Tripp Berlinksy of the University of North Alabama has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket at Watauga Lake presented by Lew’s with a total of 19 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo by Austin McCartney/B.A.S.S.
Sept. 26, 2025
Productive morning leads Berlinsky to the top on Day 1 at Watauga Lake
CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. — Tripp Berlinksy opened the 2025 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket at Watauga Lake presented by Lew’s with a bang, landing a mixed bag of primarily smallmouth weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces to pace the eight-angler field on Day 1.
Anchoring his bag with a 4 1/2-pound bronze-back, the University of North Alabama sophomore holds a 2-2 advantage over Lander’s Garrett Smith. More importantly at this juncture, he holds a more than 5-pound advantage over fifth-place Zach Helton, the first man out of the cut if the tournament ended today.
At the end of tomorrow’s second round, the Top 4 anglers will advance to the Bracket, where they will go head-to-head for a spot in Monday’s Championship round.
The timing of his day couldn’t have worked out any better. Berlinsky was hampered by battery issues in his boat during his practice for the 2025 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, so much so that his parents made a trip to east Tennessee with new batteries.
His first cast landed over a dock cable, but it also resulted in his first keeper of the day. Berlinsky proceeded to fill out most of his limit in the first two hours of the day, allowing him to spend the next six hours practicing for the next three days. The last several minutes of the afternoon yielded a quality largemouth that made the trip back to weigh-in.
“I only got an hour and a half of practice the second day of practice,” he said. “Being able to go and practice today was huge for me. I was able to get out there and explore instead of only worrying about catching them.”
Using his forward-facing sonar, Berlinsky has identified a specific bottom composition the bass are utilizing as well as areas of the lake where the forage is gathering. Two baits trigger all his bites on Day 1.
Although his Day 1 tally wouldn’t show it, Berlinsky noticed the abundant sunshine seemed to hurt his bite as the day went along.
“I don’t think anyone else is doing it, so I think that is part of the reason I’m having success with it,” he said. “They are anywhere from 2 feet of water to 10 feet of water.”
With a significant lead over the fourth and fifth place anglers, Berlinsky is afforded quite a bit of wiggle room on Day 2 and hopes to take advantage of the cushion he has built.
“My plan is to put together 14 or 15 pounds tomorrow to make sure I make it to the third day,” he said. “You are never safe, but I want to catch a decent limit and hopefully find some bigger bass.”
Smith is second with 17-12 followed by Stephen F. Austin’s Ben Burns in third with 15-6 and Lander’s Andrew Blanton in fourth with 15-3. Helton is currently the first man out with 14-9 followed by Carson-Newman’s Blake Wheat in sixth with 13-14, UNA’s Bryce Dimauro in seventh with 12-9 and SFA’s Grant Pursiful in eighth with 3-4.
All eight competitors will return to the water starting at 7 a.m. ET at Cove Ridge Marina and Resort. Weigh-in will begin at approximately 3 p.m. The Top 4 anglers at the conclusion of Day 2 will advance to Semifinal Sunday, which will be a bracket style tournament. The No. 1 seeded angler will go head-to-head against the No. 4 seeded angler while No. 2 will compete against No. 3.
The winners of those head-to-head matches will face off in the finals and the winner will advance to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour and will earn entry into the 2026 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN with the use of a fully-rigged Nitro Boat and Toyota Tundra.
This event is being hosted by Carter County Tourism.
2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops/Lew’s – College Bracket 9/26-9/29
Watauga Lake, Carter County TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Tripp Berlinsky – University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 5 19-14 Total: 5 19-14
2. Garrett Smith – Lander University 0
Day 1: 5 17-12 Total: 5 17-12
3. Ben Burns – Stephen F Austin State Universit 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Total: 5 15-06
4. Andrew Blanton – Lander University 0
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
5. Zach Helton – Carson-Newman University 0
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
6. Blake Wheat – Carson-Newman University 0
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
7. Bryce Dimauro – University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
8. Grant Pursifull – Stephen F Austin State Universit 0
Day 1: 2 03-04 Total: 2 03-04
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 37 112-07
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7 37 112-07