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Saturday, December 13, 2025
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Alabama’s Fisher Anaya has taken the lead on Day 3 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship with a total of 19 pounds, 8 ounces.

Brian Carter
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Alabama’s Fisher Anaya has taken the lead on Day 3 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship with a total of 19 pounds, 8 ounces.

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

Dec. 5, 2025

Fisher Anaya takes “surprise” lead on Day 1 of Classic Fish-Off

ANDERSON, S.C. — Fans following the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off online likely were surprised to see Fisher Anaya, a super-talented 20-year-old angler from Eva, Ala., apparently zeroed Friday on Day 1 of the derby at Lake Hartwell.

That wasn’t the case, though. Far from it.

BassTrakk, the digital phone app used to report weights of the bass caught throughout the day, was malfunctioning for the marshal aboard Anaya’s boat. So, while folks at home might have thought Anaya was striking out on this 76,450-acre reservoir, the young phenom actually was hitting a home run on this fabled fishery straddling the South Carolina/Georgia border.

Anaya stormed to the top of the leaderboard Friday with a limit of five bass weighing 19 pounds, 8 ounces. The Classic Fish-Off will be determined Saturday when the 10 remaining anglers in what was a field of 400 conclude the final tournament of the 2025 Bassmaster season. At stake, of course, is the final spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn.

Most of the other nine anglers in the Fish-Off are hot on Anaya’s heels, however, with just more than 5 pounds separating seventh place from Anaya’s pole position. Barrett Choquette, an 18-year-old Alabaman who fishes for Troy University, is second with 18-13. Bradley Day, who fishes with the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive No Scope Series and lives about two minutes from the docks at Hartwell’s Green Pond Landing, is third with 18-10.

Anaya said his marshal informed him halfway through Friday’s competition that the BassTrakk app wasn’t registering weights he punched into his phone.

“I told him, ‘Well, I guess we’re gonna’ surprise some people,’” Anaya said, laughing.

Because he was unable to report his catch, Anaya led off Friday’s weigh-in at Green Pond Landing. He had a bounty to share, too.

“I caught probably 15 pounds in the first 20 minutes this morning,” Anaya said. “Soon as I got to my spot, I caught three big largemouth. A little later, I ran new water and caught another big one and then I found an area that had a bunch of big ones –— looked like they all were 4 pounders. I caught one and then left. So, I’m hoping they stick there for tomorrow. I’m not sure where I’ll start, but I’m gonna’ run around and hopefully find the ones I need to win this thing.”

After catching his best bass off points and just inside pockets during the Team Championship portion of this event, Anaya said bass now are stacking in the backs of shallow drains as winter conditions continue to take hold of the Palmetto State. Temperatures hovered around 40 degrees most of Friday with low cloud cover casting a gray pall over the expanse of Hartwell.

Still, Anaya’s growing star has shined.

“I’ve been throwing a Neko (green pumpkin Crush City Janitor Worm) and I have caught a few on a shad-colored minnow this week,” he said. “I started in about 20 feet of water to begin the week. and I probably caught them in about 10 feet today. I had four largemouth after weighing nothing but spots the first few days. Things have been unpredictable, but I know there are at least five more largemouth swimming out there, I’ve just got to stumble across them.”

This is Anaya’s second consecutive trip to the Classic Fish-Off. He and his dad, Ryan, finished third in last year’s Team Championship at Kentucky Lake, and Fisher placed third of the six anglers who qualified for the 2024 Fish-Off.

The Anayas finished fifth in this year’s Team Championship, which concluded Thursday. To their benefit, the 2025 Fish-Off field was expanded from six anglers to 10, allowing the duo from the Alabama Bass Trail another crack at a Classic Fish-Off.

The younger Anaya again is making the most of his opportunity, though he’s already proved his mettle in some of the sport’s biggest events. He finished atop the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifier Points Standings last month, guaranteeing him a spot in the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series for the next two years. He also finished no lower than 24th in the four Division 2 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN held earlier this year.

Choquette had to finish exams at Troy before he could head north to Hartwell for the Team Championship. He and his brother, Hudson Choquette, represent the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation, and they finished fourth in team tournament. Now Barrett is within a pound of the lead in the biggest derby of his life.

“My brother was up here for practice and found our best spots, so I left those to him today,” Barrett Choquette said. “I ran all new water today and it all paid off, surprisingly.”

Choquette said he’s fishing shallow water along Hartwell’s banks. He primarily used a Neko rig (green pumpkin) on Friday.

“There weren’t many bites. I think every bite I had came in the boat. They were nice to me today. They all ate it deep.”

Day, a 27-year-old fishing home water, said his bite came later on Friday.

“It was 11 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon for me today,” Day said “That was the window. This lake is so prone to those little windows, you have to be around them when they’re biting.”

Day said he’s cruising shallow water on the southern end of Hartwell. He’s relied on a Shaky Head worm and a jig this week, both in green pumpkin variety, but said he’s prepared to switch his approach if necessary.

“You have to fish the day,” he said. “You can fish a few history places, but eventually you have to let the day unfold.”

Justin Raines, of the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive No Scope Series, and Peyton Sorrow, of the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Fall Series, are tied for fourth with 17 pounds caught Friday.

Sorrow teamed with Dalton Head to win the Team Championship on Thursday, and Head now is in sixth place in the Fish-Off with 16-1. Rounding out the field are Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Scope Trail teammates Austin McCall (14-5) and Xander Patton (13-2). Hudson Choquette is ninth with 11-14 and Ryan Anaya is 10th with 8-8.

In all, 200 teams from 48 different states and three other countries qualified for the Team Championship via their respective team trails. A total of $120,000 was divided among the Top 50 teams competing at Lake Hartwell, including $50,000 to Head and Sorrow.

The final day of the Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off is scheduled to begin at 7:20 a.m. ET Saturday. The final weigh-in is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. 

Visit Anderson and Green Pond Landing are hosting the week’s events.





Finesse Tactics for Winter Bass!

Brian Carter
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Finesse Tactics for Winter Bass!
Bass are cold-blooded, so when water temperatures drop, their metabolism naturally slows, and they become far less willing to chase fast-moving lures. This shift means anglers must rely on smaller, slower presentations that match how baitfish behave in winter. Soft plastics like worms, beetles, craw-styled baits, lizards, or insect larvae excel because they can be worked gently without forcing unnatural movement. Instead of covering water quickly, winter success often comes from letting a bait sit or fall slowly to give bass time to evaluate it. Since bass feed less frequently, your window for getting bites is smaller, making precision and patience essential. When you combine natural behavior, slower pacing, and subtle actions, winter finesse fishing becomes one of the most reliable cold-water strategies. It’s also important to avoid overworking your bait because excess rod movement can make it look unnatural in clear, cold water. Bass often strike when a lure is doing almost nothing, so long pauses can be just as important as the initial presentation. The colder the water gets, the more valuable it becomes to keep a soft plastic in the strike zone for extended periods. Even small depth adjustments of a foot or two can place your bait right where winter bass are holding. Mastering this slower, more deliberate approach really helps you capitalize on the limited feeding windows winter bass provide anglers.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the HellaMite Pro Pack, which is loaded with 60 baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility.
Bass tend to hold in deeper, more stable areas during the winter months, especially close to main-lake structure. Long points, steep drop-offs, and edges of flats provide them with quick access to both food and comfortable water temps. Electronics become an invaluable tool this time of year because finding baitfish almost always leads you to bass. It’s common to locate large groups of fish in small sections of the lake, especially where deep structure intersects with nearby feeding zones. Even the best soft-plastic presentation won’t work if you’re not around fish, making location the top priority. Once you find the right depth and structure, slow and natural soft-plastic presentations become effective. Small depth changes can make a big difference, so it often pays to adjust your boat positioning or cast angle until you dial in exactly where bass are holding. Winter fish frequently stack tightly on specific contour lines, so mapping tools and sonar can help you pinpoint these small but productive zones. Instead of fishing entire areas, focus on the exact pieces of structure where baitfish naturally collect. Bass also shift with weather changes, so revisiting productive spots throughout the day can reveal new groups moving in. By prioritizing location and refining it to the smallest details, your soft-plastic presentations will consistently reach fish.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, and the Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action that triggers strikes!
This technique revolves around a lightly weighted soft plastic hooked through the middle so it flutters and wobbles as it sinks. The magic lies in the bait’s irregular fall, which mimics the slow, unsteady movements of distressed cold-water forage. Bass in winter often prefer to watch a bait fall rather than chase something swimming past them, and this method keeps the bait in their strike zone longer. Soft plastics like worms, beetles, craw-styled baits, and insect larvae produce excellent results because they respond naturally to wacky-style rigging. The unpredictability of the descent frequently triggers instinctive strikes even from inactive fish. When you need a subtle but attention-grabbing presentation, this old-school technique is one of the most effective winter tools available. Letting the bait fall on slack line enhances its natural action and keeps you from restricting the movement that makes the technique effective. Many strikes happen before the bait ever reaches bottom, so watching your line closely is just as important as feeling for a bite. Because the bait moves slowly and erratically, bass have more time to study it, which often leads to deliberate but committed strikes. This technique is especially useful in clear water where fish rely heavily on sight and react strongly to unusual movement. By focusing on a natural, unpredictable fall, you give winter bass a presentation they rarely ignore.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater.
When your bait falls freely on a slack line, it can move without tension, creating natural spirals, glides, or small vibrations. Bass often strike during this fall because it imitates vulnerable forage drifting downward. Allowing the bait to touch bottom before moving it can give sluggish winter fish extra time to commit. Once the bait settles, small, controlled shakes with minimal rod movement keep the presentation realistic without pulling it out of the strike zone. The slower and more natural the movement, the more bites you’ll generate in cold water. Understanding and trusting the slack-line fall is essential to mastering finesse fishing during the winter months. Many anglers struggle with this because the bite can be extremely natural, often showing up as nothing more than the line stopping or shifting direction. Keeping a slight bow in the line allows the bait to work freely while still letting you detect these soft winter bites. The goal is to let the lure do the work rather than forcing it into action with big rod movements. Even the smallest amount of tension can alter the bait’s glide, so practicing patience becomes just as important as lure choice. When done correctly, the slack-line fall turns a simple soft plastic into a highly effective cold-water bait that bass cannot resist.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round!
Light line and a soft-tipped spinning rod allow your soft plastic to move freely and naturally through the water. Using the lightest weight possible ensures the bait falls slowly, giving bass plenty of time to observe and strike. Soft plastics like worms, insect larvae, and craw-styled baits become far more lifelike when unburdened by heavy weights or stiff tackle. This setup also improves sensitivity, helping you detect the subtle winter bites that often feel like nothing more than added tension. Because bass aren’t aggressive in cold water, an overly heavy or restrictive setup can kill the natural action that triggers strikes. When finesse fishing in winter, scaling down your gear creates a presentation that bass simply cannot resist. Light gear also allows your bait to hover or glide with minimal input, which mirrors the slow movements of cold-water forage. Ultra-light setups make it easier to keep your soft plastic in the strike zone without pulling it away from hesitant fish. Reduced weight also keeps your fall rate consistent, letting you fine-tune how long the bait hangs in front of bass. This approach is especially effective in clear water, where fish inspect lures closely before committing. By downsizing your entire setup, you give winter bass the most natural look as possible. That realism often makes the difference between getting bites or nothing.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out, along with some of our newest colors, including the Brown Worm, Electric Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater.
Bass often suspend around vertical cover such as timber, pilings, deep docks, and bluff walls during cold periods. Dropping a lightly weighted soft plastic beside these structures allows the bait to fall slowly right in front of the fish. Because bass can sit and watch the bait for several seconds, the slow descent gives them more time to react. Open-water areas with baitfish nearby are also excellent targets because winter bass rarely leave food sources. Letting a soft plastic glide, wobble, or shake naturally through these zones can lead to some of the most consistent bites of the season. Targeting the right structure with the right fall is the foundation of winter finesse success. Vertical presentations also help you stay directly above the fish, reducing the chances of pulling your bait away from suspended schools. When bass are holding tight to shade or shadow lines on deep docks, a slow-falling soft plastic dropped beside the pilings can draw reaction bites. In open water, following contour lines and bait clouds with your electronics helps you stay in productive areas longer. Smaller rod lifts and controlled slack let your bait rise and fall naturally, which is especially effective when fish are suspended between depths. Mastering these vertical and open-water approaches gives you access to winter bass that many anglers overlook.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass.
This technique uses a small soft plastic paired with subtle rod shakes to create tiny movements the fish can’t resist. Unlike faster presentations, doodling keeps the bait close to the bottom, where winter bass are often staged. The goal is to maintain tension without moving the bait too far so cold-water fish can easily intercept it. Lures like worms, beetles, craw-styled baits, and insect larvae work well because they respond to gentle shakes with lifelike quivers. Bites often feel extremely subtle, making sensitivity and patience essential when practicing this method. For anglers who want to trigger sluggish bass, doodling offers a dependable, time-tested cold-water strategy. Because the bait stays in place for long periods, doodling excels on rocky points, ledges, and hard-bottom areas where bass sit tight. The clicking or subtle vibration created by light terminal tackle can help bass hone in on your bait even in deeper water. Maintaining a slightly taut line helps you detect changes in pressure that signal a bite, even when the fish barely moves. Slow, steady shaking is usually more effective than aggressive movements, especially when the water is at its coldest. When mastered, doodling allows you to present a soft plastic with precision and finesse, turning inactive winter bass into willing biters.
We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you precious time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure.





December Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report by Captain Chad Green

Brian Carter
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December Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report by Captain Chad Green

🎣 Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Forecast: December
Report Prepared By:
Captain Chad Green
Last Cast Guide Service SML
www.lastcastguideservicesml.com

Essential Resources & Support
Anglers are encouraged to maximize their time on the water and practice catch and release whenever possible to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our fisheries.

CategoryPartner / ResourceContact / Website
Tackle & GearIndian Point Marina (at Hales Ford Bridge)Visit in Person
Lures & BaitsMissile Baitshttps://missilebaits.store/
Boating NeedsSmith Mountain Boat and Tackle (Penhook)https://www.smboats.com
Special ThanksBrian Carter at The Bass Casthttps://thebasscast.com/

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Both bass species are exhibiting a winter phase this month. Anglers should anticipate fish occupying a wide range of depths due to the currently low and clear water conditions.
Key Target Areas: Focus efforts on rocky structures, flat points, shallow drop-offs, and deeper dock locations.
Effective Techniques and Lures:
Moving Baits: Highly effective during morning hours and likely to yield quality catches.
Primary Winter Lures: Baits designed to imitate crawfish and baitfish typically generate the highest catch rates.
Bottom Presentation: Shakey Heads, Drop Shots, Jerkbaits and Jigs are productive in depths ranging from 5 to 15 feet. Crankbaits are also a significant component of the winter arsenal. Look for fish suspended or near bait in the 15-25 ft range also this time of year as the water cools. Windy days with sunshine will be the most productive.
This time of year presents an excellent trophy fish opportunity. Smallmouth Bass are consistently located near humps, shoals, and rocky areas, and respond to the same lure presentations.
Conditions: Low water levels will continue to present a challenging fishing conditions. We are in a time period now where snow/rain runoff will help raise the water levels back to normal. Trophy sized fish can still be caught right now as we enter the winter phases.

Striped Bass (Stripers)
Striped Bass activity is projected to be strong this month as the species aggregates into larger schools in preparation for the fall season. Fish may also be observed moving in smaller groups while actively seeking feeding opportunities.
Location and Depth: The majority of the action is concentrated from the mid-lake to the upper end.
Jigging: Technique remains productive throughout the day in the 30- to 50-foot depth range. Larger individuals may appear periodically within these smaller traveling schools.
Structural Focus: Target the mouths of major tributaries and large bay areas.

Crappie
The majority of Crappie catches are currently being reported in the 15- to 25-foot depth range.





Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech Surges to 140 Anglers

Brian Carter
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Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech Surges to 140 Anglers

Only 10 Spots Remain Before Field Reaches Full Capacity

BENTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech has climbed to 140 professional anglers committed to all six stops, leaving just 10 spots remaining before the field reaches its 150-pro cap for the upcoming season.

The continued surge in commitments reinforces the strength and momentum behind the Pro Circuit’s revamped format – including the return of a consistent, season-long field across all six events. With full-time pros filling nearly every available slot, the league is poised to deliver one of its most competitive seasons in years.

“This kind of response tells you everything you need to know about where the Pro Circuit is headed,” said MLF Pro Circuit Tournament Director Kevin Hunt. “We worked hand-in-hand with a large coalition of anglers to build a program that puts fairness first, eliminates jackpotting and gives every pro the same opportunities at every stop. We’re proud of what’s been created, and we’re even more excited to see this field go to work in 2026.”

Registration remains open to professional anglers wishing to compete in all six events, however the field will close once the 150-angler cap is reached.

Anglers still interested in joining the 2026 campaign can enter by phone at 270.252.1000, or if you have questions about the events, call tournament director Kevin Hunt at 270.205.5155. For the complete Pro Circuit schedule, rules and payouts, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The first 140 pros that have signed up for all six stops on the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech are:

    • Charles Abshire, Lake Charles, La.
    • Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C.
    • Allen Armour, Cumming, Ga.
    • Kyle Austin, Ridgeville, S.C.
    • Bobby Bakewell, Orlando, Fla.
    • Teimuraz (Tom) Balachvili, Scarsdale, N.Y.
    • Jay (Striker) Barnett, Locust Grove, Ga.
    • Matt Baty, Bainbridge, Ga.
    • Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn.
    • Tripp Berlinsky, Florence, Ala.
    • Josh Bertrand, San Tan Valley, Ariz.
    • Daryl Biron, Meriden, Conn.
    • Daniel Blackert, Richfield, Ohio
    • Chris Blanchette, Edisto Island, S.C.
    • Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn.
    • Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark.
    • Alex Bradley, Wellford, S.C.
    • John Brown, Wedowee, Ala.
    • Dennis Burdette, Pembroke, Va.
    • Miles Burghoff, Dayton, Tenn.
    • Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio
    • Tyler Campbell, Martin, Ga.
    • Brett Carnright, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
    • Eddie Carper, Valliant, Okla.
    • Brent Chapman, Lenexa, Kan.
    • Mark Condron, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
    • Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla.
    • Ben Cox, Andrews, S.C.
    • (Skeeter) Wayne Crosby, Green Pond, S.C.
    • John Dial, Winter Haven, Fla.
    • Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala.
    • Tony Dumitras, Winston, Ga.
    • Charlie Evans, Berea, Ky.
    • Ty Faber, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
    • Ron Farrow, Rock Hill, S.C.
    • Louis Fernandes, Santa Maria, Calif.
    • Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill.
    • Samuel Fish, Chelsea, Ala.
    • Mark Fisher, Wauconda, Ill.
    • Terry Fisher, Decatur, Ala.
    • Jeff Fitts, Keystone Heights, Fla.
    • Shinichi Fukae, Harlem, Ga.
    • Nick Gainey, Charleston, S.C.
    • Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
    • Kyle Glasgow, Guin, Ala.
    • Kyle Goldstein, Paso Robles, Calif.
    • Will Gordon, Athens, Ill.
    • Robert Grabow, Morgantown, W. Va.
    • Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala.
    • Christian Greico, New Bern, N.C.
    • Mitchell Grimsley, Hiawassee, Ga.
    • Tommy Guthke, Anderson, S.C.
    • Blake Hall, Rogersville, Ala.
    • Will Harkins, Blairsville, Ga.
    • Byron Haseotes, West Newton, Mass.
    • Brian Hatfield, Spring City, Tenn.
    • Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas
    • Connor Jacob, Peoria, Ill.
    • Lake Johnson, Trinity, Ala.
    • Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas
    • Richard Kee, Somerville, Tenn.
    • Blake Keener, Douglasville, Ga.
    • Aidan Kerlin, Nags Head, N.C.
    • Frank Kitchens III, Oxford, Ga.
    • Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas
    • Clint Knight, Russellville, Ky.
    • Parker Knudsen, Shakopee, Minn.
    • Levi Kohl, Edinburg, Ill.
    • Preston Kolisek, Loretto, Tenn.
    • Andrew Krintz, Brookston, Ind.
    • Ryan Lachniet, Gum Spring, Va.
    • Parker Lambert, Riegelsville, Pa.
    • Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.
    • Cal Lane, Grant, Ala.
    • Christopher Lane, Guntersville, Ala.
    • Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C.
    • Michael Leach, Shenandoah, Texas
    • Robby Lefere, Jackson, Mich.
    • John Levesque, Nashua, N.H.
    • Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga.
    • Steve Lopez, Oconomowoc, Wis.
    • Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky.
    • Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va.
    • Terry Luedtke, Burton, Texas
    • Adam Lynn, Culleoka, Tenn.
    • Kevin Madeley, Brookeland, Texas
    • Matt Massey, Saint Augustine, Fla.
    • Mike Mayo, Athens, Texas
    • Julius Mazy, Phoenix, Ariz.
    • Bill McDonald, Greenwood, Ind.
    • T.J. Mckenzie, Georgetown, S.C.
    • Brandon McMillan, Clewiston, Fla.
    • Bryan McNeal, Madison, Ala.
    • Neal McWhorter, Hiram, Ga.
    • Grant Meisenhelter, Decatur, Ill.
    • Jesse Millsaps, Jasper, Ga.
    • Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas
    • John Murray, Spring City, Tenn.
    • Britt Myers, Clover, S.C.
    • Britt Myers Jr., Clover, S.C.
    • Christian Nash, Allons, Tenn.
    • Riley Nielsen, Murray, Utah
    • Andrew Nordbye, Guntersville, Ala.
    • Carter Nutt, Nashville, Tenn.
    • Dylan Nutt, Nashville, Tenn.
    • Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala.
    • Terry Olinger, Louisa, Va.
    • Lane Olson, Forest Grove, Ore.
    • Bruce Parsons, Arbela, Mo.
    • Austin Pemberton, Tuscola, Texas
    • Keith Poche, Cecil, Ala.
    • Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas
    • Charlie Reed Jr., Gloucester, Va.
    • Dusty Rice, Breaux Bridge, La.
    • Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.
    • Marty Robinson, Landrum, S.C.
    • Ricky Robinson, Greenback, Tenn.
    • Fred Roumbanis, London, Ark.
    • Roman Ryan, Madison, Wis.
    • Jackson Ryley, Clinton, Ind.
    • Cason Sanchez, Flintville, Tenn.
    • Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill.
    • Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
    • Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn.
    • Blake Smith, Lakeland, Fla.
    • Miles Smith, Houma, La.
    • Robert Sparks, Heflin, La.
    • Kennie Steverson, Umatilla, Fla.
    • Tyler Stewart, Dubach, La.
    • Troy Stokes, Trenton, Mich.
    • Mike Surman, Boca Raton, Fla.
    • Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La.
    • Matteo Turano, Puryear, Tenn.
    • Jason Vance, Battle Ground, Ind.
    • Todd Walters, Kernersville, N.C.
    • Jimmy Washam, Stantonville, Tenn.
    • Joseph Webster, Hamilton, Ala.
    • Jordan Wiggins, Cullman, Ala.
    • Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn.
    • Thomas Wooten, Huddleston, Va.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.

For regular Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.





Sorrow and Head post convincing victory at TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

Brian Carter
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Sorrow and Head post convincing victory at TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

Dalton Head and Peyton Sorrow of the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Fall Series have won the Team Championship portion of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship with a two-day total of 38 pounds, 9 ounces. The Top 5 teams will compete in the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship Fish-Off Dec. 5-6. 

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

Dec. 4, 2025

Sorrow and Head post convincing victory at TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

ANDERSON, S.C. — There is no sorrow when you’re head of the pack on the final day of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship.

In fact, smiles abounded for Peyton Sorrow and Dalton Head on Thursday after they posted a commanding win on Lake Hartwell.

The tandem, representing the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Fall Series, caught limits of five bass on both days of the derby, giving them a total of 10 bass for 38 pounds, 9 ounces. That was more than 5 pounds heavier than their closest competitors and it secured Sorrow and Head the $50,000 cash prize awarded to the winning duo on this 76,450-acre reservoir along the South Carolina/Georgia border.

Both Sorrow, 21, and Head, 22, compete for the University of Montevallo (Ala.) bass fishing team. Sorrow is from Abbeville, S.C., less than 40 miles southeast of historic Green Pond Landing, and he cut his teeth fishing on Hartwell. Head, a native of Moody, Ala., often travels north with his teammate to try his luck at one of America’s most-fabled bass fisheries.

The pair fished with that sort of knowledge and confidence in the Team Championship. After catching 22-13 on Day 1 (good for a 4 1/2 -pound cushion on the field), they followed with 15-12 on what proved to be a difficult day for most anglers. A 2 1/2-hour fog delay complicated matters with boats not taking off until 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

“Yesterday we had a really quick start and that helped relax us,” Head said. “Today, when we didn’t start quickly, it kind of felt like the wheels were spinning off. But we just kept plunking away and it eventually worked out for us.”

Sorrow said he and Head had nine bites between them on Thursday, when Hartwell’s bite was altered beneath heavy cloud cover and temperatures that didn’t climb out of the 40s. In all, 115 of the teams caught limits on Thursday when 163 had limits a day earlier.

“We weighed two largemouth and three (spotted bass) today,” Sorrow said. “Of the nine bites, two were nonkeepers and two others were extremely small. The five we weighed really counted today.”

That certainly was a different scenario than seen on Wednesday, when Head lit into a 6-3 largemouth early and Sorrow hooked a 5-12 late in the day to pad their lead.

“We were throwing a crawfish-colored jig and a green pumpkin Neko worm in anywhere from 15 feet of water to 8 feet of water,” Sorrow said. “We were putting the trolling motor down and stopping at anything that looked good, whether it was a steep drop on a point or a long, flat point. We’d move really slow and try to pick it apart … Some of the fish were suspended and some were so tight to the bottom you couldn’t see them.”

With the victory, Sorrow and Head advance to the Classic Fish-Off portion of this tournament, to be held Friday and Saturday on Hartwell. The Top 5 tandems in the Team Championship (10 anglers in all) have had their weights zeroed and they’ll fish individually, with the leader after Saturday’s weigh-in claiming the last spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn.

Joining them in the Fish-Off are, second, Bradley Day and Justin Raines, Lake Hartwell 5 Alive No Scope, 33-5, $17,000; third, Xander Patton and Austin McCall, Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Scope Trail, 33-1, $12,000; fourth, Hudson Choquette and Barrett Choquette, Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation, 31-15, $8,000; and fifth, Fisher Anaya and Ryan Anaya, Alabama Bass Trail, 31-8, $6,000.

The Anayas, a father-son team, also reached the 2024 Team Championship at Kentucky Lake.

Brad Stalnaker and Chris Lumpkin, of Georgia-based Berry’s Team Trail, weighed the heaviest bass at Hartwell — a 6-4 they boated on Wednesday that earned them a $500 prize. Anderson Jones, of the South Carolina-based Palmetto Boat Center Series, won the Garmin Rewards Trolling Motor Award of $500 for being the top angler using that equipment in the tournament. Jared Whitt, of West Virginia-based Ferguson’s Great Outdoors Trail, won the Garmin Rewards Electronics Award of $500.

In all, 200 teams from 48 different states and three other countries qualified for the Team Championship via their respective team trails. A total of $120,000 was divided among the Top 50 teams competing at Lake Hartwell.

Barrett Newton and Wesley Kent were disqualified from the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship for violation of Rule No. 5, Part III, regarding receiving information from a noncompetitor about catching bass on tournament waters during a no-information period.

Historic Green Pond Landing, 470 Green Pond Road, in Anderson, S.C., is home to the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship and Classic Fish-Off. Day 1 of the Fish-Off is set to begin at 7:20 a.m. ET on Friday. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.  

Visit Anderson and Green Pond Landing are hosting the week’s events.





Ryan Grattan & Danny Grattan win the CATT James River Fall final with 5 bass weighing 21.11 lbs!

Brian Carter
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Ryan Grattan & Danny Grattan win the CATT James River Fall final with 5 bass weighing 21.11 lbs!

CATT James River BassKings Solo Series schedule coming this week!

Ryan Grattan & Danny Grattan win the James River Fall final with 5 bass weighing 21.11 lbs!

Jay & Kat Griffin take 2nd place with 5 bass weighing 16.64 lbs!

Stacy Vassar & Kevin Davis were our 2025 Fall James River Points Champ!

TeamBFWeightWinnings
Ryan Grattan – Danny Grattan5.9921.11$1,800.00
Jay Griffin – Kat Griffin0.0016.64$600.00
Mike Caul – Mike Gunn0.0014.60
Harvey Reese – Bobby Harris0.0011.03
Stacy Vassar – Kevin Davis3.5210.94
Sam Pollock – Richard Williams0.0010.74
Donnie Meade – Brian Brooks0.0010.57
Joe Krevenick – John Koren0.0010.15





Lew’s® Unveils the All-New Accel Baitcast Reel and Combo for Precision and Performance

Brian Carter
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Lew’s® Unveils the All-New Accel Baitcast Reel and Combo for Precision and Performance

Lew’s® is excited to announce the launch of a brand new product family: the Accel Baitcast Reel and Combo, a game-changing addition to their lineup that redefines the balance between high performance and affordability.

Columbia, SC – Designed to Accel-lerate the angler experience on the water, Accel delivers expectational performance and durability at an exceptional price.

The Accel Baitcast Reel stands out with its lightweight graphite frame and side covers, built for long-lasting durability and reliability. Its 5-bearing system, including 4 stainless steel double-shielded bearings and a Zero Reverse® one-way clutch bearing, ensures smooth and reliable performance with every cast. The advanced MC-1™ Externally Adjustable Magnetic Cast Control System allows for quick, precise adjustments, while the precision-machined brass Speed Gears®, crafted on Hamai CNC machines, deliver unmatched consistency and strength. Additionally, the anodized aluminum spool with Knot Slot and the 95mm anodized aluminum handle with contoured rubber knobs are engineered for ease of use, comfort, and reliability, even under pressure.

The Accel Baitcast Combo rod offers a perfect synergy of performance and design. The rod features an IM6 graphite blank, which strikes the ideal balance of strength and flexibility for a variety of fishing techniques. Stainless steel guides with matching inserts ensure smooth line performance over time, while the split grip EVA handle provides superior comfort and durability. The addition of Lew’s patented “No Foul” Hook Keeper and an exclusive graphite skeletal reel seat offers convenience, reduced weight, and a seamless, ergonomic grip.

With the Accel Baitcast Reel and Combo, Lew’s delivers premium performance while maintaining affordability. This series embodies Lew’s dedication to designing reliable and durable fishing equipment, ensuring an enhanced experience for anglers of all skill levels.

About Rather Outdoors

Rather Outdoors is a global outdoors corporation uniting some of the most recognizable brands in the fishing space. With historic and iconic brands such as Lew’s, Strike King, Quantum, Zebco, Fox, Matrix, Salmo, and Fox Rage, Rather Outdoors provides a wide assortment of fishing products worldwide in an effort to enhance angler’s success and the enjoyment of outdoor pursuits. To learn more about the Rather Outdoors brands, visit www.ratheroutdoors.com.





Registration opening soon for 2026 Bassmaster AmBASSador program

Brian Carter
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Registration opening soon for 2026 Bassmaster AmBASSador program

Dec. 4, 2025

Registration opening soon for 2026 Bassmaster AmBASSador program

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced today that registration will open to all B.A.S.S. Members Dec. 9 for the 2026 Bassmaster AmBASSador program, offering fans the opportunity to take part in the action at the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour and the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments.

The AmBASSador program gives passionate fans the chance to join the world’s top professional anglers on the water, providing an unparalleled behind-the-scenes look at competition days and preparation at the sport’s highest level.

AmBASSadors have the option of signing up for one Elite event or multiple throughout the season. The $99 Elite AmBASSador program fee and $500 Classic AmBASSador program fee awards participants an AFTCO shirt, an AFTCO hat, an AFTCO gift card, a B.A.S.S. hat and, most importantly, a front-row seat to the world’s best anglers in action. Elite Series AmBASSadors are guaranteed spots for Days 1 and 2 of competition. On Day 3, participation is limited to 30 AmBASSadors based on their registration timestamp and 10 Super AmBASSadors selected for blogging excellence. There are no AmBASSadors on the final day of competition. Classic AmBASSadors will have the opportunity to go out on Friday and Saturday of competition, with the option to participate on the practice day, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. On-site registration will be held Thursday, March 12, 2026.

“The AmBASSador program truly bridges the gap between fans and professional anglers,” said Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament Director Lisa Talmadge. “It allows people to see firsthand the dedication, skill and preparation that go into competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Every AmBASSador becomes part of the experience, and that’s something unique to B.A.S.S.”

“Having been an AmBASSador for 12 years, I’ve seen it all and I’ve ridden with them all,” said Super AmBASSador Gary Lee Robin. “Last year, I marshaled with Trey McKinney, Cooper Gallant and Kyoya Fujita to name a few, and let me tell you, these kids can catch ’em! Not only will you get to see the techniques and strategies they use from the inside of the boat, you will also get to know what great, positive people they truly are. Why would anyone walk into a tackle store, spend $200 for lures and bad info when you can spend $99 and ride with the best for two days? You’ll make a memory to keep for a lifetime.”

For more information on becoming an AmBASSador, including registration information and detailed guidelines, visit Bassmaster.com/Elite and look under Resources.





Derek Lehtonen Wins CATT Lake Hartwell, SC Nov 29, 2025. 16.94 lbs!

Brian Carter
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Derek Lehtonen Wins CATT Lake Hartwell, SC Nov 29, 2025. 16.94 lbs!

Next CATT SC Upstate Fall Qualifier si this coming Saturday December 6 at Lake Keowee – Mile Creek Park

Derek Lehtonen wins Lake Hartwell with 5 bass weighing 16.94 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Derek Lehtonen4.4616.94$640.00110
Michael Anders – Blake Anders4.5615.30$330.00109
Hoover – Hoover0.0014.54108
Blackwell – Griffith0.0013.06107
Stacy – Stacy0.0012.56106
Pitt – Gwynn0.0012.32105
TJ – Blake0.0011.08104
Jamie Jeffcoat0.0010.18103
Tab – Bill Francis0.0010.16102
Aiden Free0.007.04101
Morris – Owens0.006.74100
Richard Freeze0.000.0090
Cameron – Dave Holley0.000.0090
Total Entrys$1,170.00
BONUS $$250.00
Total Paid At Ramp$970.00
Points$300.00
2025 SC Upstate Fall Final Fund$220.00
CATT$50.00
2026 CATT Championship$50.00
2025 SC Upstate Fall Fund Total$480.00





Sorrow and Head take charge in TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

Brian Carter
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0
Sorrow and Head take charge in TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

Dalton Head and Peyton Sorrow of the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Fall Series have taken the lead on Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship at Lake Hartwell with a total of 22 pounds, 13 ounces. 

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

Dec. 3, 2025

Sorrow and Head take charge in TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

ANDERSON, S.C. — Peyton Sorrow and Dalton Head know Lake Hartwell pretty darn well, with Sorrow (who lives in nearby Abbeville, S.C.) frequently bringing his University of Montevallo teammate here to fish his home water.

Despite their advanced knowledge of this 76,450-acre reservoir along the South Carolina/Georgia border, neither young man expected to catch a 22-pound, 13-ounce limit on Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship.

Nevertheless, that was the result of a bountiful Wednesday on Hartwell for the tandem representing the Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Fall Series in the Team Championship. The 22-13 haul helped Sorrow and Head jump into the early lead in this two-day derby which boasts a $50,000 cash prize for first place — part of a $120,000 total cash purse up for grabs at Hartwell.

The Top 5 teams in the standings after Thursday’s weigh-in will advance to the Classic Fish-Off portion of this event, with the 10 anglers having their weights zeroed and fishing individually for two days. The winner of that competition will clinch the final spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn.

Sorrow and Head knew it was important to get a solid start in the Team Championship, and they did just that, putting a limit of approximately 15 pounds in the livewell early Wednesday morning. Then Head hooked a 6-3 largemouth that quickly improved their catch by another three pounds.

“We saw lots of fish (in practice) but they didn’t bite,” Sorrow said. “We went to those same areas today, though, and just hunkered down, trying to make things work.

“That big one took a lot of pressure off. It gave us a chance to go fish some new areas and practice for tomorrow. We were able to find some fresh fish and not just keep rotating through the ones we’d been beating up on.”

The new water was productive, too, with Sorrow adding a 5-12 to the mix late on Wednesday.

“We saw some fish there in practice, but we only looked at ’em,” Sorrow said. “And honestly, they didn’t look too big. But today, we threw at ’em and it was like turning on a light switch. That area had just blown up with big fish. We got that big bite then just looked at the rest of them. We let them be for tomorrow.”

Sorrow, 21, and Head, a 22-year-old Moody, Ala., resident, weren’t immediately sure of their Day 2 game plan. They have a few good areas to choose from — a fine problem to have with so much riding on Thursday’s results.

“This lake has a lot of big fish in it,” Sorrow said. “And they’re extremely smart, maybe the smartest fish in the country. They see a lot of pressure. So, anything can happen. We’ll talk about what we want to do and hopefully it works out for us.”

Damien Willis and Tyler Kiker, in second place after Day 1 with an 18-4 limit, have high hopes, too. Having combined for eight previous appearances in the Bassmaster Team Championship, Wednesday was by far the best show either angler has had in the event to date. The Alabama Bass Trail partners believe they figured something out midday that could benefit them as they seek a team title and berths in the Classic Fish-Off.

“It scares me how quickly these lakes can change,” Willis said. “But I think we may have found something. We didn’t catch any of the ones we weighed in today until maybe 9 a.m. We were seeing them but couldn’t catch them. When we changed baits, things started happening.”

Rounding out the Top 5 teams on Day 1 are third, Avery Padgett and David Fincher, of the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation, 17-15, fourth, Bradley Day and Justin Raines, of Lake Hartwell 5 Alive No Scope, 17-0; and fifth, Kyler Murray and Parker Guy, of Georgia-based Super 6 Shootout, 16-15. Fisher and Ryan Anaya, who compete with the Alabama Bass Trail and were one of three tandems to qualify for the 2024 Classic Fish-Off at Kentucky Lake, are currently in a tie for sixth place at Hartwell with 16-5. Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation duo Austin Moore and Jeffrey Lopez also caught 16-5 on Wednesday.

A total of 200 tandems from 48 different states and three other countries began the tournament. In all, 163 of the duos caught a five-fish limit on Wednesday. Brad Stalnaker and Chris Lumpkin, of Georgia-based Berry’s Team Trail, weighed the heaviest bass (6-4) on Day 1 and are in 12th place overall with 15-11.

Other notable tandems in the hunt include Tyler Campbell and Blake Campbell, of Lake Hartwell 5 Alive, in 10th place with 15-13. They were one of three teams to make the 2024 Classic Fish-Off cut, and Tyler Campbell won that portion of last year’s tournament, earning a spot in this year’s Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth, Texas. Clint Knight and Noah Morgan won last year’s Team Championship and are in 19th  place at Hartwell with 14-13. The Russellville, Ky., pair is representing the National Team Bass Association.

Historic Green Pond Landing, 470 Green Pond Road, in Anderson, S.C., is home to the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship. The Day 2 take-off is set to begin at 7:20 a.m. ET with weigh-ins starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.





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