How to Fish Lay Lake (2): Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Lay Lake (2)

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 17, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lay Lake (2)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Largemouth bass actively feeding on baitfish schools in pre-spawn pattern, targeting shad and herring near ledges and shoreline transitions Fish staging in pre-spawn areas, moving between deeper water and shallow feeding zones as they prepare for the spawn	Ledges adjacent to shoreline areas where baitfish are concentrated Secondary points and creek channel bends with access to deeper water Submerged vegetation edges near pre-spawn staging areas	Umbrella Rigs with small swimbaits matching baitfish size Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in shad patterns Bladed Jigs worked along depth transitions	Blueback Herring schooling near shoreline areas Shad concentrations around ledges and points	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	50-64	Spotted bass are transitioning between winter and spawning areas, actively feeding on shad in main river channels and near emerging vegetation Fish are suspending in the water column during morning hours, moving shallower in the afternoon as temperatures warm	Main river channels with concentrated baitfish schools Docks with adjacent submerged cabbage grass Transition areas between deep water and spawning flats	Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around vegetation and docks Damiki Rig for suspended fish near bait schools Underspins when fish are actively chasing shad	Shad schools in main river channels Smaller baitfish relating to emerging vegetation	Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-69	Bass are in various spawn stages with some actively spawning in shallow areas (water temps 65-70°F) while others are still in pre-spawn mode around 58°F Fish are relating heavily to submerged vegetation and actively feeding on both shad and shallow baitfish	Shallow vegetation patches in spawning areas Ledges and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats Areas where shad are spawning, particularly around grass edges	Texas Rigs (Worming) with Senkos in vegetation Swim Jigs around grass edges during shad spawn Hard Jerkbaits for pre-spawn fish Drop Shot for deeper fish on ledges	Shad (particularly spawning shad in shallow areas) Minnows Bluegill	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	50-64	Spotted bass are in spawning mode, with males guarding nests in protected areas while females move between staging areas and spawning flats Fish are actively feeding during pre-spawn and post-spawn periods, particularly targeting shad in transition areas	Protected shallow coves and pockets near deep water access Transition areas between main river channel and spawning flats Areas with cabbage grass in 3-8 feet of water	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses around staging areas Shakey Heads worked slowly through spawning flats Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and targeting actively feeding fish	Shad schools in transition areas Crawfish becoming active in warming waters	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-75	Bass actively following and feeding on shad schools in post-spawn recovery phase Fish transitioning between spawning areas and summer holding areas, making frequent stops at feeding stations	Offshore structure near baitfish schools Secondary points with submerged vegetation Main lake points adjacent to spawning bays	Bladed Jigs worked through and around baitfish schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching shad size Spinnerbaits parallel to points and vegetation edges	Shad schools in post-spawn patterns Small bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	65-75	Post-spawn spotted bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shad in the water column and near vegetation edges Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, often staging along points and channel swings	Main river channel swings with adjacent vegetation Secondary points with access to deep water Cabbage grass edges near deeper water	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to grass edges Spinnerbaits worked through scattered vegetation Shakey Heads worked along channel breaks	Shad schools in transition areas Bluegill in vegetation Small crawfish in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-85	Bass are actively feeding around dawn and dusk, seeking shade and cover during bright midday hours Fish are relating to submerged vegetation edges and utilizing shad schools as primary feeding opportunities	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake channel Shaded pockets in complex shoreline areas with vegetation Points and irregularities where current flow concentrates baitfish	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around heavy cover and vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for targeting active fish chasing shad Frogs/Toads for working over vegetation mats in early morning	Shad schools concentrated around structure and vegetation edges Bluegill and smaller sunfish in vegetated areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Spotted Bass	75-88	Spotted bass are actively feeding during early morning and late evening, seeking shad schools around main lake structure and vegetated areas During midday heat, fish move deeper and relate closely to river channel edges and submerged vegetation for cover	Main river channel edges with adjacent cabbage grass Points and irregular shoreline areas with deep water access Shaded dock areas near deep water	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through vegetation edges Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along channel edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish	Shad schools in deeper water Active crayfish in vegetation Small bluegill around docks and vegetation	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Lay Lake (2)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Actively feeding on shad, bluegill, and crawfish in shallow to mid-depth zones, with increased activity around structure Moving into coves and creek arms following baitfish schools, utilizing vegetation and laydowns as ambush points	Points with adjacent submerged vegetation Laydowns and woody structure near shoreline Rip rap banks with nearby deep water access	Buzzbaits worked across vegetation and near structure Bladed Jigs pulled through grass Spinnerbaits near rip rap and points Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around laydowns	Shad - primary forage based on reports and lake profile Bluegill - mentioned in recent fall reports Crawfish - active in fall around rocky structure	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Spotted Bass	58-72	Spotted bass are actively chasing shad schools in the river channel and adjacent flats, with increased feeding activity due to cooling water temperatures Fish are transitioning between shallow and deep water throughout the day, following baitfish movements and utilizing the irregular shoreline features for ambush points	Main river channel bends with adjacent flats where shad schools are present Points and irregular shoreline features near deep water access Submerged vegetation edges where cabbage grass meets deeper water	Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitions where shallow flats meet deeper water Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for mimicking shad around channel edges Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges and points during cloudy conditions	Shad schools congregating in creek mouths and channel edges Smaller baitfish relating to remaining vegetation	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-52	Largemouth bass are schooling near shad concentrations, with vertical feeding patterns evident from recent fishing success Fish are relating to deep structure, particularly brush piles, and showing active feeding periods despite winter conditions	Deep brush piles near channel bends where baitfish are congregating Main lake points with access to deep water Deep creek channel edges adjacent to shallow flats	Blade Baits worked vertically through baitfish schools Structure Jigs worked slowly through brush piles Damiki Rig when fish are spotted on electronics	Shad congregated in large winter schools Crawfish in deeper brush pile areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Spotted Bass	45-55	Spotted bass will concentrate in deeper areas near channel swings and river bends, often suspending near schools of shad Fish become more lethargic during cold periods but will actively feed during warming trends, especially in afternoons Bass will orient to vertical structure like steep banks and bluff walls that provide quick access to both deep water and feeding zones	Deep river channel bends with nearby structure, especially in 15-25 foot range Steep rocky banks adjacent to deep water Deeper sections of cabbage grass edges near channel swings	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Damiki Rig for suspended fish near structure Underspins retrieved slowly through baitfish schools	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Small baitfish utilizing channel edges Crawfish emerging during warm afternoons	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lay Lake (2)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Ledges adjacent to shoreline areas where baitfish are concentrated	Secondary points and creek channel bends with access to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main river channels with concentrated baitfish schools	Docks with adjacent submerged cabbage grass
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow vegetation patches in spawning areas	Ledges and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Protected shallow coves and pockets near deep water access	Transition areas between main river channel and spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Offshore structure near baitfish schools	Secondary points with submerged vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main river channel swings with adjacent vegetation	Secondary points with access to deep water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake channel	Shaded pockets in complex shoreline areas with vegetation
Summer	Spotted Bass	Main river channel edges with adjacent cabbage grass	Points and irregular shoreline areas with deep water access
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Points with adjacent submerged vegetation	Laydowns and woody structure near shoreline
Fall	Spotted Bass	Main river channel bends with adjacent flats where shad schools are present	Points and irregular shoreline features near deep water access
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep brush piles near channel bends where baitfish are congregating	Main lake points with access to deep water
Winter	Spotted Bass	Deep river channel bends with nearby structure, especially in 15-25 foot range	Steep rocky banks adjacent to deep water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring schooling near shoreline areas	Shad concentrations around ledges and points
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools in main river channels	Smaller baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad (particularly spawning shad in shallow areas)	Minnows
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools in transition areas	Crawfish becoming active in warming waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools in post-spawn patterns	Small bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools in transition areas	Bluegill in vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated around structure and vegetation edges	Bluegill and smaller sunfish in vegetated areas
Summer	Spotted Bass	Shad schools in deeper water	Active crayfish in vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on reports and lake profile	Bluegill - mentioned in recent fall reports
Fall	Spotted Bass	Shad schools congregating in creek mouths and channel edges	Smaller baitfish relating to remaining vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad congregated in large winter schools	Crawfish in deeper brush pile areas
Winter	Spotted Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Small baitfish utilizing channel edges

Bait Colors by Season for Lay Lake (2)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Spotted Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Spotted Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Spotted Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

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