By Jason Duran
The Alabama Bass Trail South Division will be competing this Saturday on the famous waters of Lake Eufaula for stop number 4 of the season. Conditions are shaping up for an exciting late spring showdown. The lake is expected to yield big bass and thrilling action, thanks to a healthy shad spawn still in progress and a mild weather forecast that could help anglers catch impressive limits. Teams will be competing for a top prize of $10,000, along with additional bonuses and the chance to secure a spot in the ABT Championship. Furthermore, teams are focusing on the Angler of the Year (AOY) race, as this event could significantly affect their standings on the leaderboard.
CJ Knight and Anthony Goggins were the 2024 South Division AOY winners. In 2024, they were the most consistent team in the south division. They finished 8th at Lake Jordan and Lake Martin, 16th at the AL River, and 32nd at Logan Martin. They finished 2nd at Lake Eufaula (using an alternate since CJ had a prior family commitment). They provide a little preview of what anglers could expect this weekend.
This time of year, the shad spawn is a significant event on Lake Eufaula. “Shad spawn and the blue gill beds will be in play this weekend.” With surface temperatures in the low 70s, schools of threadfin shad move shallow at dawn, and hungry post-spawn bass are close behind. The early morning period is crucial, especially for anglers targeting shallow riprap, seawalls, grass edges, and docks where spawning activity is most concentrated. The key baits this weekend will be “buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs and bladed jigs.”
The team believes, “It will take 23-25 pounds to win this event. The key to success will be locating a 6-pound fish, as finding five 5-pound fish can be quite difficult. It is challenging to achieve a total of 30 pounds while fishing a post spawn.” They feel confident about this tournament being won in shallow waters due to the shad spawn. Water clarity will play a significant role in their strategy. “The lake is surrounded by agricultural land, which leads to muddy runoff. There are several creeks that seem to introduce pure muddy water into the lake. When the water becomes stained, the fish tend to become inactive, especially on the lower end of the lake. Typically, when the water gets dirty on the Coosa River, throwing a spinner bait can yield great results. However, when the same situation occurs on Lake Eufaula, the lake fishes really small.”
Spanning over 45,000 acres along the Alabama–Georgia border, Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Reservoir) is one of the most revered bass fisheries in the Southeast. Known for its big bass and tournament legacy, Eufaula features a blend of shallow grass flats, stump fields, deep ledges, and brush piles—giving anglers a wide range of options in spring.
Historically there are a couple key areas that play this time of year:
Cowikee Creek – Always a player in spring events, this area has grass, hardcover, and backwater pockets that can produce early and late in the day. It’s a favorite for shad spawn action.
Highway 431 Riprap and Causeway – A classic shad spawn location where bass push bait against the rocks in low-light conditions. Expect several teams to start here looking for a quick limit before rotating out deeper.
The points race will become even more intense after this event. Currently, there is just one point separating first and second place. With only one regular-season event remaining after this, teams are competing for a position in the South Division standings and hoping to secure a spot in the 2025 ABT Championship. Expect some nail-biting moments at the weigh-in and possibly a few surprises from teams that make the right adjustments.
Launch & Weigh-In is May 17, 2025, at Lakepoint State Park, 104 Lakepoint Drive, Eufaula, AL 36027.All friends and family are welcome to attend this event. Bring lawn chairs and see some of the best bass teams in the country cross the stage. Everyone can watch the live weigh-in and over 4 hours of on-the-water live coverage on the ABT Facebook page, YouTube, and the ABT website.
The 2025 Alabama Bass Trail Sponsors Include: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Landers – McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw – Webb Chevrolet, Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Lew’s, Strike King, Southern Protection Agency, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, American Baitworks, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.
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