2024-2025 Tournament Schedule
Registration opens for the Trail on November 1, 2024.
- December 6-7 – Lake Murray, SC (First points qualifier tournament /Open)
- January 10-11 – Lake Hartwell, SC (Second points qualifier tournament/Open)
- February 7-8 – Santee, SC (Third points qualifier tournament /Open)
- March 7-8 – West Point Lake, GA (Fourth points qualifier tournament /Open)
- April 4-5 – Lanier, GA (Fifth points qualifier tournament /Open)
- December 5-6 Championship/Points Tournament – TBA
Lake Murray
South Carolina
Entry: $250 Entry + Side Pot $50 Big Fish
Payout: Guaranteed for Trophy Series 1st place winner. Payouts for 2nd through 10th places are based on the total number of entries.
About: Lake Murray, a jewel of South Carolina, is renowned for its striped bass fishing opportunities. This expansive reservoir boasts clear waters and a diverse range of habitats, from deep channels to shallow flats. Spring and fall see the stripers move to shallower waters, providing thrilling topwater action. Trolling live bait and employing downriggers can yield significant results, especially in the deeper sections during the summer. The lake’s reputation as a striped bass haven is further solidified by numerous fishing tournaments held throughout the year.
Lake Hartwell
South Carolina
Entry: $250 Entry + Side Pot $50 Big Fish
Payout: Guaranteed for Trophy Series 1st place winner. Payouts for 2nd through 10th places are based on the total number of entries.
About: Nestled between the borders of Georgia and South Carolina, Lake Hartwell is a popular destination for striped bass anglers. With over 56,000 acres of water, it provides a vast playground for fishing enthusiasts. Striped bass in Lake Hartwell tend to thrive in the deep, cool waters, especially during the hot summer months. Springtime is a favorite for many, as stripers move up the rivers to spawn, making them easier to target. Whether trolling with live bait or casting topwater plugs during the early morning, anglers find Lake Hartwell to be a consistent producer of quality stripers.
Santee
South Carolina
Entry: $250 Entry + Side Pot $50 Big Fish
Payout: Guaranteed for Trophy Series 1st place winner. Payouts for 2nd through 10th places are based on the total number of entries.
About: Santee Lake, also known as Lake Marion, is a major reservoir in South Carolina. Created in the early 1940s as part of the Santee Cooper Project, which also formed Lake Moultrie, it is the largest lake in South Carolina and serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power, irrigation, and recreational activities. Striped bass fishing is a prominent feature at Santee Lake. The lake is well-known for its striped bass population, which has been managed and stocked since the species’ decline in natural numbers.
West Point Lake
Georgia
Entry: $250 Entry + Side Pot $50 Big Fish
Payout: Guaranteed for Trophy Series 1st place winner. Payouts for 2nd through 10th places are based on the total number of entries.
About: Located on the Chattahoochee River in Georgia, West Point Lake is a hotspot for striped bass enthusiasts. Its 26,000 acres of fishing territory are punctuated by a combination of deep waters and fertile shallows, perfect for stripers. While spring sees an uptick in action near the river mouths and creeks, summer nights are also productive as stripers venture into the shallows to feed. Regular stockings by local fisheries ensure a healthy population, and anglers often use live bait or deep-diving artificial lures to secure their catch.
Lake Lanier
Georgia
Entry: $250 Entry + Side Pot $50 Big Fish
Payout: Guaranteed for Trophy Series 1st place winner. Payouts for 2nd through 10th places are based on the total number of entries.
About: Lake Lanier, located in northern Georgia, is a large reservoir that spans several counties including Hall, Forsyth, and Dawson. It was created in the 1950s by damming the Chattahoochee River and is named after the poet Sidney Lanier. The lake has a robust population of striped bass, which were introduced to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. These fish are known for their size and the challenge they present to anglers.