Looking ahead to Lake Murray, I am expecting a wide open and high scoring event. There should be a shad spawn, herring spawn and still some bass up on beds. This should really open up Murray to let anglers thrive using multiple patterns, areas and techniques.
I think we are far enough into spring that sight fishing alone will not carry any single angler to victory, but it could add a key fish or two each day or allow an angler to have a big single day that they can use to anchor their performance.
Similarly, I don’t think a shad spawn alone can win this event, but will likely be a player for several anglers that make it to the final Sunday cut. I do think there is potential for an angler to win on the power of the herring spawn alone, but it is more likely that the winner will be the one that manages all three the best.
BUCKET A: COBB
I think I took enough chances in the other buckets to feel good about going chalk in Bucket A. Brandon Cobb is deadly in his home state on a multitude of fisheries and both of his Elite Series wins have come April into May centered around both bass and bait spawns. I like Captain Cobb to potentially hoist his third blue trophy at the Murray event.
He is back!
After a down 2022 season, Kyle Welcher is back in the top bucket after a pair of top 15 finishes to kick off 2023. On top of that, Welcher proved he can be a contender on a herring lake in last year’s Hartwell Bassmaster Classic. Welcher very well could be an every week Bucket A pick for the rest of the southern swing.
BUCKET B: CANTERBURY
Scott Canterbury has some familiarity and historical summer success on Murray. On top of that, Canterbury is overall very strong in March and April in the southeast. Coming off a third-place finish at the Classic, I look for Canterbury to keep things rolling into the South Carolina swing. Swim jigs and buzzbaits are likely to be his key weapons.
Sooners in the Palmetto state
There is a strong pattern of Okies with strong results in South Carolina waters and Luke Palmer has had his share of success on Hartwell. Palmer is an uber consistent performer just about everywhere the Elites go and this should be no different.
BUCKET C: SMITH
Bryant Smith only has nine events fished with Bassmaster but he has cashed six checks, and his best finish was a second-place on Lake Hartwell. Smith has shown success several times and that is a South Carolina herring lake, so I am looking for Smith to be my sneaky Bucket C pick to give my fantasy team a much needed boost.
Crews control
John Crews has had some success from a decade or two ago on Murray and he is from the region, and as a veteran he should understand how to balance all bait spawns. I expect Crews to catch some good fish swimming a jig with some of his own designed soft plastic trailers.
BUCKET D: ATKINS
Justin Atkins has a major win on Murray, but that was a summertime event. Atkin’s win proves he understands how to capitalize on Herring feeders and maybe revisiting these familiar waters will give him the spark he needs to get things rolling this season.
Swimbait play
With all the bait spawns and bass being generally shallow coming to and from spawning grounds, this event does set up for bigger swimbaits to play. So, if you’re feeling the high risk/high reward vibe, take a chance with Chris Zaldain this week as he is certainly going to be testing the big bait bite.
BUCKET E: SOUKUP
Okies seem to thrive in South Carolina and John Soukup is too strong of an angler to not capitalize on all the options that Murray should present. As we approach more fish moving to post spawn, Soukup should be able to utilize more and more of his tool box and strengths. Look for an Elite Series breakout event from The Hookup at Murray!
Old school
Todd Auten has had plenty of success on Lake Murray over his career, and the wide open nature of April in South Carolina should fit Auten’s strengths. I am expecting a solid event from the South Carolina veteran.
Mercury Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
Now onto the fourth event of season three of the Mercury Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge. This additional fantasy fishing game not only offers a fresh way to play the game, but a completely separate prize pool. Drain the Lake is an elimination or survivor style game where you can only use an angler once all season.
As we hit the meat of the schedule, you will start to feel the crunch as you have probably used up some of your favorite anglers.
Here is my Mercury Marine Bassmaster Classic Drain the Lake roster:
• Brandon Cobb
• John Soukop
• Todd Auten
• Jason Williamson
• Matt Arey
• Hank Cherry
• David Williams
• Cody Huff
