NEWS

Logan Martin Lake Feature Story

Logan Martin Lake preview with Allen Yarborough and Kyle Dorsett

By Jason Duran

May 6 – Decatur, Ala- It is finally tournament time again! This week should be the fourth event for the South Division of the Alabama Bass Trail.  However, due to the Covid-19 virus, the two previous events have been rescheduled for later this year.  The best news in a long time is this week’s event will go on as scheduled for Logan Martin Lake. 

Logan Martin Lake is on the Coosa River chain of lakes. Typically, during the first week of May, the lake is at full pool from the winter draw down. The record-breaking amounts of rain received this spring required the flood gates to be open for a month straight causing a lot of current to flow through the system and change water levels. The lake is now approaching full and the flood gates have been returned back to normal. Anglers are hoping the fish will begin to settle down and return to their typical patterns for this time of year. 

The team of Allen Yarborough and Kyle Dorsett is excited to get back out on the water with the ABT Family.  They are no strangers to Logan Martin taking home the victory in 2018. They agree the “lake is setting up well for most anglers to be able to fish their style of fishing.” Kyle said the “lake seems to have all three phases: spawn, pre-spawn and post-spawn.” It is no secret many teams like to fish up near the dam where anglers often say the tournament can be won. “The key to fishing that pattern will be an early boat number to make the forty-minute boat run to the dam.” 

A big factor playing into this weekend will be boat traffic and weather. Anglers are chomping at the bit to get back out on the water and fish rain or shine. The change in weather may help keep the pleasure boaters off the water for a little bit. The past few weeks many lakes have experienced 4th of July type crowds times ten. “This will affect the fishing and make some of those long runs anglers tend to take a little harder having to add time to the run on the way back due to boat traffic,” said Kyle. 

The early morning shad spawn will be another factor anglers can use to target fish. Kyle says the whole lake is probably in play from the grass to the deep humps. “There will be guys flippin’ and guys throwing a shaky head out deep, and they will both be catching lots of fish.”  The team feels a 19 pound bag is the target to win and at least 12 pounds will be necessary to get a check. 

There will be many changes this week due to the COVID-19 virus. All anglers should make sure they have checked text messages and emails for the latest information and changes made to keep everyone as safe as possible during this time.  There will be no pre-tournament meeting for this event. All friends, family and fans are encouraged to watch the live weigh-in and live coverage on the ABT Facebook page. Due to social distancing, crowds are not allowed to attend the weigh-in this weekend.  

The sponsors of the 2020 Alabama Bass Trail include: Phoenix Bass Boats, Bill Penney Toyota, Garmin, Academy Sports & Outdoors, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, T-H Marine Supplies, Wedowee Marine, Buffalo Rock, Mountain Dew, Jack’s, Fish Neely Henry Lake.com, Alabama Power Company, Lew’s Fishing, Berkley, YETI, Power Pole, Big Bite Bait Company, Strike King,  E3 Apparel and Hydrowave.