POST LAY LAKE 2002 B.A.S.S. CLASSIC

_____________

Would you like to know more about fishing the Zara Spook?

Go to the Tips and Techniques page for "Everything you wanted to know about Zara Spook, but were afraid to ask?"

_____________

Check out the products from HookHider Rods at www.hookhider.com

_____________

For more information on how to obtain an audio tape of any of our radio shows, click here.

AN ANGLERS VIEW OF THE 2002 CITGO BASSMASTERS CLASSIC / LAY LAKE

ByReed Montgomery

Its gone. Ahh...but the memories. Every summer for the past 25 years, fishing fans have awaited the arrival of the world’s biggest and best, fishing extravaganza. The crowning of another, “Bassmaster’s Classic Champion”, as the year long reining title of, “The Worlds Best Bass Fishing Angler” is awarded to another qualified participant.

This summer was no exception. As the famed Bassmasters traveling entourage visited Lay Lake July 25-27, for the second time in the history of B.A.S.S. This was the fifth time a Lake in Alabama , on the Coosa River System, had been selected to feature this world renowned event. Accompanying each day’s Classic weigh in was the Classic Outdoor Show, both of which proved to be second to none. According to most of the 52 Classic contenders, so was the fishing.

Prior to this year’s 2002 Citgo Bassmasters Classic, recent Classic participants overall view of Lay Lake was, that it was a very tough fishery for summertime fishing. Many of this season’s Classic contenders, had sampled Lay Lakes weed-infested waters before, during the previous 1996 Bassmasters Classic. For some, this was their first visit to Lay Lake . However, unlike the uncharacteristic low weight it took to win the 1996 Bassmaster’s Classic (Classic Champion George Cochran of Hot Springs Arkansas won with 31 1/2 pounds), most of this year’s 52 Classic contenders were predicting the weights would be much higher in this year’s Classic.

After an excellent week long practice session, reports were, the bass were cooperating rather well. Most 2002 Classic contenders had a very promising practice session, the last week of June, three weeks prior to this years actual Classic competition. This was the first time this year, any of these 52 Classic contenders (from all over the globe), had been allowed to fish Lay Lake . The Lake was off limits to any potential Classic qualifier, since the first day of January, 2002. Still, all agreed, it was a very deserving Lake to be selected as the site for a major bass tournament, such as the 2002 Citgo Bassmasters Classic. Which, after all, is intended to be held under the most grueling conditions.

The previous Classic Crown had been worn by George Cochran. Winning the 1996 Bassmasters Classic event on Lay Lake , Cochran had meticulously managed to seine the shallows of Lay Lake for three days, producing a winning catch of 15 bass, weighing 31 1/2 pounds. Despite the 1996 Classic being Cochran’s second Classic victory (with an even lower previous Classic weight than the 1996 Lay Classic), he said, “he had to work for every bite he got” during that hot, grueling, upper 90 degree week during the summer of 1996.

Although Cochran was graciously thankful to be returning to this year’s 2002 Citgo Bassmaster’s Classic, he was hoping conditions had improved for the better, since his last visit here, almost 7 years ago. Defending his, “ Lay Lake 1996 Classic title”, the two-time Classic Champion was somewhat disappointed. Cochran placed 19 th in this year’s Classic, with 12 bass weighing 24 pounds and 3 ounces.

And what about last year’s 2001 Bassmaster’s Classic Champion, Kevin Van Dam? His relentless winning streak, was temporarily stalled, as the famed angler from Kalamazoo , Michigan failed to make the last day’s, top 25 man cut. He ironically, was very close to striking distance, right behind the tail end of Saturday’s pack. With a two day total weighing 14 pounds and 1 ounce. Van Dam narrowly missed Saturday’s last day of competition, by a mere one ounce. One bass short.

Well, like previous Classic’s, this year’s Classic is history. Gone, but not forgotten. Especially in the minds of this year’s top three Classic anglers, all of which brought in more weight than George Cochran did in 1996. And only fate could decide the outcome of this year’s three day event. Jay Yelas of Tyler Texas, the eventual winner, led this years Classic, for all three days of competition. This was a feat all in itself. He very successfully out fished 51 other Classic contenders, with a wide margin of victory. Yelas’s three day total, consisting of 14 hard earned bass, weighing 45 pounds and 13 ounces, proved once again, Classic records are made to be broken.

To top that (yet breaking another Classic record in another category), Jay Yelas also brought in the Classic’s Biggest Bass each day, good for an extra $3000. On Thursday day one, Yelas started the Classic off right, fooling a 6 pound 4 ounce largemouth on a jig combo, that secured, Big Bass Honors. This huge largemouth turned out to be the biggest bass taken of the entire three day Classic. Again, on Friday day two. Another, “Big Bass of the Day”, a 6 pound 2 ounce largemouth fell victim to Jay Yelas’s jig combo, worth another $1000. Both of these Coosa River largemouth’s, came from within a few feet of each other. But there was still more to come.

On Saturday, the last day of competition, (with only one small fish in the livewell at midday and only two hours remaining) Yela’s was sweating it out, from more than just the heat. However, patience, believing in your own abilities, combined with years of on-the-water experience, can always overcome intense fishing pressure. This became evident, as Yela’s miraculously managed to successfully boat 3 very needed bass, for a total of 10 pounds and 11 ounces. Not only did this precious sack of bass (one bass short of the five fish limit) secure the Classic win, but also included another last day “kicker” bass. Yelas’s last minute heroics, included fooling yet another, “Big Bass of the Day”, another largemouth weighing 4 pounds and 14 ounces, that solidly sealed his Classic victory. Incredible!

By now the location of Jay Yelas’s Classic win is no secret, with Logan Martin dam quite obviously sitting in the background of various scenes, as highlighted on the ESPN Bassmaster’s Television series. However, getting there and fishing the often hazardous waters below Logan Martin Lake dam, is not for the faint hearted. Like Cochran’s famed, “Classic win of 1996” (running the boat through hazardous stump flats to reach his destination), Jay Yelas worked for every bite he got and deserved some recognition of his fantastic winning feat and boat maneuverability.

So what does it take to be a Classic winner? More than just catching a bunch of bass. Fishing Lay Lakes headwaters, called for some very tedious boat maneuvering, both with the outboard motor and while fishing. Anchoring was not probable. The boat could only be held in place in the swift tailrace waters, with the power of the boat’s electric trolling motor. The very powerful, 109 pounds of thrust, Motorguide trolling motor, proved to be worth its weight in gold. Jay Yela’s 2002 Classic win could not have been accomplished without the aid of three dependable batteries, teamed up with this very powerful trolling motor.

Unknown to the thousands of spectators that viewed the 2002 Citgo Bassmasters Classic, (both on and off the water), there was a new rule added to this year’s Bassmasters Classic. No spare propellers. This meant foolishly taking chances, could not only prove fatal, but could also result in being broke down, miles from Paradise Point Marina (the Classic weigh in site), without a chance of winning. Had fate not intervened, Jay Yelas could have unknowingly turned the tables, by accidentally hitting the rocky, boulder-strewn bottom with his motor’s propeller, possibly being temporarily eliminated from the competition.

Even lure choice and lure presentation played a huge role in winning this year’s Classic. Yela’s decision to fish with Berkeley ’s Frenzy crankbaits, topwaters and a jig combo, could have been the wrong choice. In addition, all Classic contenders were only allowed so much tackle and could not afford to lose any lures during competition. Jay Yelas could have easily lost his pet lures, during the first hour of water generation. The very swift water, featured below Logan Martin Lake dam, has helped snag the bottom of Lay Lake , now adorned with the offerings of many previous Lay Lake anglers.

Line choice also played a very important role in this Classic win. The rough, underwater terrain, called for the use of monofilament on the heavy side, to avoid losing lures or most importantly, losing precious bass. Jay Yelas choose several types of Berkley brand fishing line, mostly consisting of 14 to 25 pound test. A very wise decision, when tackling the rocky, boulder-strewn waters of Lay Lakes headwaters.

Had Jay Yelas faltered somewhat in any of these crucial decisions (during any of the three days of competition), the “2002 Citgo Bassmasters Classic Champion” title, could have been awarded to this year’s eventual second place Classic finisher. Only 6 pounds and four ounces from victory, Aaron Martens from Castaic California , posted a five fish limit each day, averaging 13 pounds and 3 ounces. This placed him second, with a three day total of, 15 bass weighing 39 pounds 9 ounces.

Not far behind, for the second year in a row (placing third in last year’s 2001 Louisiana Bassmaster’s Classic), the prestigious, “World Championship Title”, could have again, possibly went to David Walker from Sevierville , Tennessee . He was again, within possible striking distance, of this very coveted Classic title (trailing exactly 10 pounds close behind) with a three day total of, 15 bass weighing 35 pounds and 13 ounces.

So this year’s 2002 Citgo Bassmasters Classic Champion Jay Yelas, and his seemingly magical feat, was not easily accomplished. He had to work, in all aspects, in winning this prestigious ”World Championship Title”, that had managed to elude him so many times, in the past 13 previous Bassmasters Classics. Every cast and every fish that came in the boat, was accomplished by perseverance and determination. And that’s what it takes to be a Bassmaster’s Classic Winner.