By Jason Duran
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the Alabama Bass Trail North Division will conclude its season at Pickwick
Lake in Florence, Alabama. Anglers will launch from McFarland Park at safe light and compete for a first-
place prize of $15,000, as well as the prestigious Angler of the Year title. This event promises intense
competition, as the final standings for the season will be determined.
Pickwick Lake, which spans Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, is a 43,100-acre reservoir known for its
diverse bass species, including largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. The lake’s structure features
ledges, mussel bars, and deep-water points, making it an ideal location for summer bass fishing. With
water temperatures in the low 80s, the bass have moved from shallow spawning areas to deeper ledges,
typically in waters ranging from 17 to 25 feet deep. Anglers often target these areas using deep-diving
crankbaits, such as the Strike 10XD, Carolina rigs, Hair Jigs, and swim baits. Any bait that resembles shad
will be effective this weekend. The presence of current, especially when the TVA generates power, helps
concentrate baitfish and bass around these structures.
Father-son duo Fisher and Ryan Anaya have been standout participants this season. Fisher is emerging
as the one to watch in the fishing community, having achieved significant success, including a victory at
the MLF Toyota Series event at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes, where he caught 24 pounds and 8 ounces on the
final day to secure the win. Together, the Anayas also clinched first place at the Alabama Bass Trail event
on Lake Guntersville in 2024 with an impressive 26.34-pound bag. Their consistent performances have
kept them in contention for the Angler of the Year title.
Fisher has been working hard to prepare for this event. He shared an important tip this weekend: teams
need to be ready to “locate as many schools as they can in practice. Ninety percent of the fish are
already out deep on the ledges, and the current has been really strong over the past week, which will be
beneficial for fishing.” The key factor is boat number. “If you have a good boat draw, you have the
chance to get to your spot first, and then you’ll just have to outfish the other teams when they arrive.
You will either watch someone else catch fish, or they will watch you catch them. If the school is large
enough and you have an early boat number, you might be able to stay with that school all day. However,
if you have a low boat number, teams should be prepared to locate multiple schools because they may
need to share or find new areas when someone else is already on that spot.” They are boat number 17
this week and are excited about the opportunity to fish on their own terms. “There will be anglers who
struggle to catch a limit this weekend, while others may catch over 100 fish. That’s just how TVA Lake
is,” he remarked. They believe that around 30 pounds will be needed to win this event, while
approximately 18 pounds might be enough to earn a check.
The Anays offered advice for teams visiting Pickwick for the first time: “Just because it is a Tennessee
River lake, don’t expect to arrive and easily succeed; it’s not as simple as many believe.” Ryan
emphasized, “It may look straightforward on paper, but once you get there, you can easily encounter
unexpected challenges.” He pointed out that navigating the area can be difficult due to its size. Their
recommendation is to “focus on a specific section of the lake, identify key features, and search for clues
in that area. This approach will make it easier to understand the surroundings.”
The forecast for Saturday predicts a high of 84°F and a low of 72°F. Expect humid conditions with a mix
of sun and clouds, along with the possibility of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Anglers should be
prepared for changing weather that may impact fishing patterns. Additionally, rain is expected later in
the week, which could lead the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to release more water through the
system. This may also benefit teams looking to take advantage of the current.
The Pickwick Lake event serves as the season finale for the North Division. With the Angler of the Year
title at stake, competitors must perform at their best to secure the championship. The top team will be
crowned based on the cumulative points accumulated throughout the season’s events. The anglers in
the Top 10 have proven themselves over the years and are all aiming to finish in the top 12 to qualify for
the BASS Team Championship. Fisher and Ryan have specifically set this goal for themselves, as it
represents one of the pathways to the Classic. Ryan is particularly eager for Fisher to have that
opportunity. Fisher stated, “We really want to go to Hartwell for the Team Championship.” The top 10
teams are listed below. Additionally, the top 75 teams in points from each division (North and South), as
well as the winners of the 10 regular season events, will automatically qualify for the ABT Team
Championship. Furthermore, the top 5 high school student teams, the top 5 college teams, and the top
5 couples teams overall will also advance automatically to the ABT Team Championship, which will take
place at Wheeler Lake on October 17 and 18, 2025.
As the Alabama Bass Trail North Division season concludes at Pickwick Lake, all eyes will be on the
anglers vying for the championship. With challenging conditions and high stakes, the event promises to
be a thrilling conclusion to the season. Spectators and participants alike can look forward to an exciting
day on the water.
Launch & Weigh-In is McFarland Park 200 James M. Spain Drive, Florence, AL 35630. 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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