Looking back over last years fishing records I discovered a mid November trip to Lay Lake. A phenomenal day for catching big largemouth bass. All alone, one cold rainy day on November 18, 2003.

Memories of that day lingered in my mind as I had a repeat performance again this past November 18, while fishing on Alabama's Lay Lake. As a matter of fact that very impressive day was so unusual that I had previously wrote an Article about it titled, "5 bass = 30 lbs. Lay Lake" Best Trip this Year. You can see it at the "Articles" Link on my website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

Well, it happened again, ironically on the exact same day this past Thursday, November 18, 2004, while fishing on Lay Lake. The conditions were very similar, even warmer.

The day started out with a cloudy, brisk 58 degree morning. The daytime highs were close to 70 degrees by that evening. No rain all day, but it was cloudy most of the day. The water temperature was 60 degrees and again we had an approaching rainy front predicted for the next 3-4 days. The water clarity was just lightly stained as the lake was clearing up from the prior week's heavy rains statewide.

But that very memorable day on Lay Lake was different in many aspects from the fabulous trip the year before...that took place on the exact same date. Unlike last year's trip, when I spent the entire day fishing alone in an all day pouring down rain, this cloudy day was a much more pleasant day. Although a heavy jacket, toboggan and gloves were worn that morning, it was down to a short sleeved shirt by mid morning.

Not only was this a very pleasant day, but unlike the trip before, I had some pleasant company to share the memory of this fabulous trip with as well. A man by the name of Mr. Maddox that lived near Birmingham, had called me with a somewhat belated "Father's Day Guided Bass Fishing Trip" some loved ones had given him earlier. He was just now finding time to go fishing and I'm sure he's glad he did. He could not have picked a better day.

We started out the day with the one of the most beautiful sunrises I have seen in quite a while. Perhaps an omen of things to come. Unlike the previous mid November outing, that took place in several feeder creeks catching all largemouth bass, last early winter season, I choose a much different location for our day. We started out this memorable day while fishing main lake points and eddy areas out of the swift current, hoping for a good spotted bass bite, of course utilizing topwater lures.

Our first stop showed Mr. Maddox tie into a nice spotted bass on a Pradco / Rebel pop-r topwater lure, only to come off the hook before we could boat it. Although he was somewhat disappointed at losing the first bass of the day, I wasn't. I felt no disgust, for I knew there were more strikes to come on this morning, when all the right conditions showed chances for an excellent topwater bite and lots of action ahead. Little did either of us know what an excellent day of fishing (all angler's dream of) lay ahead.

From that moment on, we hooked and landed several nice spotted bass many in the 2-3 pound range, with one about 4 pounds. After downing another cup of coffee and moving to another spot, we had no doubts our somewhat reluctant move was a good decision.  We stayed on the main lake and discovered bass feeding along flats and holding (along with the baitfish) in small eddy areas out of the swift current. The water generation authorities (1-800-lakes-11) had predicted the water running all day at both upriver and downriver dams.

On our next stop (#2), it was bass after bass on topwater lures. By now I had picked up my trusty Zara Super Spook and joined Mr. Maddox for some very exciting topwater bassing...like its supposed to be. After several spotted bass and a few largemouth's, all hefty sized bass in the 3-4 pound range, Mr. Maddox decided to change over to the Zara Super Spook that was out producing the popper that he had rigged earlier.

But it took no time. He was already rigged and ready after discussing our planned trip earlier. The topwater bite had slowed, but I instinctually knew only temporarily, so we both fished with some Excalibur suspending jerkbaits and each of us caught a few more stragglers, mostly weighing around 3-4 pounds. We could have left right then and went home declaring an excellent day by mid morning. For little did we know what lay ahead on our 3rd stop of the day, unknown to us at the time, our last stop till dark.

Before we left stop number two, we fished it hard, working the same places over and over again, places that had previously produced bass in the 3-4 pound range. The action had slowed, but we still had some nice scattered bites. Still we moved in anticipation of discovering another undisturbed spot.

Again, another move to an area close by, our third stop of the morning, fishing on the main lake, showed it was a good decision...a very good fish catching decision like none that year! So far we had caught around 20 bass, most that looked to weigh from 3-4 pounds each, very few bass that were smaller. We had even put some of the bigger bass in the livewell, for pictures later, when the bite slowed. Thing is, the action on top never did.

There was not a 15 minute period, the rest of the day, where we went without a blow up, a strike, or hooking into a monster and landing spotted bass after spotted bass, with an occasional largemouth bass. We had doubles on several times, both of us battling these very strong bass, mostly feeding in 1-2 feet of water. Mr. Maddox landed a nice largemouth, one looking to weigh about 5 pounds that hit the zara super spook. We both lost several bass bigger than that, including one I lost that looked around 6-7 pounds.

I even had two bass hit the spook at the same time with a rod bending battle and I landed both, a 2 pound spotted bass and 4 pound spotted bass. These two very strong spotted bass had me thinking I had hooked into one large, hard pulling bass.

By the way, this was the third time I have had two bass on my three hook spook at the same time in the month of November, two 3 pound spotted of which had won a tournament for me and my partner earlier that month. I had just told Mr. Maddox about this two bass hookup occurring twice before, right before it happened to his surprise and mine, again.

Well, this was the end of a fantastic day on Thursday, November 18, 2004, on Lay Lake, just like last year at this time. Just like many trips in the Winter months to this fabulous weed filled reservoir, now over 90 years since impoundment in 1914.

Before putting the boat back on the trailer reluctantly ending our day, we took some pictures at the boat dock. To a few anglers surprise we pulled 15 bass out of the crowded livewell, one at a time, all of which weighed anywhere from 3-5 pounds. Then we took some great pictures for our memories, before returning all these bass back to the water, healthy and very much alive, of course after spending most of the day in that excellent Triton Bass Boat livewell.

Warming trends, clearing water, approaching cloudy rainy fronts, are the times to go fishing this Winter on Alabama's Lay Lake. Perhaps to create a lasting memory like that eventful day on Thursday, November 18, 2004. You can bet I'll be back next year on this same date.

If you need assistance on Lay Lake (or any Alabama Lake) you can call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133. Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com to plan a bass or striper fishing trip this winter (or next spring). Any lake in Alabama for a full days fishing. Several qualified, professional guides and boats available year round for multiple parties or corporate trips. "Over 40 Years Guiding on all of Alabama's Lakes for Bass and Stripers"

Thanks, Be safe this Winter and always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch.

This article provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"Celebrating 5 Years on the Radio Jan 2004"
Sunday Morning's 9-10 A.M. Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
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