Youth anglers from across the country will get to experience one of the most underrated fisheries in the Southeast this summer. Clarks Hill Lake will host both the Bassmaster Junior National Championship and the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship, during a unique time of year according to St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pro Tanner Hadden.
“It should be really good,” the Appling, Ga., native said. “This time of year, you’ll see some really big bags. It is the perfect week for them to show up too.”
The week begins with the Bassmaster Junior National Championship scheduled for July 25 and 26 before the high schoolers take center stage July 31-Aug. 2. Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins for both events will take place at Wildwood Park.
The final lake on the Savannah River Chain, Clarks Hill has hosted several Bassmaster events in the last couple of years, including a regular-season Strike King Bassmaster College Series event presented by Bass Pro Shops and the 2025 season-opener for the Bassmaster Opens. The weights for both of those winter events were impressive as multiple 20-pound bags crossed the stage.
Hadden, a 2024 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s qualifier, expects more of the same in these events. While plenty of spotted bass will be caught, the key to winning either event will be finding quality largemouth.
“You’ll need all largemouth in a three-bass tournament,” Hadden said. “In a five-bass tournament, spotted bass will play a little bit more. We have a bunch of 3- and 4-pounders in the lake right now, and this time of year a 5- or 6-pounder is a giant.”
Throughout most of the summer months, Hadden said many of the largemouth and spotted bass in Clarks Hill relate to the bottom. But, when the end of July rolls around, those bass begin to suspend and chase blueback herring with regularity on the lower end of the lake. A good topwater bite should develop, and forward-facing sonar will be key when the bass aren’t schooling on the surface.
“A lot of the fish will start suspending,” Hadden said. “They’ll bite topwaters and Flukes for sure. The lower section is definitely where it will be won. As soon as the days start to shorten up, the bass will float up and start hovering around cane and brush and suspend. It won’t be a one-spot deal. You’ll have to fish around.”
The shallow bite should be good up the river as well. Those largemouth tend to feed on bluegill, making frogs and buzzbaits popular choices.
Visit Columbia County is hosting the events.
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
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