Feature Story

By Jason Duran

This Saturday, the Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) South Division wraps up its 2025 regular season on the spotted bass filled waters of Lay Lake and with the Angler of the Year at stake and the coveted championship spots hanging in the balance, it’s set to be a weekend you won’t want to miss.

It’s essentially a duel at the top: The team of Zeke and Ethan, sitting atop the AOY standings with 863 points, have led from the front for much of the season. Their consistency across diverse venues has set them apart but they enter Lay Lake with everything still to play for. Although it would take a significant stumble for them to fall out of first, the 50+ point margin between them and second place isn’t insurmountable.

Hot on their heels are the Godwin Brothers (810 points), perhaps the most dangerous team in this finale. They’re no strangers to Lay Lake success, having taken a win here in 2020, and bring a level of local knowledge that few in the field can match. Given the weight of championship implications, expect them to swing hard.

Meanwhile, several other teams including Frank Bradfield/Tyler Morgan (802 pts), Brian Adamson/Ryan Lloyd (793 pts), and the Willoughbys (788 pts) aren’t just chasing trophies. They’re fighting for a spot in the Bassmaster Team Championship, available to the top 9 teams in the South Division AOY standings.

The team of Chip Bradley and Nick Harris provided a preview of this weekend’s tournament. When contacted earlier this week, they admitted their focus is split. They’re looking ahead to a different kind of championship as well this weekend. “We’re partners on the lake, but we’re competitors on the softball field,” they laughed. Both coach their kids’ softball teams, and recently, their squads have been trading tournament wins on the weekends. “It’s been back and forth with championships lately,” they said. While they’ll be fishing on Saturday, if one or both miss the weigh-in, you’ll likely find them on a ballfield chasing another title.

As for the fishing, Chip and Nick shared that June on Lay Lake is transitioning between post-spawn recovery and deep summer patterns. Water temperatures are sitting in the upper 70s to low 80s, ideal for targeting bass both shallow and deep. With air temps climbing into the low-to-mid 90s and scattered afternoon storms in the forecast, expect topwater action to light up, especially in the early hours.

“The grass in the shallow areas has really improved this year,” said Bradley. “It’s holding more fish just off the bank and keeping them from heading deeper. We think this one could be won shallow.” Their prediction? It’ll take 20 to 21 pounds to win.

Teams will likely start with shallow-water ambush tactics in the early morning. Frogs, buzzbaits, and swim jigs fished across grass mats and shallow wood can produce explosive bites before the sun climbs. By mid-morning, as light penetrates deeper, expect fish to pull off shallow cover and suspend near ledges, shell beds, and stumps. At that point, drop shot rigs, Carolina setups, and shallow-running crankbaits become essential tools.

Current will also be a major factor this weekend. If Lay Dam releases water, that current funnels into key areas like Beeswax Creek, where bass feed aggressively in the seams. Teams familiar with current fishing on the Coosa River system could have a real edge.

Lay Lake, covering nearly 12,000 acres with close to 300 miles of shoreline, offers a diverse and productive habitat for both largemouth and spotted bass. From dense grass flats and shell islands to brush piles, stump fields, and deep river ledges, Lay offers something for every angling style. Community hot spots like Beeswax Creek, Fourmile Bend, and the main Coosa River channel are expected to be focal points for many teams. The key will be adapting and moving from shallow to deep as the day progresses and conditions evolve.

All signs point to a dramatic finish. With top bags expected, a potentially shifting leaderboard, and championship spots on the line, this finale promises excitement from takeoff to the final weigh-in. The top 75 teams in the South AOY standings will advance to the 2025 ABT Championship, held October 17–18 at Wheeler Lake.

Launch will be at safe light, and weigh-in is set for 2:30 p.m. at Beeswax Landing, 245 Beeswax Park Road, Columbiana, AL 35051. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the action as some of the best bass teams in the country cross the stage. Fans can also catch over four hours of live on-the-water coverage and the weigh-in livestream on the ABT Facebook page, YouTube, and the official ABT website.

The 2025 Alabama Bass Trail is proudly supported by:
Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Landers McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw Webb Chevrolet, Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Lew’s, Strike King, Southern Protection Agency, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, American Baitworks, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.