FROM STAFF REPORTS

The top 40 anglers and co-anglers from the Arkansas, Tennessee Central, Kentucky, Tennessee East and South Carolina divisions will compete in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, presented by American Bass Anglers, Lay Lake Regional tournament Oct. 14-16 at Lay Lake.

The anglers launch out of Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp on the Coosa River beginning at 6:30 a.m. each morning. Registration takes place Oct. 14. The weigh-ins take place at 3 p.m. on Oct. 15 and 16.

Through a grueling season, the top anglers in these divisions battled through at least four one-day tournaments and a two-day divisional championship to advance to the regional tournament.

Anglers and co-anglers compete for cash prizes and a chance to fish in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series championship tournament. The championship tournament takes place Nov. 5-6 at Lake Guntersville.

Impounded in 1914, Lay Lake spreads through about 12,000 acres of east-central Alabama. The fourth from north to south in a series of six reservoirs built by the Alabama Power Company on the Coosa River, Lay Lake runs about 50 miles long. It can produce largemouth bass exceeding 10 pounds and spotted bass topping 7 pounds. For largemouth, most anglers fish the creek channels and backwaters. For spots, anglers hit the more riverine areas with current.

The upper portion of the lake looks more like the original river with rocky and woody cover, fallen trees, shallow flats and current. At this time of year, anglers may find some spotted bass or largemouths schooling and chasing shad.

In the middle portion of the lake, anglers find more grass beds, stump fields, brush and boulders. This area also produces some of the biggest largemouth bass. The lower lake holds more deep structure and open, clearer water, but also can provide some action from schooling bass. Some anglers fish Waxahatchee Creek.

For more information on the Lay Lake Regional tournament, call (888) 203-6222 or visit Americanbassanglers.com.