Bassmaster Elite readies for its 5th stop at Lake Murray

The picturesque Lake Murray is all set to be the fifth pitstop for the Bassmaster Elite Series. Scheduled from Thursday, May 9, to Sunday, May 12, the tournament is expected to revolve around shad spawn and blueback herring spawn fishing, said Brandon Cobb, an Elite competitor.

Morning Baitfish

Bass are considered to be more active feeders during daybreak’s low-light conditions. Given this tendency, Cobb anticipates the beginning of the day, when shad and blueback herring spawns would be particularly active, to offer the best fishing prospects. Predominantly, the weight in the competition is predicted to come from these two spawns, he went on to add.

Launches for the tournament’s competition days will take place from Dreher Island State Park at 7 a.m. followed by daily weigh-ins at 3 p.m.

Invasive Species Changes Game Dynamics

Blueback herring, an inadvertently introduced species, is much at home in Lake Murray as it is in its native saltwater habitats. Originally endemic to the Atlantic coast, it is known to move back and forth between saltwater and freshwater environments. The species have settled comfortably in the lake which is actually a reservoir of the Saluda River.

During the spring spawning season, both shad and blueback herring, which normally inhabit deep offshore waters, become readily accessible as they come close to the shore. Anglers will likely flock towards docks, seawalls, and other hard cover along prominent shorelines to use this short window before sunlight pushes the bait deeper down.

Seasonal Trends and Tactics

Though Cobb hasn’t fished in the Lake Murray since the previous year’s Elite event, his familiarity with the seasonal weather patterns will come in handy in navigating the waters. The weather is particularly important because the murky winter and spring experienced in Lake Greenwood, an upstream lake along the same river basin, may have an impact on the conditions in Murray.

Cobb expects there may still be a minor leftover turbidity in the main river stretch from the muddy winter that Lake Greenwood, his home waters, recently experienced. He anticipates the other parts of Murray to exhibit normal springtime clearness.

Predicted Strategy for Elite Anglers

Cobb highlighted that despite the significant amount of bed fishing during the same season last year, bass is unlikely to be a major factor in this competition. He predicts that, due to the seasonal changes, the tournament’s overall weights could be less than that of the previous year. However, the competitor was hopeful, stating that anglers would need about 18 pounds per day to make it to the Top 10 and approximately 22 pounds per day to win the tournament.

A Glimpse into the Tournament

The championship carries a coveted trophy and a $100,000 first-place prize. 103 of the world’s top bass anglers, led by Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Illinois and local South Carolina pros like Todd Auten, Brandon Cobb, Bryan New, JT Thompkins, Patrick Walters, and Jason Williamson, are expected to participate.

The Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray event is open and free to the public. Bassmaster LIVE will cover the full event, and segments will also air on FS1.

This grand tournament is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country. This prestigious tournament promises a riveting display of skill and strategy, as participants go head-to-head in a thrilling competition to claim the top spot.