2010 Bassmaster Classic Conditions Update
Coosa River System / Lay Lake
Info furnished by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
Lay Lake (50 miles long)
Impounded 1914
Lake Level: Full Pool
Water Temp: Mid-40's
Water Clarity: Stained - Mid-to-upper lake
Lower lake - clear.
Water Generation Scedule Call: 1-800-lakes-11
Went to Lay lake on New Years Day to start the 2010 winter season off right! To my surprise I caught more laregmouth bass than spotted bass. Usually in cold weather, the spots bite better.
During the day I fished deep rock bluffs, some creek run ins early, and standing timber late in the day. I concentrated my efforts on the mid-to-lower lake, along deep rock bluffs and points leading into small pockets nearby.
After two hours (of a very cold morning in the upper 20's) with no bites, I decided to fish the shallower water in the backs of run-ins. The shallow water was warmer due to recent rain coming in and it was clearing in the far back ends of small feeder streams.
I had a nice largemouth bass follow the 1/2 ounce black and blue jig combo all the way to the boat. I then dropped the lure to the bottom of the five foot depths and he hit. My first bass at around 9 a.m.!
Later another spotted bass followed the jig in, but missed it. So I decided to fish very slow, but be ready when I decided to bring in the jig for another cast...there might be followers!
In all that morning, I had 5 nice bass doing this. Four largemouth bass and one spotted bass. With mid 45 degree water temps I was glad to even get a bite!
Later I decided to fish spinner baits and suspending jerkbaits along deep rock bluffs and around standing timber in the mouths of small cuts and pockest close by.
It paid off with only two bass, but they were good ones! A 3 pound spotted bass hit the spinnerbait as I dropped it to the bottom. Then another spotted bass close to 4 pounds hit the jerkbait in standing timber, fished very, very slow.
Not a bad day with 7 nice bass! Best 5 would have weighed about 13-14 pounds!
NOTE - Vey cold all this week. Sunday- Wednesday morning lows around 15 degrees. High not getting over 45 degrees all week!
Think i'll be home a few days!
Be safe and Good Fishin'
Thanks, Reed Montgomery
