Father-son team wins Lay Lake Open
Posted by Mike Bolton -- Birmingham News May 02, 2009 9:22 PM
Emma Tannenbaum/Birmingham News
One of 500 boats speeds toward a fishing spot in the Mark's Outdoors Lay Lake Open on Saturday.
The father-son team of Josh and Jerry Stracner of Vandiver won the Mark's Outdoors Lay Lake Open Saturday, Alabama's largest bass tournament.
The pair caught five bass weighing 20.77 pounds to win the tournament by almost four pounds.
One thousands anglers in 500 boats fished the event.
"We were mainly sight-fishing," said Josh Stracner who along with his father won $1,000 cash and a $35,000 bass boat. "We caught a limit of bass like that early. There were a lot of bedding fish on the lake today. They were everywhere we went."
The team caught a 6-pound, 8-ounce bass sight-fishing as well as two 5-pound bass using the same method.
Centreville's Jamie Horton and Calera's Coby Carden, two of the more than a dozen Bassmaster pros fishing in the event, caught 16.84 pounds to finish second. Bill Lowen of Cincinnati teamed with Corner's Johnny Rouse for third place with 16.59 pounds.
Craig Rosetta of Moody and Lynn Shipman of Riverside took fourth with 16.18 pounds and Bassmaster pro Kyle Mabry of McCalla and Ken Jernigan of Indian Springs took fifth with 15.42 pounds.
Sixth place went to John Hodges of Moody and Chris Colley of Leeds. Joe Minor of Clanton, who was fishing alone, took seventh and Joel McKemie and Billy Reynolds, both of Sylacauga, finished eighth.
Daniel Barrett of Sylacauga and Kevin Waits of Rockford took ninth. Ray Sudsberry of Calera and Eric Vining of Wilsonville finished out the top 10.
All of the top 10 teams won $1,000 each.
The most disappointed angler of the day was Waco, Texas pro Alton Jones, the 2008 Classic winner. A bonus of $25,000 was up for grabs for any angler breaking the tournament record of 9.12 pounds. Jones said he found a bass on the bed that he believed would top 10 pounds and he cast to that fish for more than four hours but the bass never would bite.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Fishing Frenzy..Bham News 3/18/09
Columbiana is home to area’s seventh event
Wednesday, March 18, 2009MIKE BOLTON
News staff writer
The Bassmaster Classic, a professional fishing event that officials say brings in tens of millions of dollars to Birmingham, returns to the Magic City again in 2010, BASS officials confirmed Tuesday.
It was first announced in 2008 that the Classic would return to Birmingham in 2010. Missing from the puzzle was what lake would host the event. BASS filled in the blanks Tuesday, saying the event will be held Feb. 19-21 at Lay Lake.
Lay, located primarily in Shelby County, was the site of Classics in 1996, 2002 and 2007. The launch site for the 2010 Classic will take place at the Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp in Columbiana. Previous Classic launches on the lake have taken place at Paradise Point.
Birmingham, voted the “Bass Capital of the World” in an ESPN online poll in 2006, is a favorite site of the Classic. It has played host to the Classic six times, more than any other city. In addition to the Classics at Lay Lake, Birmingham also hosted Classics held at Lake Logan Martin in 1992, 1993 and 1997.
Alabama has hosted the event 10 times with other Classics being held on Wheeler Lake in 1974, Lake Guntersville in 1976 and on the Alabama River in 1981 and 1982.
Birmingham has also played host to the FLW Tour World Championship on two occasions. The FLW Tour is a rival organization to BASS.
More than 50,000 people attended the Birmingham weigh-ins, launches and Outdoor Expo at the 2007 Classic on Lay Lake.
Birmingham officials estimated that tournament brought an economic impact to the city and surrounding area of more than $19 million.
BASS is owned by ESPN and the television network provides hours of coverage of the event, city and the lake.
“Shelby County is excited about the opportunity to showcase our natural resources and attract an international audience as we host our fourth Bassmaster Classic,” said Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock. “Lay Lake continues to be a destination for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts, and Shelby County will continue to promote tourism through these types of events in our local, regional and state economy.”
Reigning Classic champion Skeet Reese, who finished second to Demopolis’ Boyd Duckett in the 2007 Classic on Lay Lake, was thrilled by Tuesday’s announcement.
“Another Classic on Lay Lake is great news,” he said. “I will get the opportunity to go back to Lay Lake and try to win. Finishing second to Boyd in 2007 was a little tough to swallow.”
By virtue of being the reigning champion Reese is the only one of 51 eventual competitors to qualify for the Classic in Birmingham.
“Birmingham is excited to host the 40th Bassmaster Classic and we anticipate another fantastic event,” said Mike Gunn, vice president of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This is our seventh time hosting this prestigious, major sporting event.”
Wednesday, March 18, 2009MIKE BOLTON
News staff writer
The Bassmaster Classic, a professional fishing event that officials say brings in tens of millions of dollars to Birmingham, returns to the Magic City again in 2010, BASS officials confirmed Tuesday.
It was first announced in 2008 that the Classic would return to Birmingham in 2010. Missing from the puzzle was what lake would host the event. BASS filled in the blanks Tuesday, saying the event will be held Feb. 19-21 at Lay Lake.
Lay, located primarily in Shelby County, was the site of Classics in 1996, 2002 and 2007. The launch site for the 2010 Classic will take place at the Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp in Columbiana. Previous Classic launches on the lake have taken place at Paradise Point.
Birmingham, voted the “Bass Capital of the World” in an ESPN online poll in 2006, is a favorite site of the Classic. It has played host to the Classic six times, more than any other city. In addition to the Classics at Lay Lake, Birmingham also hosted Classics held at Lake Logan Martin in 1992, 1993 and 1997.
Alabama has hosted the event 10 times with other Classics being held on Wheeler Lake in 1974, Lake Guntersville in 1976 and on the Alabama River in 1981 and 1982.
Birmingham has also played host to the FLW Tour World Championship on two occasions. The FLW Tour is a rival organization to BASS.
More than 50,000 people attended the Birmingham weigh-ins, launches and Outdoor Expo at the 2007 Classic on Lay Lake.
Birmingham officials estimated that tournament brought an economic impact to the city and surrounding area of more than $19 million.
BASS is owned by ESPN and the television network provides hours of coverage of the event, city and the lake.
“Shelby County is excited about the opportunity to showcase our natural resources and attract an international audience as we host our fourth Bassmaster Classic,” said Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock. “Lay Lake continues to be a destination for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts, and Shelby County will continue to promote tourism through these types of events in our local, regional and state economy.”
Reigning Classic champion Skeet Reese, who finished second to Demopolis’ Boyd Duckett in the 2007 Classic on Lay Lake, was thrilled by Tuesday’s announcement.
“Another Classic on Lay Lake is great news,” he said. “I will get the opportunity to go back to Lay Lake and try to win. Finishing second to Boyd in 2007 was a little tough to swallow.”
By virtue of being the reigning champion Reese is the only one of 51 eventual competitors to qualify for the Classic in Birmingham.
“Birmingham is excited to host the 40th Bassmaster Classic and we anticipate another fantastic event,” said Mike Gunn, vice president of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This is our seventh time hosting this prestigious, major sporting event.”
Monday, February 23, 2009
2009
Hello,
2009 has begun and we're off to a much better start here on Lay Lake. In spite of all the doom and gloom for the national real estate market,Lay Lake and central Alabama have not taken such a hit. In select surburbs of Birmingham homes prices have fallen but we are still well below the national average.
Prices have adjusted on Alabama lakes but lots and homes are still a solid investment. Lay Lake is even more sound as the inventory available is less than half compared to other state waterways. Please call Bryon today to explore the options. Visit his website at
www.laylakerealtor.com
for complete contact info.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Spring is in the Air
Hello,
It seems that Spring is going to arrive sooner this year. The time has already been pushed back and Easter is coming in just two weeks. The dogwoods are bloomin', the boats are runnin' and the fish are bitin'.Last but not least the real estate activity on Lay Lake has picked up considerably.
Waterford becomes the area's newest development with over 50 lots on Paint Creek in Coosa county. The area has been known to many for years as the locale of the "jumping rock". The lower section of Lay Lake is a beautiful area that cannot be missed. The fishing in the creek and it's tributaries is excellent and many are glad to hear that Marble Valley road will be paved all the way to the gates of the new development.
The Cove is also getting underway. The new community offers waterfront lots on Cedar Creek just mintues from the Inverness area of Birmingham. The Cove is just upstream from Water's Edge which has been growing considerably.
Many people have asked about the bridge and what happened. As stated in the last update,it's off the table and may never become a reality. However, this hasn't seemed to hurt the market on the eastern side of the lake as the value continues to increase. The area experienced a boost with the bridge talk but it's beauty speaks for itself. The rolling hills of southern Talladgea county and the rocky bluffs of Coosa county are a unique paradise that's a short drive from downtown Birmingham.
Spring is off to a great start and real estate on Lay Lake continues to be one of the best investments in the state.
It seems that Spring is going to arrive sooner this year. The time has already been pushed back and Easter is coming in just two weeks. The dogwoods are bloomin', the boats are runnin' and the fish are bitin'.Last but not least the real estate activity on Lay Lake has picked up considerably.
Waterford becomes the area's newest development with over 50 lots on Paint Creek in Coosa county. The area has been known to many for years as the locale of the "jumping rock". The lower section of Lay Lake is a beautiful area that cannot be missed. The fishing in the creek and it's tributaries is excellent and many are glad to hear that Marble Valley road will be paved all the way to the gates of the new development.
The Cove is also getting underway. The new community offers waterfront lots on Cedar Creek just mintues from the Inverness area of Birmingham. The Cove is just upstream from Water's Edge which has been growing considerably.
Many people have asked about the bridge and what happened. As stated in the last update,it's off the table and may never become a reality. However, this hasn't seemed to hurt the market on the eastern side of the lake as the value continues to increase. The area experienced a boost with the bridge talk but it's beauty speaks for itself. The rolling hills of southern Talladgea county and the rocky bluffs of Coosa county are a unique paradise that's a short drive from downtown Birmingham.
Spring is off to a great start and real estate on Lay Lake continues to be one of the best investments in the state.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Lay Lake is weathering the drought
Hello Folks,
Even though we are in a "one hundred year drought" and an "exceptional drought phase" according to the NWS, Lay Lake still remains a great place to be.. Water level is only down 2-3 feet. Lay Lake is a holding reservoir designed to hold water for droughts, just not 100 yr droughts. As the winter continues I hope we can get back to full pool. Hey, at least it's not as bad a Lake Martin(down almost 17 ft) or Lewis Smith(down almost 20).
Building is moving along with many new waterfront developments up and running and many more planned. Existing homes have also been selling at a steady pace..It's all about pricing in today's buyer's market.
The big news today comes from the front page of the Birmingham News. The Alabama Supreme Court has refused to review a lower court ruling concerning the proposed bridge linking Shelby and Talladega counties. The bridge has been planned by Talladega County for years now and it was proposed to be built at the old Perkins Ferry site. Making a long story short, it seems the bridge is on hold indefinitely.
My feelings are mixed and even though my business is real estate, I think we are overbuilding. The bridge would have been great for folks on the eastern side of the lake but the traffic and noise would be a nuisance. Not to mention Hwy 28 going into Columbiana. It would need some serous work and I imagine a bypass around the town.
The fishing is good though with this warm and humid weather..
Even though we are in a "one hundred year drought" and an "exceptional drought phase" according to the NWS, Lay Lake still remains a great place to be.. Water level is only down 2-3 feet. Lay Lake is a holding reservoir designed to hold water for droughts, just not 100 yr droughts. As the winter continues I hope we can get back to full pool. Hey, at least it's not as bad a Lake Martin(down almost 17 ft) or Lewis Smith(down almost 20).
Building is moving along with many new waterfront developments up and running and many more planned. Existing homes have also been selling at a steady pace..It's all about pricing in today's buyer's market.
The big news today comes from the front page of the Birmingham News. The Alabama Supreme Court has refused to review a lower court ruling concerning the proposed bridge linking Shelby and Talladega counties. The bridge has been planned by Talladega County for years now and it was proposed to be built at the old Perkins Ferry site. Making a long story short, it seems the bridge is on hold indefinitely.
My feelings are mixed and even though my business is real estate, I think we are overbuilding. The bridge would have been great for folks on the eastern side of the lake but the traffic and noise would be a nuisance. Not to mention Hwy 28 going into Columbiana. It would need some serous work and I imagine a bypass around the town.
The fishing is good though with this warm and humid weather..
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