Recap Story

By Jason Duran

The Alabama Bass Trail South Division wrapped its 2025 regular season in thrilling fashion at Lay Lake, where 225 teams launched from Beeswax Landing. For many, it was a chance at a season-defining tournament win. For others, it was about locking in a coveted ABT Championship berth or securing a spot in the prestigious Bassmaster Team Championship. And for a select few, the Angler of the Year title hung in the balance. With high stakes and a finicky early-summer bite in play, Lay Lake tested every team’s decision-making, timing, and adaptability.

1st Place – Chad & Chase Schroeder (21.32 lbs, 6.93-lb Big Bass)

Chad and Chase Schroeder thrived under pressure, weighing in a 21.32-pound limit anchored by a 6.93-pound kicker largemouth. Their game plan combined power and finesse, shallow and deep, and ultimately earned them the $15,000 top prize — plus a $500 Big Bass bonus.

“There are big spotted bass and big largemouth in Lay,” said Chad. “We started off in the grass early in the morning — Chase caught our biggest fish around 7:30 on a popping frog.” That fish, a 6.93-pounder, came during a textbook mayfly hatch where brim were feeding aggressively — a situation that mimicked a shad spawn and triggered the big bite.

Later in the day, they pivoted away from shallow water and made a calculated move to the opposite end of the lake. There, Chad connected with another quality fish — also over six pounds — this time on a spinning rod with a Crush City Freeloader. “That bait has been big on the trail all year,” he noted, highlighting how well it has performed in pressured water conditions.

The win not only etched their name into the ABT books but showcased the importance of versatility and trust in changing conditions.

2nd Place – Zeke Gossett & Ethan King (20.88 lbs)

Zeke Gossett and Ethan King entered the finale leading the South Division AOY race — and proved why. While they didn’t take home the win, their 20.88-pound limit (anchored by a 6.20-pound kicker) earned them second place and clinched the 2025 South Division Angler of the Year title.

Their strategy reflected both confidence and adaptability. “Sometimes when you’re fishing your home lake, it can work against you,” they shared. “We had a really good practice, but we were careful not to get too locked in.”

They targeted four or five areas each morning during practice, shaking fish off and letting them rest. “We found some good bites and just hoped they’d still be there.” Despite pressure to play it safe with AOY on the line, they made the bold choice to chase a big bite right out of the gate.

“We caught one over six pounds on a frog, in about a foot of water, off a brim bed,” said Zeke. “That one really took the pressure off.” With their goal being a 15-pound bag, they felt they could fish free after that. Another key fish came shallow, and then they transitioned to deeper water, scoping fish with a finesse minnow to round out their limit.

Their risk paid off with a $7,500 payday and one of the ABT’s most coveted titles.

3rd Place – Zack & Kristin Harrison (19.65 lbs)

Longtime ABT competitors Zack and Kristin Harrison delivered a gritty, kicker-less 19.65-pound performance to lock up third place. Their bag didn’t have a true giant, but it did have something just as important: consistency and momentum.

“We weren’t feeling overly confident coming into today,” Kristin admitted. “Lay’s been tough on us in the past.” But their tune changed fast. “We made our first stop close to blast-off, and a few casts in, Zack caught a 4-pounder on a frog,” she said.

That fish sparked their day. From there, they rotated through similar areas and kept upgrading — catching around 12 fish total. It was a day built on execution and confidence-building decisions.

This season was also a special one for the Harrisons off the water. Their 12-year-old son Huck made his ABT debut, teaming up with Zack’s brother Josh. “He turned 12 right at the cutoff,” said Kristin, “and already cashed a check at Eufaula. He’s the kind of kid that can catch a fish in a mud puddle.”

The third-place finish also pushed the Harrisons into the top 9 in AOY points, qualifying them for the Bassmaster Team Championship. “This has been a goal for Zack,” Kristin said. “We’re proud to be going.”

They earned $6,000 and will advance to the ABT Championship.

Angler of the Year – Zeke Gossett & Ethan King

With 1,087 points across five events, Gossett and King were picture-perfect examples of consistency and composure — never finishing out of the top tier. While their Lay Lake performance capped it, their season-long approach was the true backbone of their AOY title.

“When the schedule came out this year, we knew how we would catch them at each place,” they said. “And it ended up playing out exactly like we expected.”

The most pivotal event came at Lake Eufaula. “We planned to run brush all day, but when our early schools didn’t show up, we made a stop in an area we assumed would be crowded — and no one was there. That shift allowed us to get on a school and put together a strong bag.”

Their performance also earned them the overall ABT AOY title, having scored more points than the North Division leaders. “When you travel around and people see that ABT sticker, they know it’s one of the toughest trails out there,” Zeke said. “It means a lot to come out on top.”

Top 9 South Division Teams Advancing to the Bassmaster Team Championship

The following teams officially qualified for the 2025 Bassmaster Team Championship based on South Division AOY standings:

These nine teams will join the top nine from the North Division at the Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Hartwell, where they’ll compete for a chance to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.

Next Up: The 2025 ABT Championship on Wheeler Lake

The 2025 Alabama Bass Trail season concludes with the ABT Championship, October 17–18 on Wheeler Lake. This no-entry-fee tournament features the Top 75 teams from both divisions, plus each regular-season winner and the highest-ranked student, collegiate, and couples teams.

View the full ABT Championship qualifying teams here:

Championship Qualifiers Standings - Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series

With $100,250 in total prizes and $50,000 guaranteed to the winning team, it promises to be a dramatic and rewarding season finale.

View the full Lay Lake results here:

www.alabamabasstrail.org/lay-lake/results

Listen to the ABT Podcast New episodes drop every Tuesday. Search “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast” on your favorite platform.

2025 Alabama Bass Trail Sponsors

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, Alabama Mountain Lakes.