Cold fronts could play a major factor at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops at Harris Chain of Lakes.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
Jan. 15, 2025
Harris Chain success will be weather dependent at first College Series event of the season
LEESBURG, Fla. — The 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops season kicks off at the Harris Chain of Lakes, and St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pro Bobby Bakewell believes weather conditions will play an important role.
“It is solely going to be dependent on cold fronts,” the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour qualifier said. “Everyone always thinks it is a slugfest, but it is either really good or it can be really tough. But there can be some really big bags that time of year for sure.”
Tournament days are scheduled for Jan. 22-23, with a one-day Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Bassmaster Junior Series tournament to follow on Jan. 26. The college event will be the first tournament of the three-event Legends Trail series. The Legends Trail Team of the Year will receive an automatic bid to the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s.
New for 2025, the top two highest-finishing teams in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Bass Pro Shops Team of the Year race as well as each team that stands atop the rankings in the Legends and Lunkers divisions of the College Series will receive the exclusive honor of being named a Bassmaster College All-American. The All-Americans will be honored on the biggest stage in bass fishing, the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Ever since Cole Sands and Conner DiMauro smashed the record books with their 2020 National Championship victory, the Harris Chain of Lakes has been a regular stop for the College Series, and the lake has produced massive bags every time. The College Series did not visit Leesburg last season, but the Elite Series did, and former Bethel angler John Garrett won that event with a four-day total of 84 pounds, 5 ounces.
Eight lakes make up the playing field for this event, but Bakewell believes Lake Apopka and Lake Griffin will be the most popular amongst the college anglers.
Just like many other early-season tournaments that take place in Florida, Bakewell believes the success of the field will be determined by weather. If a cold front moves through right before the tournament begins, the Orlando native anticipates a tough bite. If anglers are greeted with a warming trend, Bakewell could see a slugfest breaking out.
“If they are faced with the brunt of a cold front, it can make things very tough. It does not make Florida fish bite,” Bakewell said. “But if it is on the warmer side, it could be absolutely insane.”
A late-January event usually means the bass on the Harris Chain are either preparing to spawn or actively spawning, depending on conditions, meaning the bass will be fat and healthy. The moon will be trending toward a new moon as well.
Shellbars are a common staging point for the largemouth as well as grass edges, but as it stands there isn’t much in the way of hydrilla in the lakes.
“For the spawn, you are obviously going to be looking shallow, and then areas outside of that will hold prespawners. Shellbeds and grasslines will be key for that,” he said.
Only Lake Griffin features consistent hydrilla, according to Bakewell.
“Beauclair and Griffin are the only two lakes on the entire chain that have grass flats and semi-clear water,” Bakewell said. “They spray the heck out of all the grass and the only grass they won’t spray is eelgrass, which is what is predominantly in Beauclair. Griffin has so much hydrilla they can’t really eradicate it.
“As far as the other lakes go, you will be hard-pressed to find any grass. It will be a very subtle amount, but that subtle amount could win you the tournament.”
Bakewell anticipates Carolina rigs, Senkos, ChatterBaits and jerkbaits will all come into play during this event as well as sight-fishing baits for anglers who come across bass locked on bed.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is hosting the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2025 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2025 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano