2024 Tournament Schedule
Registration opens for the Trail on November 25, 2023 and closes on December 29, 2023 at Midnight.
The Striped Bass Challenge is set to kick off 2024 with our Winter Classic tournament on January 5-6 at the scenic Lake Hartwell, South Carolina. As winter starts to wane, participants can then look forward to the Murray Flurry on February 2-3, taking place at beautiful Lake Murray, SC. As we welcome the refreshing breeze of spring, the Spring Fling is slated for March 1-2 at Clarks Hill, SC. Shortly after, we’ll be hosting the Battle at the Border on April 5-6, a thrilling competition set against the backdrop of West Point Lake, GA. Lastly, the top contenders will gather for the Cherokee Chase on May 3-4 at for some East Tennessee action at Lake Cherokee, TN.
Winter Classic
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.
Murray Flurry
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.
Spring Fling
CLARKS HILL, 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: Clarks Hill Lake, spanning the Georgia-South Carolina state line, is one of the East Coast’s largest reservoirs and a striped bass angler’s dream. The lake’s diverse environment, with its myriad of coves, deep channels, and submerged structures, provides an ideal habitat for stripers. While spring is an excellent time due to the spawning migration, summer nights also offer exhilarating fishing moments as stripers hunt in shallower waters. Anglers often employ live bait techniques and deep diving lures to entice these powerful fish.
Battle at the Border
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.
Cherokee Chase
CHEROKEE LAKE, TN
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.
