Elite

Social media roundup from Lay Lake

Posted on
Captions by
Shaye Baker
The 2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake is set to begin in a matter of hours. We took a look around social media to see how practice has gone. But first, let’s sneak a peek at what the Elite Pros did with their week off. Cliff Prince was able to make it to his daughter’s graduation.
Clark Wendlandt got in some quality time with his daughter as well.
Cody Huff went chasing birds too…
… and caught a few bass for a win on the home pond.
Drew Benton found a beautiful arrowhead, “The OG single bevel.”
Matt Arey’s family wished him well from the beach.
But he had to get back to the grill.
The Jocumsen family settles in for the week.
It’s been a lot of fun to watch their story unfold over the past several years.
The least Jocumsen approves of the view.
The boys have settled in for the week too.
Jason Christie does a little recon from the couch.
But now it’s time to hit the water. One of the local favorites to do well here this week, Scott Canterbury backs his boat in.
A beautiful shot from the front deck of Drew Cook’s boat.
Here’s another from Classic Champ Jeff Gustafson’s ride. Notice here the water willow grass that abounds on Lay Lake. This vegetation will play a big role.
Most recent Elite Champion, Luke Palmer gets started.
Another beautiful shot from Brock Mosley.
Though the scenery is spectacular, the fishing is reportedly very tough. Caleb Sumrall said that the only thing getting bit in his boat is this sausage egg and cheese biscuit.
Drew Benton is all smiles though. Benton has had a great start to the year and is sitting in 9th place in the Progressive Angler of the Year race.
No doubt Benton and his buddy Cook have spent some time looking for spawners here.
But that bite is dwindling rapidly and Benton knows he’ll need to just fish this week, keeping a buzzbait and other moving baits in his hand.
Canterbury takes cover from a downpour. The forecast for the week looks good, warm days and nights. But scattered summer showers are predicted as well.
Hank Cherry feeling the pain at the pump. He reported averaging 15 gallons per bite on this day of practice. That’s $47.50 a fish. I’ll have the steak.
Alex Wetherell knows what’s up, a swim jig will be one of the key baits here this week.
The fish are starting to bite, kind of. This toothy gar bit down on Chad Pipkens’s plug.
Another of the wrong variety for Bryan New.
New even stumbled on big foot before he found a bass to photograph.
John Crews drumming one up.
But bass do live here, as Luke Palmer proves with this little guy. These aren’t the Coosa River Spotted Bass that these guys are here for though.
A little better for Clifford Pirch, on his Big Bite Baits Cliff Hanger Worm. A dropshot will be utilized a lot this week. 
And again, getting bigger. Ed Loughran shows us one caught on a crankbait, another bait that will play big in the current along the Coosa.
Hank Cherry with a nice spot. There are a lot of 2- to 3- pound spotted bass all along the Coosa River, and several in the 4-pound range and beyond. Getting them to bite this week will be the tough part though, as the post-spawn funk is in full swing.
Still, big ones live here and are biting, as is proven by Brandon Card. These are the kinds of bites that will set an angler apart this week, and could even make the difference in the whole tournament for a few.
One big bite like this can anchor a two-day effort at making the 50 cut and getting paid. John Soukup will be looking for at least one a day.
Matt Robertson with a tank spotted bass. These are the bites that anglers come to the Coosa for.
And one last good one from Brandon Lester. Several anglers are reporting tough fishing. And no doubt, the fishing is tough. But some of the guys will still catch them. They always do. Tune in to see who can climb to the top tomorrow, as we kickoff the 2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake.

Related