LAY LAKE / SUMMER
By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787- 5133
"Over 30 Years Fishing Alabama's Lakes For Bass and Stripers"
COOSA RIVER / LAY LAKE
Impounded 1914
Lake Level: Full Pool
Water Temperature: Upper 80's
It was in the late 60's when I first wet a hook, on Alabama's Lay Lake. Unknown to me at the time, the lake had just been re-impounded in the early 60's, raising the lakes water level another 16 feet. Stick ups, standing timer and hundreds of precut stumprows, were left for fish-holding cover, as the lake rose and the bass invaded the newly flooded shallows.
Ironically, fishing for bass on Lay Lake, is just as good today as it was back then, over 30 years ago. I've acquired a wealth of knowledge fishing this lake, guiding clients from all over the world, for over thirty years. I've won dozens of major bass tournaments and pocketed many a check, from Lay Lake's weed-infested waters.
During any trip fishing on Lay Lake, I've always enjoyed the chase for the ever-elusive antic's, of Lay Lake's Largemouth Bass. I've also had my share of, heart-shaking experience, doing battle with the mighty, Coosa River Spotted Bass. Which most avid anglers will agree, is second to none.
Late summer is a very trying time for all anglers. Even those with years of experience. Whether its just fishing, or competing in a bass tournament, Lay Lakes late summer doldrums, can throw you a curve ball. Even the most experienced anglers of Lay Lake, struggle during these times.
There are too many variables, that change from day to day, that reposition the bass (particularly individual largemouth bass), living in and among the weeds. This goes for the spotted bass to, often labeled, "here today gone tomorrow bass."
Knowing where to fish, when to be there, what to throw, how to present each individual offering, in an enticing manner, is what it takes to get quality bites on Lay Lake. This especially holds true when the temperatures reach their peak, during the late August early September period.
Where to fish? Boy, what are some "guides" thinking? Telling every reader (on this Lake, or any Lake report), one or two particular spots, and what they caught em' on, does no one any good. Especially when hundreds of determined anglers, later converge on one very small spot, or a certain, confined area of the Lake, hoping for the exact same results, as the writer had.
But suggesting what to look for (many areas with similar characteristics), can narrow it down and spread out the choices, for the hundreds of readers, that depend on these reports for fishing information. Not because, experienced guides like myself want to keep "Honey Holes" all to their selves. If you are an experienced guide, and have fished long enough, this should never be a problem.
The Largemouth's on Lay Lake can be hard to pinpoint on any given trip. In past summer season's, anglers that probe deep within the many miles of Lay's weedy banks, have had phenomenal success. They return next summer, but often bomb out.
Things change. Last year, the almost unbearable scorching summer sun climbed, midday temperatures were close to the 100 degree mark. Many anglers simply went night fishing or hung up their rods to watch sports on Television, in the cool air condition.
But for some determined anglers, that braved the heat, many surprisingly found the shallow water bass of Lay cooperated. Most anglers that knew, kept the shallow water bite all to themselves. Even during those low, 90 degree water temperatures, bass were caught in less than two feet of very shady water, on a variety of lures from top to bottom.
During the late summer period, bass have become conditioned to the heat, most adapt very well on Lay Lake. This is when shade, current, cooler water and thick, green, matted weeds all play a huge role, in where to fish. Shade, means looking for spots that bass can hide in security, without the bright, summer sun giving away their location.
This can be wood, weed or rock cover. Piers, boat houses, marinas, bridges, over hanging trees or bushes, and of course thick weeds, all offer shade. Shady banks can be found all along the main river, or far up in the many dozens of tributaries, Lay Lake has to offer.
These shady spots provide security and are often many degrees cooler than surrounding waters. Hot summer days, mean timing your fishing location, as the sun gets higher. For your comfort and a much better chance at catching more active bass. This pattern, can show bass biting on the Lakes eastern side, early to late mornings, and from midday to late evenings, on the Lakes western side.
Shade, combined with current, and weedy areas that provide lots of oxygenated water, is an excellent choice for finding big bass, and big schools of bass, both largemouth's and spotted bass. During water generation, main lake weedy points, provide all of these comfortable requirements.
The same goes for the mouths of creeks, small cuts and pockets and the upper and lower ends of islands. These same places can have stumps, standing timber, lay down trees and brush piles. Wood cover, that provides excellent ambush spots, just out of the current.
Rocks, boulders and bluff-type banks, are all excellent places to find schools of bass, all summer long. By late summer, these places have become regular stop-off spots for cruising bass, or huge schools of bass seeking refuge from the swift current, during water generation.
Lay Lake has these rocky features from one end of the lake, to the lakes headwaters. Water generation plays a huge roll during summer. Bass are very active, even during hot, midday fishing trips, as long as there is water generation.
Along rock bluffs there are many features that attract both the baitfish and bass during these times of moving water. Points extruding out from rock bluffs, always deserve a few casts. Baitfish seek the shelter of eddy areas, out of the current on these points.
Fan casting these bluff points, with lures such as crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, rattletraps and spinnerbaits, simulate the baitfish they feed on here. Fast, erratic, stop-and-go retrieves, with these lures, trigger more strikes than a slow, steady retrieve.
Even when there is no evident current, bass holding on these bluff points cruise the scattered boulders, rocks and irregular bottom features, looking for easy-to-catch meals. This is when lures, such as deep divers, Texas and Carolina-rigged worms, lizards and crayfish imitations, Jig combos and tube baits, retrieved on or near the bottom, are good choices.
See my website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com for current lake reports, lake levels, water generation schedules, fishing tips, links, articles and more on my guide service.
This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
"Over 30 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com