Lay Lake

As the mercury rises, so do the bass. Especially when its a well placed offering, cast among the weedy waters of mid-Alabama's Lay Lake. Situated near the towns of Columbiana and Clanton, this age old lake, has survived the test of time. Lay Lake features 48 navigable miles in length and is bordered by upper Lake Logan Martin and lower Coosa River Impoundment, Mitchell Lake.

It is the fourth lake, in a series of six, man-made Impoundment's, built and controlled by Alabama Power Company, flowing from north to south Alabama, on the Coosa River system. Lay Lake was impounded in 1914.

Fishing this Lake this summer, is not for the faint hearted. Bass fishing with weedless lures, targeting the many varieties of aquatic weeds found on Alabama's Lay Lake, can generate some heart-stopping strikes.

The explosive antics of Lay Lake's largemouth bass, create some very memorable scenes, many never forgotten. Hidden down below (often buried deep within the thick canopy of grass), these lure-conditioned bass, can be selective at times. Largemouth Bass in the 5-10 pound range do exist on Lay Lake, but they don't just carelessly strike at any passerby.

These bass spend most of their lives in and among the hundreds of miles of aquatic weeds, that line Lay Lake's 289 miles of shoreline. They have seen (and been hooked by), many tempting morsels, created by man. Many largemouth's are born, live and die, within this green, green grass, they call home.

This goes for the Coosa River Spotted bass as well. They don't reach the proportions of their huge cousins the largemouth, but these "spots" (as many anglers call them), make up for their diminutive size, with a fighting fury, that many anglers never forget. Many Lay Lake regulars claim, these spotted bass are much harder to fool than the acclaimed lazy, largemouth bass.

But, even the big bass of both species, soon forget the unfortunate sting of a hook. These trophy bass (so many anglers are seeking), can be fooled with an array of lures, even during summertime's grueling conditions. Here are a few tips and lure suggestions for both day and night fishing Lay Lake this summer.

DAYTIME BASS FISHING LAY LAKE

Not only do the anglers of Lay Lake fish weedless topwaters in the upper water column of Lay Lake's aquatic weeds, but many anglers probe deep within the weeds with a variety of lures. Fishing under the hot summer sun, despite your technique or lure choice, takes plenty of patience (including plenty of sunscreen and fluids) when targeting these bass.

Being on the water at dawn helps bring some relief from the heat. Its much cooler and the bass bite better. During the early morning hours, topwaters always generate a few explosive strikes. Buzzbaits, such as the Boogerman brand, with a head knocking blade, attract the "Bigger Bass Bites." Another favorite of mine is, "The Rippler Buzzbait" (www.RIPPLER.com or 1-800-TOP-LURE).

The object, when fishing with buzzbaits, is to cover a lot of water fast and get the most strikes, from the most active bass. At dawn (or during late evenings), is when anglers should attempt to create as much noise and water disturbance as possible with these lures.

This situation calls for choosing louder model buzzbaits, that irritate these feeding bass, cruising the shallows, into striking. This fish-attracting noise, allows the bass a better chance to home in on the intruder, tracking them down with ease.

During the day, when its very hot, some bass in the shallows are skittish and can be turned off by a noisy buzzbait. This may call for downsizing your lures or choosing smaller buzzbaits, with smaller, less water disturbing blades. Best colors are white, chartreuse and white, chartreuse and black, chartreuse and blue, or on rainy or cloudy days, an all black buzzbait. Always include trailer hooks and sharpen all hooks for short striking bass.

When it comes to making noise, there are many topwaters that attract the ever elusive bass of Lay Lake. One of my favorites is, "The Zara Spook." Now manufactured by Pradco Lures (www.LURENET.com), they come in five sizes. The Excalibur, "Signature Series Zara Spooks," have become very popular among Lay Lake regulars.

There are the smaller versions, "the Zara Pup and the Zara Pooch," and the old reliable, the regular, two-hook model, "Zara Spook." Anglers can fish these smaller versions on light line (in the 10-14 pound test category) and with small tackle outfits. Open-faced reels are suggested, to aid anglers in walking the lure.

When looking to offer the bigger bass species of Lay Lake, a little bit bigger meal, my favorite spook is the three-hook, Jimmy Houston, signature series "Super Spook." There is also a two-hook model, "the Baby Super Spook." I suggest fishing these heavier spooks with strong monofilament line, on a short handled rod or medium heavy, pistol grip rod, with monofilament line in the 17-20 pound test category. You do get some, "Big Bass strikes" when fishing with these bigger model spooks.

Zara Spooks come in a wide range of colors. Keep in mind, when choosing colors, the forage the bass are feeding on. If targeting bass among the weeds, then a frog color may be needed. Or when schooling bass are present, a baitfish or shad colored spook may work best. When bream beds are spotted, a bream colored spook may be the ticket to getting bit. Always have several colors on hand.

All sizes of these walking type lures, are adorned with weed grabbing, dangling trebles and usually thought of as a more, open water type of lure. But any of these spooks (or other walking or popping type lures) can be finessed in and among the weedy edges, throughout the small lanes, and around small patches of weeds found lake wide.

Lucky Craft Lures (www.luckycraft.com) has their version of a walking-type topwater lure. Its called the "Sammy" and it comes in three sizes, called the 85, 100 and 115 series. Best colors are the Tennessee Shad, Aurora Black, Ghost Pearl Lemon and the Chartreuse Shad. They also have a popping-type lure called the G-Splash, available in the same colors as the Sammy.

Fishing Lay Lake's weedy banks, can often evolve into many lure choices, various lure sizes and many colors to choose from. This lengthy list should always include floating worms such as, Zoom's Trick Worms, found in colors of white, pink, lime, limetreuse, yellow or the new mixed swirl patterns.

Soft jerkbaits head the list of Lay Lakes bassin' regulars and there are many lure company's and choices to decide on. Sizmic Lures, made in Alabama, have their version called the "Flu-go" a soft plastic jerkbait, with fish attracting action. Colors of pearl, smokin' shad, camouflage, golden shiner, glimmer shad and alewife are proven favorites. Always use a 3/0 to 5/0 hook with these thick bodied lures, to ensure hook penetration and to get a good hook set. Line in the 12-14 pound test category is suggested.

SUMMER NIGHT FISHING LAY LAKE

The list goes on, for many lure choices. The same lures mentioned for daytime use, can be fished at night on Lay Lake. Included in this list of, "after dark arsenals" are spinnerbaits, worms, lizards, jig combos, crayfish imitations and tube baits.

Spinnerbaits, such as the Pro Vibe model made by Davis Lure Company, should include oversized willowleaf blades of # 5 to # 8 in sizes of 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce. These are good for slow-rolling or dropping at night. Single, Colorado blade models emit the most vibration and provide the best feel at night.

This also goes for B&G Bait Companies ,"The Deuce" duel arm design spinnerbait. Twice the blades (four), means twice the action, flash, vibration and a better feel, when fishing these new spinnerbaits, made right here in Alabama, after dark. Darker colors of black, black/blue, black/red and black/chartreuse are best seen by the bass looking up for a darker silhouette at night.

Lighted areas, found throughout Lay Lake around piers, boat houses and marinas, are good choices to begin your search for these nocturnal bass. These are just a few suggestions for fishing Lay Lake. Try em', or discover a few of your own, when targeting Lay Lake's fighting bass, found hidden among its weedy banks, this summer.