PHOTO BY JODY WHITE
Looks good right ? Lake Lay ’ s numerous backwaters are full of aquatic vegetation and should see plenty of angling action .
“ I ’ ve lived 15 minutes or less from the lake my whole life ,” Connell said . “ It ’ s the lake where I caught my first spotted bass . It ’ s a good lake , but it ’ s not my favorite lake on the Coosa because of how it sets up . The fishing is excellent , but Lay doesn ’ t set up fish with the current the same as Jordan and Mitchell , which is how I like to fish on the Coosa .”
While it might not be his favorite on the Coosa chain , Connell believes Lay will make for a prime championship venue because of the diverse opportunities offered by the lake .
“ It will be an awesome lake because it ’ s so dynamic and there are so many ways to catch fish ,” he said . “ We ’ ll see guys doing everything , and the timing should be perfect . It depends on the weather , but the middle of March is the time to fish around here .”
PHOTO BY COBI PELLERITO
Head looking to make more history
New to REDCREST in 2024 is a collegiate angler competing alongside the top pros . The timing couldn ’ t be better for the University of Montevallo ’ s Dalton Head , as Lay Lake isn ’ t far from his Moody , Alabama , hometown and is a fishery he knows well .
Along with partner Peyton Harris , Head won the 2023 College Fishing National Championship at Lake Toho . The victory qualified both for November ’ s Toyota Series Championship , where they battled for a REDCREST berth . Head overcame mechanical issues to best Harris and punch his ticket to Lay Lake , something he still hasn ’ t had time to process .
“ It all happened so fast ; we won the National Championship , and then we were at Table Rock Lake for the Toyota Championship , and now I ’ m in RED- CREST ,” he said . “ That event had me down and bummed out because I went through three boats , which included a blown powerhead and broken trolling motor . To still be able to qualify for REDCREST , I couldn ’ t believe it , especially since it ’ s on one of my home lakes .”
Head spends a lot of time competing in local events on Lay when he ’ s not on the road . Even though REDCREST will mark a significant step up in class for the 21-year-old , he has to be considered a contender .
“ Being the first collegiate angler in REDCREST means a lot ; it ’ s almost too good to believe ,” said Head . “ The field is stacked , and the names fishing it are scary , but I ’ m there to have fun . Plus , I have nothing to lose and can leave everything out there and try to do my best .”
How ’ s Lay fishing ?
Given its proximity to the bass fishing stronghold of Birmingham , Lay and the other lakes on the Coosa chain get plenty of fishing pressure . Still , they continue to produce . Connell said Lay , especially , is fishing very well as of late .
“ It ’ s been good — the best on the Coosa over the past few years , for sure ,” he said . “ It ’ s a lake that will generally take 20 pounds of largemouth to win in a five-fish format at local tournaments . Most of the time if you ’ re chasing spotted bass you ’ re fishing for 6th or 7th place , and I ’ ve been there and done that . But things will be a little different with the everyfish-counts format , and both species might play .”
Head also sang the praises of Lay Lake . He said it ’ s a fishery that has stayed consistent in recent memory , and there ’ s always a chance for a great day on the water . The biggest variables will likely be the weather and , as a result , where the anglers find the bass in their spawning cycle .
“ Lay has been good for a while , honestly ,” he confirmed . “ Other lakes
32 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024