NEWS

ABT Lay Lake Delivers Tight Finish as Patterson and Newman Lean on Simplicity for the Win

By Jason Duran,

The Second Stop of the Alabama Bass Trail South Division, Lay Lake has a way of evening things out. It gives anglers options, spreads fish across the system, and produces enough bites to keep most of the field in contention. But when the scales settle, it still comes down to who manages quality, who commits to a plan, and who executes when it matters most. That is exactly how the Alabama Bass Trail South Division event at Lay Lake unfolded on March 21, 2026. Weights were strong across the board, limits were common, and the margin at the top was razor thin. In the end, Chris Patterson and David Newman separated themselves with 21.85 pounds to claim the win and a $15,000 payday.The difference was minimal. Just 0.49 pounds separated first and second, and only 0.81 pounds separated first from third. This was not about finding fish. It was about finding the right ones and maximizing every opportunity.

For Patterson and Newman, the foundation for the win was built well before tournament morning. They had located key areas weeks in advance and returned carefully to check them without overfishing the spots. By the time the tournament arrived, they had confidence in two primary areas and committed to them fully. That commitment paid off immediately. By 8:30 AM, they already had 19 pounds in the livewell. From there, the day shifted into management mode. They stayed in those same areas, allowing other boats to rotate through before slipping back in behind them. Instead of chasing new water, they trusted the fish would reposition and reload. Late in the day, they added key upgrades around 1:30, 2:00, and just before weigh-in to secure the victory. 

Their pattern was as simple as it was effective. Fishing post-spawn bass positioned along the outside edges of shallow grass, Patterson and Newman relied almost exclusively on a weightless Senko-style worm in natural colors like green pumpkin and pumpkin seed. One angler fished it wacky rigged, while the other used a Texas rig, both focusing on a natural fall and working through grass they could feel. They caught their fish in water ranging from just inches deep out to about four feet, and nearly every fish they landed fell into that critical three- to four-pound class. They never found the five- or six-pound bite they expected it might take to win, but they did not need it. Instead, they built a winning bag through consistency, catching 20 to 25 fish throughout the day with very few small ones mixed in. “We’re old school,” Newman said. “We just bank fish.” “Feel the grass and that’s where you can get bit,” Patterson said.

Their  approach stood out in a field where forward-facing sonar played a role for many teams. Patterson and Newman kept it simple, relying on feel, timing, and discipline. The win also marks a milestone moment for the team. Patterson and Newman are first-time winners on the Alabama Bass Trail after previously finishing second at Lake Martin in 2021. After a tough start at Lake Jordan, they leave Lay Lake with $15,000 and a berth in the championship at Lake Eufaula.

Behind them, Larry Bullock and Dale Westmoreland earned second place with 21.36 pounds and $7,500, leaning on experience and adjustments throughout the day. The team has competed in every season of the Alabama Bass Trail since its inception, relying on patience and timing to stay in contention. Their practice showed a declining bite each day, but their tournament turned when they were able to start on their best areas without pressure, something they noted almost never happens on Lay Lake. Fishing shallow grass in the midsection of the lake, they caught around 20 fish on a mix of baits including a Zoom lizard with a chartreuse tail, a chartreuse and white chatterbait, and a black and blue jig, along with a wacky worm for smaller fish. Their key moment came around 1:00 PM near the dam, where they landed a 5.31-pound fish that anchored their bag. Their day reflected one of the defining themes of the event. Fish were moving, pressure was high, and areas that produced earlier in the week did not always hold the same way during the tournament.

In third place, Blake Davenport and Phillip Easterling finished with 21.04 pounds and earned $6,000 by taking a more technical approach. After adjusting their practice strategy, they committed to forward-facing sonar and caught just seven fish, but nearly all were quality. Fishing from the Narrows to Beeswax, they targeted fish less than five feet deep in stained water, using a CrushCity Mooch Minnow to trigger bites from groups of fish chasing bait. It was a clear contrast in styles. One team leaned on simplicity and shallow grass. Another relied on technology and precision. Both worked, but Patterson and Newman’s consistency proved just enough.

Throughout the field, limits were common, but separation came from upgrading. Big fish played a role as well, including a 7.00-pounder from Noah and Cole Godwin, but even that was not enough to overcome the steady quality needed to win.

The race for Angler of the Year is already beginning to take shape after two events. Chris Rutland and Coby Carden lead the standings with 444 points, followed closely by Chace Gregory and Kopeland Rosser with 436, and Foster Bradley and Nick Harris with 435. With consistent finishes proving critical in the points race, every fish continues to matter as teams position themselves for a run at the title.

Patterson and Newman now head to Lake Martin with momentum and confidence, a place where they have found success before and will look to build on that 2021 runner-up finish as they continue their season.

Lay Lake once again proved that there is more than one way to compete, but in the end, the teams who trust their plan, manage their water, and execute under pressure are the ones holding the trophy.

Anglers and fans can watch all the live coverage and follow all Alabama Bass Trail events by visiting www.alabamabasstrail.org. For a complete list of standings please visit https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/lay-lake/results/ Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.” The Podcast is released each week on Tuesday.

The 2026 Alabama Bass Trail Team Series is made possible through partnerships with industry leading brands: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Larry Puckett Chevrolet, 13 Fishing, Rapala, VMC, CRUSHCITY, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Thompson Tractor Company, Pirnah02, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, Alfa Insurance Thomas ALFA MAN Shelton, TH Marine Supplies, Power Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, Yamaha, SCUM FROG, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.