Winter Postpones Start Of Opens Season

Clarks Hill Event Begins Friday

January 23, 2025

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

EVANS, Ga. – A true winter showdown is on tap for anglers fishing the first tournament of the 2025 Bassmaster Opens season at Clarks Hill Reservoir. Weather has already shortened it to a two-day event, as Thursday’s opening round has been postponed due to icy road conditions in the area.

“With temperatures forecast to drop to 17 to 19 degrees, any areas that have thawed but not dried will refreeze overnight, making conditions unsafe,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “Additionally, all local schools are closed for tomorrow, further emphasizing the severity of the situation. While this decision is unfortunate, it is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The tournament will get under way Friday at 7:15 a.m. at Wildwood Park in Appling, Ga., with weigh-in at 3:15 p.m. at the same location. The full field will fish on both days, and the tournament will conclude on Saturday.

Even with the cold temperatures, the potential for big bags is high, and 2024 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off winner Tyler Campbell believes any section of the lake could produce winning bass.

“You typically see some solid weights this time of year,” the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifier said. “There is a potential for 25- to 30-pound bags, and once every couple of years there is a double-digit-class bass caught. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a mega-bag, but low to mid-20s is about the average winning weight this time of year.

“Six of the Top 10 anglers could be doing something completely different from one another,” the Emmanuel University graduate added. “It is a very diverse fishery, and I think it will show out. I’m excited about it.”

The winner, given they are signed up for all four tournaments in Division I of the Opens, will punch their ticket to the 2026 Classic.

Straddling the border between South Carolina and Georgia, the Savannah River impoundment has hosted plenty of Bassmaster events in the past, from the 1973 Classic won by Rayo Breckenridge to several Elite Series events in the early 2000s. Last February, B.A.S.S. returned to Clarks Hill as the College, High School and Junior Series took on the massive reservoir and brought impressive bags of largemouth and spotted bass to the scales.

“You will see some guys run to the very north end,” Campbell said. “The cool thing about Clarks Hill is you can win in any region of the lake. Guys will catch them deep and shallow. It is really weather-dependent. If we get a couple of good, bright, sunny days, you will see the shallow bass turn on.”

This is the first time in a long time Elite Series veteran Jason Williamson, who won the last Elite event that was held on Clarks Hill in May 2010, will be fishing a true winter tournament. December was mild across the region, but as soon as the calendar turned to the new year, Old Man Winter made his appearance.

“It’s been cold. So, the water temperatures are going to be pretty low,” he said.

With this set of ingredients, Williamson anticipates plenty of spotted bass being caught in deeper water. Those bass will likely be chasing blueback herring, a staple baitfish in the Savannah River. Natural rock in deep water and deeper brushpiles will be key elements. Shaky-heads, dropshots and minnow-style baits like a Zoom Winged Fluke will all come into play.

“The spots are going to bite. The herring are going to be out deep,” he said. “The consistency will definitely be with the spotted bass. Guys that are good with their electronics, finding bait and structure, those are the guys who are going to shine. Sun and clouds are going to make a big difference. Cloud cover hanging around early in the mornings will change the game big time.”

While largemouth may be more lethargic this time of the year, Campbell anticipates whoever wins will likely land some of the better largemouth the lake has to offer.