Saturday, January 10, 2026

Darrell Stephens 6.62 leads Day 1 of the Big Bass Tour on Smith Mountain Lake

Date:

Welcome to Smith Mountain Lake, where the Big Bass Tour just wrapped up an intense first day. The competitors were eager and ready, each with their sights set on reeling in the biggest bass. Early in the morning, the lake was buzzing with anticipation, and the early catches didn’t disappoint. Among these, Darrell Stephens emerged as the day one leader with an impressive 6.62-pound bass, closely followed by Justin Woodrow 6.56 & Timothy Durham who snagged a 6.11-pounder rounding out the top three. It was a promising start, but as the sun rose the day’s challenge became apparent.

As the morning’s excitement gave way to bluebird skies, the promising start seemed like a distant memory. The average weight of the catches started to drop, with most fish weighing in around 3 pounds. It was clear the day was going to be tough. Anglers shared stories of sighting larger bass that, frustratingly, couldn’t be caught. It was a day filled with what-ifs and close calls, a true test of skill, patience, and a bit of luck.

The question now is, what will day two bring? The elusive 9-pound bass still swims free in Smith Mountain Lake, challenging our anglers to step up their game. As we look forward to another day of competition, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top on Sunday evening.

For those of us on the sidelines, the stories from the lake are as compelling as the competition itself. The camaraderie among the anglers, the shared tales of the one that got away, and the photographs capturing the day’s highs and lows paint a vivid picture of the event. It’s a reminder of the allure of fishing – a blend of peaceful nature and fierce competition.

As we gear up for day two, let’s hope for more impressive catches, more stories, and maybe, just maybe, that someone will reel in that 9-pounder. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Smith Mountain Lake, where the spirit of fishing is alive and thriving.


Whether you’re an angler yourself or just love a good fishing story, the Big Bass Tour at Smith Mountain Lake is a testament to the thrill of the sport. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for our competitors and hope that day two brings even more excitement!

CLICK HERE TO SEE RESULTS



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