Fantasy Fishing: Heavy dose of blueback herring experts

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Arkansas

After Day 2 of the 2026 Tedy’s Team Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray we will officially be at the halfway point of the of the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season which is crazy because it feels like just yesterday, we were kicking off the season at Lake Guntersville. To this point of the season, we have seen a great deal of variety in the types of fisheries and the styles of fishing and that won’t stop at Lake Murray with a blueback herring beatdown ahead.

Much like the 2024 Elite Series event that Patrick Walters won, there should be a little bit of everything going on at Lake Murray – a blueback herring spawn, fry guarders, late spawners and even some bass lurking the shallows eating bluegill. After a conversation with my good buddy Dalton Dowdy, who is a hammer at Murray, it sounds like we’re all in for a treat.

As for my Fantasy Fishing picks, I tried to just keep it simple and not overthink it. Typically, when the Elite Series visits these Carolina, Blueback Herring fisheries, the anglers that are perceived experts at this style of fishing tend to excel. Also, it’s worth mentioning that forward-facing sonar is allowed in this event, so keep that in mind when making your picks!

Let’s get into some picks.

BUCKET A: HUDSON

Trey McKinney eating up over 56% of player percentage in Bucket A provides quite the opportunity to try to make a sneaky pick and make up points on the rest of the field. Yes, it is a risk considering McKinney is on fire right now, but so is Elite Series rookie and current leader in Pro-Guide Batteries Rookie of the Year Caleb Hudson. It’s evident that things are simply clicking right now for Hudson who is also sitting at 5th in the AOY standings. The Georgia pro is no stranger to these types of fisheries and even has a 4th place finish at Murray in a College event back in 2024.

Solid secondary selection: Despite the massive player percentage, there’s still a big part of me that thinks it is not wise to pick against Trey McKinney right now. Really, I think a lot of players have simply decided that he is their Bucket A pick for the rest of the season and I don’t blame them. It’s a solid strategy.

BUCKET B: WALTERS

Patrick Walters was going to make my Fantasy Fishing roster regardless of the Bucket or player percentage. The South Carolina pros history of success at Murray speaks for itself with a win and a 4th place finish in Elite competition and plenty of other wins including an FLW College National Championship back in 2015.

Solid secondary selection: At just a 3.8% player percentage, Paul Marks is a great pick in Bucket B. It’s no secret that Marks qualifies as a Blueback Herring fishery expert as Lake Lanier is his home lake, plus he notched his first Elite win a year ago at Lake Hartwell.

BUCKET C: LEHEW

I found Bucket C to be one of the more difficult Buckets to choose from, but I’m sticking with a Carolinian in Shane LeHew. The seven-time Classic qualifier has been the model of consistency over the course of his career and should feel right at home at Murray. In two Elite Series events at Murray, LeHew has a 40th place finish and a 14th place finish.

Solid secondary selection: Justin Hamner is an intriguing pick in Bucket C as he had success at Murray back in 2024 and he just so happens to room with Patrick Walters.

BUCKET D: WAGNER

Aside from his third-place finish at Lake Martin earlier this season, Emil Wagner has been in a bit of sophomore slump. However, Lake Murray sets up perfectly for him to bounce back in a big way. The Georgia pro is an expert at fishing for bass that are targeting on blueback herring and should be a factor all the way through the weekend.

Solid secondary selection: If you’re looking to keep your pick with the Surge Squad, consider Tucker Smith. At a much higher player percentage, JT Thompkins is another safe pick as well.

BUCKET E: PARKS

It’s been a very uncharacteristic season to this point for Logan Parks but Lake Murray could be just what he needs to turn his season around. The Alabama pro made the cut in 43rd at Murray back in 2024.

Solid secondary selection: If you’re looking for an under the radar pick in Bucket E, don’t overlook Aaron Jagdfeld at just a 1.5% player percentage. The Michigan pro notched a 3rd place finish at Murray in the College event back in 2024.