2025 Bassmaster Elite Series – The Road Ahead

This year’s Bassmaster Elite Series kicks off in mid-February, and with a few surprises. Two very unfamiliar bodies of water were added to the schedule, both of which could prove to be stellar events. One is the Pasquotank River in North Carolina, the other Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma.

Each year it seems the tour becomes increasingly more competitive, and 2025 will be no exception. Newly qualified are a number of young, hungry anglers ready to make their mark. Anticipating their arrival are last year’s rookies and a host of seasoned veterans. In all, it should prove to be a highly competitive field.

Making it even more challenging is the timing for numerous events on the schedule. To further explain that and what to expect, here’s a breakdown for each tour stop and what the anglers are up against.

St. Johns River:

The Series begins at the St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida. By the time we arrive, some bass should be spawning. That means the river’s many canals and spring-fed streams are sure to receive a considerable amount of traffic.

For those wanting to avoid the crowds, lily pad fields lining much of the river and its connecting creeks should offer a good option. Florida bass like to spawn on their roots, and some of the river’s biggest females can be caught from them.

Expect everything from topwaters to vibrating jigs and bottom-probing soft plastics to produce some heavy bags. Crankbaits and jerkbaits, too, will tempt their share. To predict the winning weight is difficult, but if the conditions are reasonably stable, a four-day, twenty-fish limit approaching 100 pounds is possible.

Okeechobee:

Although the Big O still produces heavyweight stringers, it’s not the lake it once was. Massive spraying campaigns have killed much of the lake’s lush vegetation and, as a consequence, the fish population has suffered. Even worse, the few healthy areas remaining receive a constant pounding from guides and recreational anglers.

Speed-style worms and frogs, along with a variety of other soft plastics are sure to get a workout. Bladed jigs and spinnerbaits, too, will see their fair share of action. For those choosing to access the lake’s many canals, they could score with jerkbaits, crankbaits and minnow-tipped jigs.

A winning weight between 80 and 90 pounds is likely, unless of course, a severe coldfront moves in. At that point, 60 to 65 pounds might be enough.

Pasquotank River:

New to the tour is this unique coastal fishery in North Carolina. Located at Elizabeth City in the northernmost part of Albemarle Sound, the anglers will enjoy a massive playing field. Influenced by tide, the fishery’s many features include multiple rivers, creeks and a massive, open water basin — all of which could be productive.  

The most dominant form of cover appears to be the many thousands of cypress trees lining the shallows. Docks and seawalls will also offer key targets. And considering the time of year we’re there, it’s likely the fish will be in all phases of the spawn. So expect a wide range of lures and tactics to play in this one. 

The angler who successfully blends old school tactics with a live sonar approach could take home the trophy.

Lake Hartwell:

This South Carolina reservoir is widely known for its healthy population of schooling bass. Whether that factors in at this time of year is uncertain.

Hartwell’s highly irregular shoreline offers countless points and pockets with which to explore. It’s also lined with boat docks and brushpiles, both of which could produce. But don’t discount the two main rivers that feed the lake. They, too, harbor good numbers of quality fish, many of which hold on downed trees and rocky banks. Pitching, flipping and cranking will apply there.

For the main lake and its adjacent coves, a wide spectrum of lures and tactics could work — including topwaters, jerkbaits, swimbaits and fluke-style rigs. Watch for the anglers most proficient with these various lures to make a run at the title.   

Lake Fork:

Home to trophy-size bass and four-day, 100-plus-pound stringers, Lake Fork will produce the biggest catches of the season. And with an early May time frame, both bedding and schooling activity should be happening.

Points and pockets will be the main areas of focus, and those most obvious will see the highest amount of traffic. But even with the pressure, it’s likely they will produce the better catches.

Everything from topwaters to crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits and bottom-probing lures will play in this slugfest. And whatever lure or technique dominates, at least one angler is sure to eclipse the 100-pound mark.

Sabine River:

One of our more challenging stops is this tidewater system located in East Texas. Although the Sabine and its adjacent rivers and creeks support a decent population of black bass, catching enough with any size is a problem. It rarely takes more than seven pounds a day to cut a check — to win could require as little as 55 pounds.

The key will be finding the most productive areas and hitting them at the right tide. Miss by an hour and you could find yourself at the bottom of the standings.

An array of soft baits are sure to play — everything from frogs to finesse worms. But don’t rule out bladed jigs, swim jigs, spinnerbaits or small crankbaits. It’s highly likely a combination of these will be required to win. 

Lake Tenkiller:

The Elite Series has visited this Oklahoma reservoir only once before, and the fishing was good. Tenkiller supports strong numbers of smallmouth and largemouth, and both could factor into the winning catch,

Among the lake’s many structural features are rocky points and bluffs, shallow flats and creeks. Depending on the water level, shoreline brush could become a prime target, as well as offshore brushpiles. Considering the time of year, it’s a safe bet forward-facing sonar will factor in.

Topwaters, swimbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, soft plastics and various wire-form baits will grace the decks of each pro’s boat. As to which will be more dominant, that will depend on the pro and the conditions. Expect 65-75 pounds to be the winning weight. 

Lake St. Clair:

Lying adjacent to the City of Detroit is one of the most productive smallmouth fisheries on the planet. Yet Lake St. Clair also supports a healthy population of largemouth, and they could factor into the winning catch.

Lake St. Clair is round in shape and relatively shallow. Although thin in most areas, there is an abundance of submerged grass, as well as shoreline docks and piers.

The lake is fed by the St. Clair River, which flows into a sprawling delta in the northeast corner. At is southernmost point, the lake narrows to form the Detroit River, which feeds into Lake Erie. In all, it’s a massive playing field, the majority of which can be very productive.

The smallmouth can be caught on topwaters, swimbaits, jerkbaits, minnow-tipped jigs and an array of bottom-probing soft plastics — including tubes, Ned rigs and drop shots. The largemouth can be caught on frogs, flukes, jigs and a variety of Texas-rigged soft plastics.

Expect a cumulative winning weight of 90 to 100 pounds.

Mississippi River:

Based at La Crosse, Wisconsin, tournament waters for this event include Pools 7, 8 and 9 of the Upper Mississippi. In all its good amount of water. A major concern, however, will be dealing with the locks and barge traffic. They take priority in the locking schedule and could definitely complicate the game plans for many competitors. 

The river is beautiful and lush with healthy fields of aquatic vegetation, so there are plenty of places for the fish to hide. Add to that the river’s innumerable wing dams, docks and laydown trees … there is no shortage of targets. Both largemouth and smallmouth thrive there, and both will factor into the outcome.

Expect topwaters, frogs and buzzbaits to produce, as well as small crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and a wide range of soft plastics. And it will likely take an average daily weight of 15 pounds or more to hoist the blue trophy.

Tour Summary

In all, it’s a great schedule. With so much diversity, each pro should find numerous opportunities to apply his favored techniques. That said, it’s those who are the most consistent and adaptable in their approach that will vie for the Angler-of-the-Year title.