
      "distanceMeters": null
    }
  ],
  "primaryDestinationSlug": "birmingham-al",
  "accommodations": [],
  "species": [
    {
      "slug": "largemouth-bass",
      "commonName": "Largemouth Bass",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        9,
        10,
        11
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Lake Guntersville is renowned for its trophy largemouth bass, with prime opportunities in spring (February-April) as they move shallow to spawn. Summer heat pushes them to deeper ledges and structure, while fall offers aggressive feeding windows as baitfish migrate. Winter can produce true giants in stable, deeper conditions.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "crappie",
      "commonName": "Crappie",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        10,
        11,
        12,
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        10,
        11,
        12,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Slab crappie fishing is excellent from October through June, with prime opportunities in the fall and spring spawn. We target staging fish on brush piles, creek channels, and bridge pilings, often using light tackle and forward-facing sonar.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "striped-bass",
      "commonName": "Striped Bass",
      "category": "saltwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        6,
        7,
        8
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Action-packed trips targeting hard-fighting striped bass are perfect for groups and families, especially during the summer months when they are actively schooling. These trips focus on fun and filling the cooler with light tackle.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "white-bass",
      "commonName": "White Bass",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        6,
        7,
        8
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "These high-energy, action-packed trips are perfect for groups and families looking to catch a lot of fish. White bass hit hard and fight fast, making for an exciting day on the water with light tackle.",
      "notes": null
    }
  ],
  "reviewCount": 0,
  "avgRating": null,
  "imageUrl": null
}