Summer Bass Fishing tips for Lake Lake

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Summer on Lay Lake

Last year around the beginning of summer Alabama had very little rain. June was unseasonably hot, followed by a severe summertime drought in July, August and September and highs of over 100 degrees. For the first time during a summer season, Lay Lake was slowly lowered to a few feet below normal, full pool level.

With enough rain all throughout this past spring season, Lay lake was currently at full pool the first week of June. But what will this summer season hold? No rain for months, can take its toll quick and the statewide scene of constantly falling lake levels, could take place once again...just like last year.

So keep this in mind before planing your next trip to Lay Lake. Call 1-800-lakes-11 for daily lake levels (full pool is 396.0) and water generation schedules. Make sure you always check the water generation schedules for both Lay lake dam and upstream, Logan Martin Lake dam. Some anglers may fail to recognize the importance of doing so.

Knowing the current lake level and scheduled water generation times, can aid you in your search for both species of bass on Lay Lake. The daily habits of the Coosa River spotted bass and Lay lakes weed dwelling largemouth bass are greatly influenced by the lakes rising waters, its falling waters or by the current created by water generation.

Using this information wisely (provided for free by Alabama Power Company), can help you in your decision on where to fish, what time you should be fishing on certain locations throughout the entire lake, what lures you should be fishing and even the manner in which you present each and every lure.

* Checking both the lake level and the water generation schedules for several days prior to your trip, gives you an idea of what effect it has on these Lay lake bass, when you arrive.

Lake Levels / Full Pool is 396.0
Lay Lake generally stays at or near full pool all throughout the entire year. It is one of three lakes on the lower Coosa River System (Mitchell Lake and Jordan Lake being the other two), that has traditionally been kept at full pool year round, despite the season. Excluding last summer's drought.

* There are three lakes on the upper Coosa River system, Weiss Lake, Neely Henry Lake and Logan Martin Lake, that are lowered for winter pool.

Rising or falling lake levels always affect the habits of Lay lakes bass. Especially largemouth bass. Spotted bass found on the main lake, are not bothered by falling lake levels. If the lake is falling and it drops as much as 8-10 inches in a days time, it has no effect on main lake bass, most of which are spotted bass relating to current edges along deep water drops. They adjust rather easily.

But Lay lake's largemouth bass - many of which thrive in Lay's weedy, creek backwaters, along small cuts and pockets, along the many miles of creek flats and those bass found on main lake flats - are all greatly affected with fluctuating water levels. Often as little as a drop of 6 inches of water, can send them swimming for deeper water nearby, sometimes far away from the shallows. Backwaters displaying 1-2 feet of water or less, can become completely void of largemouth bass, if lake levels suddenly fall.

If Lay lakes waters drop 2-3 feet like last summer, it will be weeks before bass again invade shallow creek backwaters, those places normally far from the security of deeper main lake waters. Only when Lay lake's lake levels stabilize and its waters stop falling, will these bass move back into these places. Again, main lake bass adjust simply by moving to weed edges, along stump rows, and feeding and holding around any sudden drop-off or bottom change. Until conditions stabilize, stick with fishing the main lake during low water periods.

On the other hand, if lake levels suddenly rise so will the bass, further up in the newly flooded shallows. For as most anglers know, flooded waters always means new meals will suddenly be on the shallow water menu. Rarely does this happen on Lay lake during the hot days of summer. It takes a lot of rain or plenty of constant evening thundershowers, for anglers to see Lay lake get over full pool. But when it does, just like the bass, anglers should head for the shallows.

Water Generation
You can't have rising waters or falling lake levels without water generation. Water allowed to go through the dam - to generate electricity - creates current, that always brings the bass their meals. Both spotted bass and largemouth bass will feed according to the water generation schedules. If the water is on and moving, they move up in huge summertime school's along main lake flats, points, around current breaking cover like stumps and standing timber and along islands and creek mouths.

* Water generation at both dams is usually evident from Monday - Saturday and this generally keeps the lake at / or over full pool. Or it can cause the lake to be slightly down a few inches.

Often (unknown to many anglers), on Sunday, there can be no water generation and the lake can get over full pool by mid morning. Or the lower Lay Lake dam can be closed on Sunday and the upper Logan Martin Lake dam will be letting water into the lake, slowly filling it up. With water coming into the lake from Logan Martin dam (including any rain run-off from recent rains entering the lake via its many feeders creeks), the lake can rise anywhere from 6 inches to one foot in a days time.

Knowing the water generation schedule is important. When you call 1-800-lakes-11 the recorded voice will also give you the future water generation schedules. So if your planning a weekend trip, a call on Thursday or Friday, could help you plan your fishing trip for Saturday or Sunday.

Lay Lakes Aquatic Weeds
As summer gets underway so do the lakes aquatic weeds. They thrive in the summer sun. Even when Lay lake was lowered last summer (the weeds that were already growing underwater were rejuvenated when exposed to sunlight), the weeds found along the new shoreline thrived and the bass moved right in. Most anglers that fish Lay lake during the summer months will fish some type of aquatic weeds, whether they fish during the day or at night.

Techniques for targeting these Lay lake bass in the weeds are many. Keep in mind you are fishing for largemouth bass. They don't call them largemouth's for nothing. Big bass want a big meal. Meaning tailoring your offerings on the bigger side, to entice those much bigger largemouth bass, hidden within the many miles of aquatic weeds lining Lay Lakes shoreline.

Describing each and every lure and technique for fishing in and around Lay Lakes weedy shores could get rather lengthy. There are literally dozens of lures and many, many ways to fish them, that entices Lay lakes lure-oriented largemouth bass into striking. To many to list, but there are local favorites, that do get the strikes.

First you have got to have the right lures within this huge lure category, including the right line, rods, reels, sharp hooks and equipment like a good, long handled net. To be successful you must have confidence and you must, for sure be fishing each and every lure, in the right place, in the right manner, for even hoping of any success.

That's why some anglers that frequent Lay lake (like bass tournament anglers), are very tight lipped about what they fish with and where they fish as well. Many tournament anglers will put away all their rods, lures and tackle boxes and even do away with any visible sign of a lure, cleaning up their boat before heading back to the dock in the evening. Just in case any anglers (those that did not do so well), are scrutinizing their boats for tidbits of information when they tie up at the dock. Still there are signs they forgot.

* Anglers that fish Lay lakes shallow stained creeks usually have a mud line around their boats. Anglers that fish in very shallow water always have their trolling motor positioned as high as they can get it. Anglers that fish a lot of weeds have weeds still in their boats by days end. Even cup holders in the boat, or even the net, can have lures in them...they over looked.

* Actually, The best advice I can say to any angler new to this sport is; develop some fish catching techniques of your own, find some of your own fishing spots, fish with confidence lures, those lures you know catch fish, and on each and every trip, always explore new places and at least try to develop a few new techniques of your own. You may be surprised in the results and then you can say, you did it all on your own!

Lures for Fishing Lay Lake This Summer
Like said, there are many lure choices, lure colors, various lure sizes and styles, including favorite lure manufactures to choose from. But time and again (like on any lake you fish), there are always some certain lures that will always fool the bass.

Getting Lay lakes bass to bite can mean having a lure they do not see very much and believe me they do see a lot of lures! Or a technique that other anglers do not employ. So here's some of my favorites and some of those (that some tournament anglers don't know I know), that may help you get those often hard to entice Lay lake bass to bite this summer season.

Topwaters and Weedless Lures
Whether you fish day or night on this lake you are really missing out if at some time you do not fish with some type of topwater lure. This can mean fishing with some very weedless lures in the weeds or targeting cruising bass in open water, around weeds, wood and rock cover.

FROGS AND RATS
First on my list for targeting bass in the weeds would be either a hollow bodied frog or a rat featuring a trailing skirt with two upturned hooks. Or one of today's new soft bodied frogs with one inserted 5/0 hook. With so many weeds on Lay Lake, anglers should always have one of these lures tied on, preferably on 20 pound test monofilament line or braided line in the 30-40 pound test category, fished on a long 6 1/2 foot to 7 1/2 foot rod. Flipping rods work great.

* NOTE - Always sharpen your hooks or buy frogs and rats with sharp, quality hooks.

Hook sets are important. You can miss these bass exploding on your topwater frogs and rats, if you do not allow the bass a few seconds to inhale these topwater lures, before setting the hook. Colors of white, green, pumpkinseed, brown or chartreuse may be needed during the day. At night, stick with darker colored frogs like black, brown or dark green or fish hollow bodied frogs with contrasting colored skirts. You can also insert rattles in these frogs ands rats for aiding the bass in finding these lures within the weeds.

Retrieves vary. Each an every angler swears by his own special retrieve. Short hops, with a steady cadence, allows the bass to track down the lure better and aids it in homing in for the kill. Or for bass lying in wait, it allows them to ready themselves, rather than trying to home in a fast, erratic retrieved frog or rat. Some soft bodied frogs, those fished with one inserted upturned hook, actually sound like a buzzbait when retrieved fast across the waters surface. One tip; Fish slow and be ready on every cast.

* Frogs and Rats are not only fished in and around Lay lakes weeds, but they can be skipped up under piers and boat houses or even fished right up on the face of deep rock bluffs, for some very explosive strikes this summer, strikes other anglers fail to entice.

BUZZBAITS AND SPINNERBAITS
Most anglers know buzzbaits are weedless topwater lures and they can be fished on the waters surface, right up in the weeds. But so can spinnerbaits, of which most anglers fish at some time, that are fished right near the waters surface. I would suggest a trailer hook on both of these lures for short striking bass.

Although at times bigger is better, smaller lures get more strikes in clear water and in highly pressured areas. Always try smaller buzzbaits and small profiled spinnerbaits. Chatter baits and other imitations of this vibrating, inline spinnerbait, fall in this category as well. Like most topwaters fished in and around weeds and wood cover the use of strong line is suggested.

SOFT JERKBAITS, FLOATINGS WORMS AND LIZARDS
There many weedless lures that can be rigged with one hook. Soft jerkbaits come in all shapes and sizes. Most soft jerkbaits resemble baitfish like shad. Floating worms have air injected into them when poured and they attract big bass as well in and around weeds and wood cover on Lay Lake. Line test of 12-15 pounds is suggested with these lures.

One lure that can be fished on bottom with a weight, or made to slowly fall with very little added weight, or fished weightless right up in the weeds, is a lizard. You can add rattles, fish attractants, or even dye the legs and tails of these lures for added appeal. Fishing a lizard with a slow, steady retrieve (similar to that of a buzzbait), while rigged weightless and cast among the weeds, is a deadly tactic for big bass on Lay lake.

* With all three of these lures setting the hook, after you feel the bass or when the lure disappears, will result in more hook ups and fewer lost bass.

SWIM BAITS
Although swim baits are simply oversized soft plastic shad imitations, that many anglers have fished for years, for some anglers the newer oversized Swim Baits are a new tool recently added to their arsenal. There are various sizes, a rainbow of very realistic colors, enticing built in swimming actions, and even various types of shad imitations and bream imitations to choose from.

Some of today's swim baits feature a big, inserted hook. Some have a built in treble hook. While other swim bait models have both a treble hook and a single hook. Some swim baits fall slow while others sink fast, when not steadily retrieved. Which usually results in the most strikes.

Fishing swim baits along Lay lakes weed lines can be a deadly tactic for fooling big bass cruising the weed edges, bass that do not see many of these types of over sized offerings. Heavy line of at least 20 pound test is suggested. Fish swim baits with long casts on long, 6-8 foot rods and employ a very slow and steady retrieve at all times. If you miss a bass, just keep slowly reeling, for many big bass return for a second or even third strike, before actually inhaling the swim bait.

These are just a few lures for fishing Lay lakes weedy waters this summer season. All of the aforementioned lures will work day or night while fishing on this lake all summer long. Develop a few more on your own. Big worms and lizards, crayfish imitations, jig combos, big tube baits and creature baits, sweet beavers, and small finesse worms all work very well when fishing on or near bottom on Lay Lake. At night, always make plans to fish some lighted piers, around boat houses and around well lit marinas, bridges and causeways, for big summertime bass.

Stumped on Lay lake? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! For fishing Lay Lake or any lake year round throughout Alabama "Over 40 years fishing and guiding on every lake in Alabama."
 

SPRING ON LAY LAKE

Around the end of the winter season, bass tournament trail organizers announce their bass tournament trails and other Alabama fishing tournaments. Many of these are well planned fishing events and the gatherings of anxious anglers at each event can often number over 200 participants. A lot of these bass tournaments take place on Alabama's now world famous, Lay Lake on the Coosa River System.

Recently, in the Sunday, February 18 edition of the Birmingham News, staff writer Mike Bolton gave anglers a chance to decide on the bass tournaments they plan on fishing on Lay Lake (and other Alabama lakes), this spring season. Not only giving bass tournament anglers a chance to win thousands of dollars in money and prizes this spring season but in addition, more bass tournaments are scheduled to be held the rest of the year as well.

Throughout the entire year there is a bass tournament scheduled to be held on some Alabama lake, each week. Mike must be commended I'm sure, for all his research on the many tournaments he listed. Of all these well known bass tournaments, about one fourth of them are scheduled to be held on Lay Lake. Starting the first day of March until the end of the year, all together, I counted 68 bass tournaments. Out of that entire list, 17 of those major bass tournaments are scheduled to be held on Alabama's Lay Lake in 2008.

* Some of the most popular Bass tournaments to be held on Lay Lake this spring are;

* March 1 - Airport Marine Three-in-One Trail. Beeswax launch. Entry fee; $150.00 per boat. First place $3000.00 plus bonuses. Payback to 20 places. See; www.airportmarine.com for more details.

* April 12 - FLW Outdoors - Walmart Bass Fishing League / Bama Division; Launch; Beeswax Creek. Entry fee; $200.00 Pro. See www.flwoutdoors.com for more info.

* May 31 - Serra Toyota / Airport Marine Charity Tournament. Site; Paradise Point Marina at mid lake. Entry fee; $200.00 per boat. Payback; $10,000.00 First place and up to $200.00 for 25th place. Call (205) 664-0407 for details, including how to win a new Toyota truck and a new Bass boat. See; www.airportmarine.com for more details.

* May 10 - Marks Outdoors / The Lay Lake open (500 boats limit, sign up early / See; www.marksoutdoors.com for more info) Paradise Point Marina / mid lake. Buddy tournament First place through tenth place pays $1000.00 each. Entry Fee; $125.00. Pays through 60 places. Prize give aways. Boat given away, furnished by; www.airportmarine.com Call (205) 822-2010 or go to; www.marksoutdoors.com

With so many bass tournaments scheduled to be held on Alabama's Lay Lake, anglers are seeking fishing information on a daily basis. As owner of Reeds Guide Service, Lay Lake's oldest and most well known guide service (see: Bassmaster Magazine Feb. 2007 issue, highlighting Lay Lake's 2007 Bassmasters Classic waters), I get a lot of phone calls, E-mails and loads of requests from anglers from all over the globe, all making plans to fish Lay Lake this spring season. See www.fishingalabama.com

I have guided on Lay Lake for over 30 years. Fished bass tournaments for the last 25 plus years on Lay Lake. You could say, I know this lake. I also know from my many memories, big bass pictures and my many past fishing logs, spring is the best time of the year to be fishing for bass on Lay Lake. Not only for numbers of bass but for targeting some of the year's biggest bass as well, all while fishing in shallow water.

No, not I'm not talking about fishing deep water (although both the Coosa River spotted bass and Lay lake's largemouth bass are there year round), I'm talking about dabbling all your new bass lures in Lay Lake's waters, usually featuring depths of less than five feet. Lay Lake has loads of aquatic weds, many types of rocky habitat for fish to relate to and a variety of wood cover (with many of these types of bass holding cover in water less than 5 feet deep), for anglers to target this spring season.

It is a known fact, no mater what time of the year you fish Lay Lake. It does take certain lures to fish each piece of fish holding cover.

So, from March on into April (and all throughout the merry month of May), these are very catchable bass.That is generally, with today's very knowledgeable bass anglers, - bass that most any angler can fool into biting their tempting offerings. However, lure choices are many (just visit Marks Outdoors in Vestavia, Alabama or see online at; www.marksoutdoors.com) and see how today's lure arsenal can be mind boggling, especially for newer anglers to the sport.

Spring time fishing patterns and various fishing locations are many, especially on Lay lake, with over 50 miles of navigable waters, from dam to dam. Anglers must also take into account such things as the weather, baitfish locations, water temperature, water clarity and even the condition of Lay Lake's various types of aquatic weed growth. These and many other variables can all figure into this springtime excursion, as you seek out both the largemouth bass and the Coosa River spotted bass of Lay Lake.

Without listing every type of lure, various lure colors, lure sizes, lure designs, lure shapes and the ever growing list of today's lure manufactures, I can offer some help. Here's some suggestions for fishing Lay Lake on a month by month basis, for this spring's prespawn bass, spawning bass and post spawn bass. Buying and trying all those new lures is up to you.

MARCH / PRESPAWN BASS
March can be deceiving even for shallow water, prespawn bass. Its all according to the weather. During week long warming trends, even in February and early March, these bass can suddenly move shallow. During severe cold fronts they may move back to the security of deeper water. Or some shallow bass simply bury up in cover or they may just even suspend above irregular bottom features in and around the shallows, until conditions improve.

So like said, check the weather. Not only for the day you plan on fishing Lay lake but take note of the weather about a week prior to your planned trip. This is very important. It gives you a more mental look at the whole, overall picture. Rather than a just plain "feel good" look at the lake, like on warm sunny days, that tell you the bass should be shallow - but often most are not. I did say, most bass.

Lay lake is a very odd lake at times. It must be something in the water. So never completely rule out your "gut feeling" that some bass are catch able in shallow water. Because most of the time, there is! Its just that on some days, especially during tough, early springtime prespawn conditions, there could be a whole bunch of bass located in one lone spot, in or very near the shallows - just waiting for you to discover.

Things such as an all day sunshine warming the shallows can be a big factor in March. Cold nights often linger throughout the month of March. Overnight cold fronts can cool the shallows as much as 10 degrees lower than the preceding evening.

Bass are prisoners of their environment. Their metabolism is slowed somewhat in colder water. So they do not eat as much when the shallows cool. Bass do not expend as much energy during cold front conditions, as they do during periods of warmer water, when the shallows can warm 5-10 degrees in a days time, increasing their energy level from mid day to late evenings.

There are many factors here. Here's a few to ponder, when considering the weather on Lay lake this March.
Does the week long warming trend include both consecutive warm days and warm nights? If so, the water will cool very little each night and it can warm considerably with each passing day. Normal, warm sunny days in early to mid March on Lay lake can warm the shallows 5-7 degrees. As much as 10-20 degrees in one week!

* What about rain and predicted cold fronts? Here's a normal, scenario example;

* There has been a week long, early March warming trend, with unseasonably warm nights and day temperatures in the mid-70's. Water temperatures's have been soaring each day, from 55 degrees to the upper 60's by weeks end. A full moon is only two days away. Bass could be duped into thinking its time to begin their annual cruise towards the shallows. They may begin searching for a mate, maybe even begin preparing an early season bed for reproducing a new year's offspring.

* Note; This is a time when actually, two trips to Lay Lake during this week long warming period, can show an angler really loading the boat.

First. After several warm days and nights these bass are induced to feed heavily with the constantly warming shallows raising their metabolism and providing them with loads of choices on the menu. More bass are in the shallows and more to eat on the menu.

Second. Warming water not only excites the predator, but induces the prey to get more active as well. So baitfish, minnows, crayfish, worms, lizards, frogs, insects and small snakes emerge as well as spring progresses. Meaning a bass is more likely to hit your lures, a variety of those lures - that simulate these rather easy-to-catch meals.

By the last day of this constant, week long sunshine period, these prespawn bass have gorged themselves. Then clouds and another rainy front moves in, before its back to being "off the feed" for a few more days, as another cold front approaches. We anglers often call it, "lock jaw."

So always keep in mind, most approaching rainy fronts in March, bring a very warm day and warm night, at least for a day or two. As it blows through and the rain ceases, high winds follow, coupled with bright, sunshine and then an anglers nightmare...another bright, bluebird day. A cold front moves in and once again, the bass are shut down for a few days.

Best places for early season bass? Its all according to other factors. Heavy rains can bring muddy water, creating a mud flow in major tributaries on Lay lake. Places you were catching bass in all week can be downright fishless during these times. So anglers begin their search for clearer water. This may be main lake flats, but not those right below the mouths of major feeder creeks. Usually the best places following several days of heavy rain is the mid to lower lake area during March and April.

APRIL / SPAWNING BASS
No, this is not about fooling bedding bass. Its about what to expect on Lay Lake in April when most bass are bedding or in shallow water feeding. You see, contrary to popular belief, not all Lay Lake bass bed at the same time. After all, do all female human beings have babies on the same day?

Bass are triggered to find a mate, build a bed for their newly hatched egg offspring and reproduce each spring season...all by their surroundings. Warm water or cold water, moon faze, water clarity, even bottom composition and an available food source nearby, can often dictate their final choice for bedding purposes. So look around in April. Lay lake's river-like headwaters may have spotted bass and largemouth bass not yet spawning, just eating. While mid to lower lake bass are bedding.

Mid Lay lake could have clearer water, more available baitfish and much more suitable conditions for spawning bass found along main lake flats, flats in creeks and especially pockets and small cuts off the main lake (of which will muddy up less following heavy rains), places that many anglers ignore. Including, new growing aquatic weeds.

Lower Lay lake could have weeds, stumps and rocks with late spawning bass nearby in late April, often on into early May. This is due to deeper water on the lakes lower section cooling slower and these are the last places bass bed in spring on Lay Lake. It could also be the clearest water in the lake following heavy rain. Keep in mind. One thing about clear water, it warms slower than stained water during the spring.

Warming water brings greener weeds in April on Lay Lake. This oxygen-rich environment is the home of Lay lake's shallow weed dwelling largemouth bass. These weeds provide security for most male and female bass in the shallows as they await a chance to bed. While holding along these weeds near a bed or even during post spawn times after bedding, they are very susceptible to your lures.

Anglers can fool these weed dwelling bass, that can often result in some of Lay lake's biggest bass of the year. Look for the greenest weeds early in the season for the most active bass and usually the bigger more dominant bass, that move in these weeds early in April. Also bring along a good net and net man.

MAY / POST SPAWN BASS
By now most anglers that frequent Lay Lake will agree. May is the best month to be on Lay Lake. Consistent action, big, hungry bass in the shallows coming off the beds and most big bass are way out of out of their normal character - acting very foolish while hitting topwater lures, spinnerbaits and weedless lures like frogs, rats, floating worms and lizards, soft jerkbaits and buzzbaits, including loads of lures fished on or near bottom. Often these bass of May attack your lures with a vengeance. Sharp hooks and strong line are suggested.

Maybe at some time during the spawn, these big female bass have a brief memory of one of these little prey irritating them or trying to eat their eggs and now...its pay back time!

Not only is May feeding time for the bass (before bass return to deeper water, bury up in thick, summertime weeds or suspend along the shallows for the summer), before spawning season comes to an end, but it is also feeding time for predators that feed on these bass. No not birds and alligators, I'm talking about man. By May every angler, boater and even jet ski will be on the water once again, so safety becomes the factor, instead of spawning bass. May is also when two of Lay lake's biggest bass tournaments are held.

* Our Lakes will be very crowded with tournaments, anglers and boaters as it warms. Be careful, be courteous and have a safe spring and upcoming summer this year.
 

 Winter on Lay Lake

Impounded 1914
Lake level: Down 2 feet (winter normally, at full pool)

Winter on Lay Lake

This time last year B.A.S.S. 2007 Lay Lake Bassmaster's Classic qualifiers were anticipating the upcoming 2007 Bassmasters Classic scheduled to be held on Alabama's Coosa River impoundment Lay Lake. They were not disappointed, especially Alabama's Boyd Duckett that eventually won this world renowned fishing event, featuring the worlds best bass anglers. This was the first time a Bassmasters Classic contender has won the Bassmasters Classic while competing on his home state waters. Boyd's 48 pounds and 10 ounces of hard earned bass only outdistanced the eventual second place finisher Skeet Reese of California, by only a mere 6 ounces.

Prior to that 2007 Bassmaster's Classic, the senior editor of Bassmasters Magazine (Ken Duke), gave me a call and asked for my opinion on fishing Alabama's Lay Lake during the winter month of February. I was honored. When he told me I would be the featured fishing guide for the Bassmaster's Classic Lay Lake waters and that they were planning on featuring me in their February, 2007 edition of Bassmaster magazine, highlighting the upcoming 2007 Bassmasters Lay Lake Classic, I was even more honored. I knew my valued opinion would be read by thousands of Bassmaster Magazine subscribers and in addition, every word in this interview would be scrutinized by each and every one of the 2007 Bassmaster Classic contenders.

So I asked myself, "just what is Alabama's Lay Lake really like during the winter season?" I came up with, Good and Tough. Good on days, like when several consecutive days of warm weather triggers bass to feed and move shallow. Tough during those cold, miserable days when wintertime conditions such as 20 degree mornings (usually following several days of severe cold fronts), make you wish you had stayed at home. Its all about the weather.

Conditions during the practice period for this 2007 Bassmasters Classic were very deceiving. Cold fronts, cold mornings, cold water temps in the upper 40's and stained to muddy water conditions gave very little Classic contenders any confidence building patterns. Especially with the Classic only a few days away. But a turn for the better occurred the week of the Classic and a sudden warming trend shot the lakes water temperatures (in the mid to lower lake), up 10 degrees in some places, inducing bass to feed and move shallow.

Of which Boyd Duckett adjusted and made the best of, including catching 19 pounds 4 ounces the first day and having two of the daily "big bass awards" with a 8 pound 2 ounce monster on day one and a very important Classic winning bass, a 6 pound 9 ounce largemouth bass, caught during the last hour of the last day of the 2007 Bassmasters Classic. Two huge bass, weighing in the 6-8 pound weight class, were what it took to win that Classic for Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Alabama. Of course lure selection, places he fished and a lot of confidence in his own abilities and his hourly decisions were included in this Bassmasters Classic winning strategy.

All of these Bassmasters Classic contenders were using various patterns and fishing different lures and locations on Alabama's 12,000 acre Lay Lake, to fool both largemouth bass and the Coosa River breed of spotted bass. Various lures, individual techniques and several big bass patterns were all developed by the last day's top 5 anglers, following that week long warming trend. Suddenly changing conditions, showed 5 bass limits had to average 15 pounds or better daily to eventually show a Bassmasters Classic contender win or even have a chance of making the top 5.

Some of these "Top 5" 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic contenders fished the lakes headwaters. Most of these seasoned Classic contenders were targeting spotted bass and even a few were fooling an occasional largemouth bass into biting. These "Lay lake headwaters bass" are usually induced to feed due to the current, which is created from the discharge waters coming off of upstream Logan Martin Lake dam. These current oriented bass hang around wood cover, rocks, boulders, and any irregular bottom feature generally in water less than 10 feet deep.

Some of the eventual "top 5" Bassmasters Classic contenders mixed it up (Like Boyd), trying for a good confidence building limit of bass early and then spending the rest of each Classic day targeting big bass, expecting only a few bites. With 47 nautical miles of water to choose from and a lake that features many feeder creeks and a shoreline of over 289 miles, these Classic contenders had to decide if they the should stay put and thoroughly fish one area, or as they say, "run and gun" hitting every possible fish holding location they can in each days time.

See my website: www.fishingalabama.com for some up to date wintertime tips I can offer after fishing (and winning), weekly bass tournaments for over 20 years and guiding on Alabama's Lay Lake for over 30 years. Here's the 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic " top 5 " winning patterns, fishing locations, winning lures and various techniques it took to win...or as some say, "almost win" the 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic. Perhaps some of these tips will help you when you encounter the same conditions (or similar conditions) while fishing Alabama's Lay Lake during this winter season.

* Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Alabama was a Classic rookie. He qualified for this 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic through fishing the Bassmaster's Southern Tour Division. His, "stay put" strategy, called for fishing nearby in the mid lake region. He targeted spotted bass in shallow flats only a mile from the Paradise Point Marina take-off site in nearby Kelly Creek. Fishing with a 1/2 ounce Rayburn red colored Bill Lewis rattletrap lipless lure got him a limit of bass each morning.

Boyd ended up fishing a much bigger feeder creek situated right across the lake. Cedar Creek paid off, giving up a few of his biggest bass topping off each morning's 5 spotted bass limit. His big bass lure of choice was a 4 inch Berkely Chigger Craw, Texas rigged and flipped in and around weedy, creek backwater banks. This Classic contender entered this Classic with an open mind and threw out all practice period notions and it paid off handsomely for Boyd Duckett, 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic Champion.

* Skeet Reese of California placed second in the 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic, missing a Classic win by only 6 ounces, right behind Boyd Duckett. After him exclaiming to have had a terrible practice period with only a couple of bass, Skeet's confidence level was very low going into this Classic. Fishing the lakes headwaters during competition he decided to just go fishing and fish his strengths and it almost paid off.

Skeet brought in 5 bass limits each day weighing 17 1/2 pounds, 14-14 and 15-14. Ironically some of Skeet's bass came on the same lure Boyd used. A Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw. Included in Skeet's arsenal was a shallow running crankbait labled, a S.K.T. Mini MR made by Lucky Craft. Skeet Reese targeted laydown trees in Lay lakes headwaters fishing 3-6 feet of water in the main lake current.

* Kevin Van Dam, boy how many times have you seen or heard that name in fishing? Its said, "if Kevin is on your heels, then you had better watch out!" Like Skeet Reese of California, Kevin Van Dam of Michigan almost won this 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic, placing third overall. Targeting mid to lower lake creek mouth weed lines, Kevin brought in a decent sack of bass on day one weighing 13 pounds. Day two as usual, Kevin Van Dam figured them out, bringing in 19 pounds 14 ounces of bass, including a 5-7 largemouth bass that got big bass of the day honors.

His third day sack of bass is what hurt his chances of winning this Bassmasters Classic, weighing only 12 pounds and 5 ounces, for a three day total of 45-4. Like Boyd, Kevin fooled some of his bass daily on lipless lures. Using a 1/2 ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad lipless lure and a Strike King flat shad crankbait as well, Kevin fooled some of his bass fishing weed lines in 3 feet of water. Falling water levels on day three scattered his more quality bass bites and only smaller bass were biting for Kevin on that last day.

* Terry McWilliams. Who? Unlike the name Van Dam, this lesser known Bass Federation angler made a real show and made people recognize another Bass Federation Classic Contender. Posting a first day limit of 5 bass weighing 15-9, a second day weight of 12-4 and a last day charge with 5 bass weighing 17-6, Terry McWilliams of Indiana ended the 2007 Bassmasters Classic in 4th place with weight of 45-3. And he did it fishing a very obvious "community hole" and doing it with one lure. Fishing the warm discharge waters of Wilsonville steam plant with a tube bait named, "The Honey Creek Tackle Stupid Tube" rigged Texas style, fishing rocks and boulders along main river drops, right below the warm water discharge.

* Gary Klein from Weathorford, Texas is a well know Bassmaster pro, having fished 25 Bassmasters Classic's. He is also known to be deadly with a flipping stick in hand. Klein started this 2007 Lay Lake Classic with a respectable sack of flipped up bass weighing 11-6 putting him in 30th place on day one. On the strength of one lure. Using a 3/8 ounce green pumpkin football head jig combo, he brought in a weight of 17-5 to move into 6th place on day two.

Klein had another good day bringing in 5 bass weighing 15-10 on the last day of this 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic. But it was only good for fifth place and a total 3 day weight of 44-5. He was the only "top 5" contender that fished deep water of 12-30 feet in the Spring Creek area. Some of Klein's bass came out of deep water featuring standing timer, and other bass were caught around piers when the water warmed at midday.

So there you have it, this is how these 2007 Bassmaster Classic contenders caught their bass and placed in the eventual "top 5" in the 2007 Lay Lake Bassmasters Classic. Think you can do as well this winter season? If not, give me a call. Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133. "Over 30 Years tournament fishing and guiding on Alabama's Lay Lake." Several guides available year round. See my website: www.fishingalabama.com for more fishing tips, fishing articles and loads of fishing info for all of Alabama's Lakes.

 

Fall on Lay Lake
(Soon to come, a preview of Lay Lake
for the February, 2007 Bassmasters Classic)

Yes, Lay Lake has again been selected as the site of the Bassmasters Classic. In February, 2007 the worlds best bass anglers will launch out of Paradise Point Marina (205) 669-1515 as they again (this is the third Classic on Lay Lake) compete for this prestigious world title and attempt to figure out Lay Lake's weed dwelling largemouth bass and a very worthy adversary ... the Coosa River Spotted bass.

Lay Lake is a challenge no matter what time of the year you fish it. When you do, if your fishing a bass tournament on Lay Lake, you can count on fishing up against Alabama's best bass anglers. But even the best anglers struggled this past Summer season when the mercury reached 100 degrees several times. Throughout the entire month of August mid to upper ninety degree days were common. The water temperatures in Lay Lakes shallow backwaters were constantly bathed in an all day sunshine with little rain to help cool things down. Water temps were close to ninety degrees by late Summer. Ah, but in comes the cool down period of Fall. Month by month, you will see fishing only gets better as Fall progresses and bass go on a feeding spree lakewide.

September
Looking back, before you look ahead, will tell you what the bass want on your next fishing trip to Lay Lake in September. The weather plays a huge role in September as it influences bass to move from their Summertime haunts to the feeding grounds of Fall. So check back a few days prior to your trip and see what role the weather has played in early September. Rainy fronts turn them on and cold fronts turn them off. Muddy water following a few days of heavy rain should be avoided. The lakes headwaters and small incoming feeder creeks are affected the most by heavy rains. Some creeks will clear up fast, while others will stay muddy for a few days.

Search out the lakes mid to lower end if your trip follows several days of rain. Other than Waxahatchee Creek (that always muddies following heavy rains), most feeders on the lakes lower end will be lightly stained. Spring Creek and Paint Creek on the lakes lower end offer loads of weedy cover, piers, boathouses, rip-rap rocks, wood cover and bottom irregularities such as humps, submerged islands and old roadbeds for anglers to explore. Heavy rains can occur at any time, but they are more frequent during October and November.

Basically the largemouth bass will be around weeds. On Lay Lake that gives an angler more than 50 miles of greenery to decipher where the bass will be. Likely locations will be close to the schools of baitfish that the bass have followed all Summer and they will always be nearby when baitfish are evident. This can mean fishing the weed edges with lures such as buzzbaits, prop baits, pop-r's, zara spooks, sammies and other walking, jerking, popping type topwaters. Topwaters fished right up in the weeds are different from these aforementioned weed grabbing treble hook lures.

Frogs and rats are weedless lures and they now come in all shapes, sizes and colors due their recent popularity with bass anglers nationwide. Buzzbaits can be fished right up in the weeds, but you must keep these irritating lures moving to avoid them rolling over and hanging up. Fish heavy 17-20 pound test line or heavy braided line with these lures to get those big bass out of the weeds fast. As waters cool there is more action ahead for both spotted bass and largemouth bass on Lay Lake.

October
Although there are some big bass caught on Alabama's Lay Lake year round, Fall is my favorite time to fish this lake for some big largemouth bass and trophy sized spotted bass. The cooler it gets the more foolish these big bass get. Without their temperamental attitude (like when spawning) these bass have one thing on their mind before it gets cold. Eating. Fattening up and grabbing every little morsel in sight, these bass will hit a variety of lures this Fall period. Although cool nights and days drop the water temps bass will continue to feed on hapless meals just like the past Summer.

Frogs and small mice hopping and running along Lay Lakes weedy mats have contributed to the days meal for the last 4 months. So the bass down below are used to seeing them and used to eating them. Lures that simulate these frogs and rats are deadly in the weeds in the Fall.

By October the largemouth bass of Lay Lake have dined on a variety of meals. So keep this in mind when deciding on what lures it takes to fool them. Snakes, small worms, lizards, freshwater eels, slugs and leeches have been consumed all summer long. So fishing a variety of lures in various shapes, sizes, colors and lengths, should be experimented with until you get a big bass bite or two. These slithering meals have grown to sizable proportions by the end of Summer so fishing with worms, creature type plastics or lizards, all in lengths of 8-12 inches, may really bring out the big bass from hiding.

When probing weedy holes, edges, lanes and points found within these thick and matted weeds of Lay Lake, you have got to get the lure down in the weeds. Heavy weights or sinkers (1/2 ounce up to 2 ounce size) are a must, including strong hooks, stought equipment such as rods and reels and strong line are all needed for fishing Lay Lakes weeds. Anglers get broke off trying anything less than 20 pound test in the weeds. Finesse fishing may be good along weed edges, but always use the heavy equipment for fishing dead up in the weds, to avoid frustration and lost bass. Jig combos and crayfish imitations are big bass lures in and around these thick and matted weeds.

Besides the weeds there are other places to find bass on Lay Lake. When you get away from the weeds, fishing wood cover, points, rocks and bottom irregularities always mean you will encounter some of Lay Lake's notorious Coosa River spotted bass. These spotted bass known as "spots" are a bass full of fighting fury and they will give any angler a run for his money. This is evident by observing the ones that don't get away. Many trophy sized spotted bass you are fortunate enough to land on Lay Lake either have one eye missing or a ripped or torn mouth that has healed from the last anglers lure it ripped free.

In October fishing the lakes headwaters, just below Logan Martin Lake dam is a good place to encounter feeding spots. Some are small in the 1-2 pound range, but trophy spotted bass exceeding 5 pounds do exist here. Some anglers use small finesse worms on jig heads, or grubs and shad imitations on light tackle outfits. Other anglers target the bigger spotted bass that will often hit oversized topwaters like the Zara Super Spook topwater lure, Norman's DD-22 deep diving crankbaits, oversized jerkbaits or spinnerbaits with gaudy oversized trailers. Spotted bass (to many anglers surprise) will be found in feeder creeks on Lay Lake in the Fall as well as main lake spots. They also prefer to hang around creek mouths, the mouths of small cuts and pockets, the upper and lower ends of islands and around rip-rap rocks found along bridges, causeways and creek culverts. Even piers hold decent sized spotted bass on Lay Lake. They especially like the deep, rocky bluff type banks and deep main river timbered points during the Fall period.

November
Like said, Fall is my favorite time of year to fish for largemouth bass and trophy sized spotted bass on Alabama's Lay Lake. But as late Fall becomes evident, it gets even better and for many reasons. Go to my website: www.fishingalabama.com and click on the "Articles" link seen at the top of the cover page. It will take you to several articles I've wrote. One is called, " 5 bass - 30 pounds on Lay Lake." This very exceptional day all anglers dream of, took place one mid November day while fishing all alone in the rain. You should find it interesting.

There are many reasons why the really big bass of Lay Lake bite so well in November and early December, before it gets really cold. One is the lake is void of fishing pressure, of which exists almost year round on this Lake, which is now over 90 years since impoundment in 1914. Bass tournaments are held weekly on Lay Lake. But by November most tournament trails are at an end. Most anglers do not fish the colder it gets, so November shows the beginning of less anglers on the water. Football season, kids back in school, and deer hunting keeps other would be anglers off the water as well. Holidays and bad weather keep the rest away. So on many weekdays you can have the places you normally fish with lots of company...all to yourself!

Sneaking in these places without the bass detecting your presence, can now be accomplished and your fishing is not interrupted by other anglers idling their boats close by and spooking these bass. All it takes is a little stealth and you can get into the years biggest bag of bass on Lay Lake in November and early December.

So fish Lay Lake this Fall season, but be prepared for a lonely trip when the Fall period comes to an end and Winter begins. The Lake can be void of anglers, all except for those that know, during Winter. Winter warming trends do occur and some really big bass get shallow as they are duped into thinking its time for an early spawn. Just like what might happen when the worlds best bass anglers converge on Lay Lake for the February 2007 Bassmasters Classic.

The next report for Lay Lake's Winter fishing will feature tips and techniques for fishing Lay Lake when it gets cold, tips that may aid you or these anglers competing in this world renowned Bassmasters Classic Championship.

Need help fishing Alabama's Lay Lake? Reed Montgomery, owner of Reeds Guide Service is Lay Lake's most well known and oldest professional bass guide service. Reed has won more tournaments (See Reed's biography by clicking on the "About" link on the top of the cover page on www.fishingalabama.com) and taken more big bass awards on Lay Lake, than any other Lake he fishes statewide. Give him a call or e-mail Reed at his website: www.fishingalabama.com.
 

This Report Provided by:
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service
Call: Reed Montgomery - (205) 787-5133
alabassgyd@aol.com

BOAT LAUNCHES ON LAY LAKE:

Downriver - LAYPORT MARINE - WAXAHATCHEE CREEK

THE NARROWS - PUBLIC LAUNCH - BOZO'S - AND LACOOSA LAUNCH

Mid-Lake - OKOMO'S LAUNCH - CEDAR CREEK LAUNCH - PARADISE POINT MARINA

Upriver - YELLOW LEAF CREEK LAUNCH AT WILSONVILLE STEAM PLANT -

AND THE PUBLIC LAUNCH JUST BELOW LOGAN MARTIN DAM.

Motels, restuarants and fishing tackle are available in the nearby towns of Clanton, Wilsonville and Columbiana. Also around Interstate I-65 going south, from Birmingham to Montgomery.

Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Birmingham Alabama (205) 787-5133
"Over 30 years fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@AOL.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com