A pair of 16.1-pound bags led the charge after the day of the Epic Baits 2026 NPFL Championship at Lewis-Smith Lake.
Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
South Carolina pro Corey Casey and Wisconsin pro Caleb Kuphall share the lead at the Epic Baits 2026 NPFL Championship with 16-1 on Day One.
What seemed like a tough Day One on Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama, for the Epic Baits 2026 NPFL Championship was quite the opposite at the weigh-in this afternoon from Smith Lake Park. When the dust settled, the 2026 season kicked off with a tie. South Carolina’s Corey Casey and Wisconsin’s Caleb Kuphall each brought 16-1 to the scales to grab a share of the Championship lead.
With big bites coming at a premium, both leaders capitalized when it mattered most, each landing his biggest bass of the week so far. Casey anchored his limit with a 4-11, while Kuphall’s 4-9 helped round out a pair of quality bags filled with solid, average Smith Lake bass.
While Live Coverage, which featured the top anglers from the 2025 NPFL standings, was slow, the bite was happening elsewhere. Both pros enjoyed steady and encouraging practice periods and had no problem translating that to the tournament, even with a day off on Wednesday to change things up.
Smith Lake is about normal for the time of year, but cooler temperatures mixed with overcast skies and periods of heavy rain offered slightly different conditions than the practice period. The field adjusted — all but one angler weighed in a bass, and 28 brought a limit to the scales. Big bass of the day was caught by JT Russell, weighing 5-2.
Casey Slows Down
While it’s easy to get running around, especially when you feel like a game plan is dialed, sometimes you have to slow down. Especially on Smith Lake, and especially for South Carolina pro Corey Casey when he got around other anglers on Day One.
“It was not easy by any means out there,” he said. “The big fish I caught today was the biggest one I’d caught this week, but I fished clean, moved when I needed, and slowed down when I felt like I needed to. If I did not put the brakes on today, I would have been in trouble.”
Despite never coming to Smith Lake ahead of a scouting mission before the off-limits period, this body of water was all new. Practice was consistent, and he was able to replicate some early success in different parts of the lake. More of the same on the water today, including an early big bite to calm any nerves he may have had.
“I started catching them quick, including the big fish, which helped things out,” he said. “But then it got slow. Finally, after 12 noon I filled a limit and just kept going. I caught plenty of quality in practice and quality again today. I don’t think timing plays a factor, at least not yet, but being in the right area made all the difference.”
With lots of boats around, he is unsure how the pressure will change things on Day Two. However, with no fear of running new water, he is confident there is more out there for the rest of the event.
“I fished a lot of new water today, and I will do the same tomorrow,” he added. “I just go until I find what I am looking for, then slow down and fish — mostly power fishing — and that’s my plan.”
Kuphall Runs-N-Guns
Similar to Casey, Caleb Kuphall got off to a fast start this morning soon after launch that set the tone for his entire day. First cast of the event, and he boated the biggest bass he has caught all week. Lucky or not — and he says it was — but with the history on Smith Lake, Kuphall knows how to catch bigger fish.
“I started off the morning with that big one and it just got things going,” he said. “It’s the same program I was running with success in practice today. I felt like the event may be tougher, but I caught some quality earlier this week and I caught eight of the right ones today.”
However, pressure is going to factor in. It’s just a matter of when. With many anglers fishing some of the right areas, Kuphall knows things are going to get tougher, and he may have to work to get some to bite as the week progresses.
“Today, if I was around one, it was going to bite — they were super aggressive,” he said. “What I am doing is how I love to fish, and I feel like I am pretty good at it. I know where to pull in, how to approach, and how to be stealthy. With that said, I only had 12 or 13 bites today, eight being keepers.”
Fishing in front of people, behind people, and amongst other anglers takes the right mindset. Thankfully, Kuphall is rotating as many spots as he can each day, and he isn’t wasting any time when he gets to his area. The trick is knowing where to look.
“I am fishing very fast, but efficiently when I get set up,” he added. “You cannot get the wrong angle, you cannot rush in, and your cast has to be precise. I am going from one piece of structure to the next, over and over again. It is going to get tougher, and I am not sure how long it will last, but with the weather changing the next two days, I am thankful for the good start today nonetheless.”
Top Ten:
Corey Casey 16-1
Caleb Kuphall 16-1
Kyle Welcher 15-6
Gerald Swindle 14-14
Derek Lehtonen 14-0
Hank Cherry 13-12
Chad Marler 13-7
Brandon Perkins 13-0
Bill Lowen 12-9
Buddy Gross 12-6
