Much like Florida where we see anglers flourish one day and struggle the next, herring lakes like Lake Murray can present a similar challenge. Big tournament winning bass on Lake Murray often become uber focused on herring once they finish their own spawn. Keeping tabs on where the bass shift when pursuing the herring and being open minded and flexible will be key for anglers looking to be fishing on Championship Sunday.
The shad spawn could also be a factor for this Lake Murray event. We could see some late spawning fish caught, but I would expect that to be much less of a factor than the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series event won by Drew Benton. The May 2024 Bassmaster Elite event won by Patrick Walters could be a great blueprint for how this event will go down.
If all goes well, viewers on Bassmaster Live will be spoiled with numerous and vicious open water topwater strikes from big largemouth bass keyed in on herring on Lake Murray.
Just like the 2024 event, anglers will be able to utilize forward-facing sonar to key both on bait and bass.
BUCKET A: MCKINNEY
In 2024, I kept betting against Trey McKinney with my Fantasy picks, not two years removed from his rookie season and a Top 10 on Lake Murray, he has a one point lead over Cory Johnston in AOY as we approach the mid-point of the season. We now all know, McKinney doesn’t really have much for holes in his game and is almost always a good Fantasy pick.
Rookie Pick
Seems like every year, we have a rookie or two that are top tier performers. Caleb Hudson is on track to be one of those rookies from the 2026 class. If you look back to his college career, he has had success on Murray and Clarks Hill, so don’t be shocked for another weekend appearance from Hudson.
BUCKET B: WALTERS
In 2024, Patrick Walters was having a similar season, sitting in Bucket B. In that article preview, I said I was going to stick with him and he won. I am also not wavering in my confidence in Patty Walters and expect him to be a factor in this event. I would bet, that Walters has a few secrets up his sleeve for a big time Herring bite.
On the Mark
There is a lot of gas in Bucket B for Fantasy Fishing picks, but I think Paul Marks is being slept on as a herring lake expert. Marks is very good with his electronics and understands how bass react to herring and knows how to trigger them to bite.
BUCKET C: SOUTH
My Bucket C pick is a bit of a wildcard pick. Pake South doesn’t have much on paper for herring fisheries, but he has shown up big on a couple Bassmaster Opens where he could use scope, and in both instances he was fishing shallower than most of his competitors. We could definitely find out if Murray bass will chew a Coike Full Cast in this event.
Carolina Kid
Shane LeHew has to be excited to head home to a Carolina fishery. LeHew had a solid Lake Murray performance in 2023 and made the cut in 2024. LeHew is no stranger to Herring fisheries and should do well.
BUCKET D: WAGNER
While Emil Wagner was not around for any of the prior Bassmaster Elite Series events, he is widely considered an expert on both Lake Hartwell and Lanier, which are herring lakes. The one caveat is that Harwell and Lanier have plentiful big spotted bass that can contend, on Murray, Wagner will have to lock in on fat largemouth to be fishing the weekend.
Palmetto Pick
JT Thompkins had a solid third place finish on Murray in 2024, the high player percentage may very well be warranted as this home state anger could very well be in the mix again come championship Sunday.
BUCKET E: WILLIAMSON
Elite veteran Jason Williamson is no stranger to herring fisheries in South Carolina. He may not be a lock this week, but he won’t be flummoxed by the herring. Williamson has a Top 10 and a Top 50 in his two Elite tournaments on Murray.
Topwater Game
I am not sure that Randy Howell is a herring master, but the guy loves to throw a topwater about as much as anyone, so I would not be surprised to see Howell locking a big walking plug in his hand and having a solid event.
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
We are well into season four of the Falcon Rods 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.
In 2026 we will have 10 events and 104 anglers. You will need to use up 80 of the 104 anglers. Hopefully you have saved a few favorites for the middle part of the season.
Here is my Lake Murray Drain the Lake roster:
Drew Benton
Caleb Hudson
Cody Huff
Shane LeHew
JT Thompkins
Emil Wagner
Patrick Walters
Jason Williamson
