NEWS

Kicker Bites Will Decide Lake Martin as ABT South Division Heads to Stop No. 3

By Jason Duran

The Alabama Bass Trail South Division returns to Lake Martin on April 11, and if there is one word that continues to surface when talking with anglers this week, it is simple and telling: kicker.

Lake Martin is one of those places where catching fish is not the problem. In fact, it may be one of the easiest lakes on the schedule to get a limit. The challenge, as it often is on this clear water Coosa River fishery, is separating yourself from the field with the kind of bites that actually matter.

“You’re going to catch fish,” said Stihl Smith. “But if you don’t get those key bites, you’re not going to win.”

That contrast between numbers and quality defines this tournament. And this year, it comes with another layer of uncertainty.

A Lake Between Phases

Conditions this week point to a lake that is transitioning out of the spawn and into a post spawn setup, but not in a clean, predictable way.

Smith and teammate Kevin Scott believe the majority of fish have already spawned, leaving anglers to chase scattered post spawn bass that are beginning to reposition and feed. There is also the possibility of a shad spawn playing a role early in the morning, though it remains inconsistent enough that few are willing to rely on it entirely.

What that creates is a tournament without a single dominant pattern. Fish are spread out. Some remain shallow in the backs of creeks and pockets, while others are beginning to move. And while the lake is full of bass, they are not grouped in ways that allow anglers to settle in and fish efficiently.

Run, Gun, and Figure It Out

This is shaping up to be a classic Lake Martin run and gun event.

Smith and Scott expect to fish fast, covering water and making constant decisions throughout the day. The plan is simple in theory but difficult in execution. Make a handful of casts in a productive looking area, then move. “Ten casts here, ten casts there,” Smith said. “Just keep moving all day.”

That approach is not just strategy. It is necessity. While the team is confident they can catch numbers, they also admit they are still searching for something they can rely on. Instead, this tournament is shaping up to be one where adjustments throughout the day will determine success.

Limits are common. Direction is not.

Breaking Down the Lake

Lake Martin offers three distinct personalities, each of which could factor into the outcome.

The upper end of the lake typically carries more color and favors largemouth, especially in the backs of creeks where some fish are still lingering shallow. The mid lake region provides a mix, allowing anglers to fish both cleaner water and slightly stained pockets. It often offers the most flexibility.

Further down the lake, the water becomes clearer and spotted bass become more dominant. While that end can produce, the ultra clear conditions can make fish more difficult to catch consistently.

With fish scattered across all three sections, choosing where to start and when to leave may be the most important decision anglers make all day.

Pressure From Every Direction

Fishing pressure will be a factor, but it may not be the only one. Scott, who has fished Lake Martin for decades, expects boat traffic to play a major role as the day progresses. Wake boats and recreational traffic can reposition fish, disrupt areas, and eliminate opportunities, particularly on the main lake.

That makes the early hours critical.

A strong starting area could provide the foundation for the day, whether through a quick limit or an early kicker. Without that, anglers may find themselves chasing fish that are constantly being affected by changing conditions.

Patterns That May or May Not Hold

Several techniques are expected to play, but none stand out as dominant. Topwater presentations such as buzzbaits, walking baits, and frogs could factor early, especially if a shad spawn develops. A wacky rigged worm around docks is expected to be a major player throughout the day, particularly for anglers looking to upgrade. Jigs remain a consistent option, and a spinnerbait could come into play if bait activity increases. But even with those tools, Smith and Scott admit they have yet to establish something they can rely on.

After the early bite fades, the expectation is to adjust in real time, letting the fish dictate decisions rather than following a set plan. On Lake Martin, that often means covering water, making changes, and figuring it out as the day unfolds. For this team, that uncertainty is not a weakness. It is the reality of the lake right now.

The Weight to Watch

Expectations for this event reflect the nature of the fishery. Smith believes it will take 15 to 16 pounds to win, with 12 to 13 pounds likely needed for a Top 10 finish. Those numbers reinforce the theme. It is not about catching fish. It is about catching the right ones.

Anglers will likely need to cull throughout the day, sorting through numbers in hopes of finding one or two bites that separate them from the field.

Built on Fishing and Fun

For Smith and Scott, this event is also part of a larger journey.

Fishing their first season on the Alabama Bass Trail together, the pair has built a partnership rooted in time on the water and a shared love of the sport. What started as helping with high school anglers eventually turned into a competitive team, blending experience and energy in a way that fits their approach.

“We just enjoy fishing,” Scott said. “That’s what it’s about.”

That balance between competition and enjoyment may serve them well on a lake that demands patience and adaptability.

One Word Says It All

When asked to describe this tournament in a single word, the answer came without hesitation.

Kicker

On a lake full of fish, the difference between a solid day and a winning performance will come down to a handful of bites. Those rare fish that push a limit from average to competitive.

At Lake Martin, everyone will catch them. But not everyone will catch the ones that matter. And this week, they may have to find them without a roadmap.

Event Details

The South Division ABT Tournament Series

Lake Martin Tournament – April 11, 2026

Launch and Weigh In

Wind Creek State Park

4325 AL 128

Alexander City, AL 35010

Launch will be at 6:30 A.M. or safe daylight.

First flight due in at 2:30 P.M.

Anglers and fans can watch all the live coverage and follow all Alabama Bass Trail events by visiting www.alabamabasstrail.org.

The 2026 Alabama Bass Trail Team Series is made possible through partnerships with industry leading brands: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Larry Puckett Chevrolet, 13 Fishing, Rapala, VMC, CRUSHCITY, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Thompson Tractor Company, Pirnah02, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, Alfa Insurance Thomas ALFA MAN Shelton, TH Marine Supplies, Power Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, Yamaha, SCUM FROG, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.