Coosa River / Lay Lake

By Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

September report for Lay Lake

Water Temps: mid to upper 80's
Lake Level: down 1/2 foot
Water Clarity: clear / main lake and stained / in some creeks from evening rain

Lay Lake's Headwaters
This upper lake region starts just below Logan Martin Lake dam in Lay lakes head waters. Water generation has shown consistent action this summer from bass, especially when current is evident during the day. Current, cooler water, high oxygen content and the availability of baitfish and crayfish, attract bass and many other species of fish to these dam tailrace waters during the late summer and all throughout the fall season.

Even at night (when most anglers do not fish this upper lake area), the fishing for both spotted bass and largemouth's in generally shallow water, less than five feet deep, with lures like topwaters, crankbaits, rattle traps, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and bottom lures such as worms, works just like during the day. As waters begin to cool around late September look for even better bass fishing in these Lay lake headwaters.

Lay Lake Mid-to-lower Lake
Lay lakes feeder creeks are smaller in its mid to upper lake region, much smaller than down river creeks. But these small tributaries are loaded with weeds and wood cover and plenty of late summer / early fall meals, for Lay's resident bass to feed on. Weedless lures such as frogs, rats, big worms and lizards (Texas rigged), and spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, are all good lures for these big late summer early fall bass, both during the day and when night fishing in these creek backwaters.

Many main lake features make up Lay lakes mid-to-lower lake region. During the day the availability of current is the ticket to seeing feeding fish and getting bites along main lake areas. Spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass and white bass, all gather to feed and they can congregate in numbers along the mouths of these smaller mid lake creeks. Also concentrate your fishing around main lake islands (from Hwy. 280 crossing to just below Wilsonville Steam plant), and around any small cuts and pockets, along rock bluffs, all the way to Lay lake dam.

Along main lake flats and nearby river channel drop-offs, these bass feed on hapless baitfish washed in by the current. Shad colored shallow to deep diving crankbaits, lipless lures, worms of all sizes, jig combos, tube baits and finesse fished worms, crayfish imitations, lizards, grubs, etc. are all good lure choices along these spots, as waters begin to cool into fall. Usually taking place around the late September period.

Night fishing gets better as fall creeps in. Lighted areas such as around marinas, bridges, causeways, and public boat launches, hold both recently released tournament caught bass and these lights attract insects, then baitfish and in comes the bass! Night fishing (unknown to many anglers), continues to get better on into the fall season. This is when Lay Lake's waters begin to cool and there is less fishing pressure found lake wide, with most anglers resorting back to day fishing.

For good results, both during the day and night this early fall season, look for schools of baitfish and feeding fish. As winter approaches these Lay lake bass begin to feed heavily and there are always some big bass around these baitfish schools...Big Bass most anglers have not seen all summer long!

Good Fishin'
Reed Montgomery / Outdoor Writer
" Alabama Radio Show Host and Television Host For Over 10 Years "
Owner / Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Birmingham, Alabama
Email: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
" Over 40 Years Fishing, Guiding and Exploring Every Lake in Alabama for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Some Huge, Striped Bass ."