American Bass Anglers’ circuits will light up lakes from Massachusetts to Mississippi and Florida to Missouri this weekend, with over two dozen events scheduled for April 12–13. Anglers from the American Fishing Tour (AFT), Couples Series (CPL), Pro League, and Team Series will compete on a wide variety of fisheries, from tidal rivers to deep, clear impoundments. Here’s a look at each tournament location and what competitors can expect.
Professional League Events Saturday – April 12, 2025
Watts Bar Lake, TN – East Division 4 (Register)
Launching from Spring City Marina Resort, Watts Bar Lake offers anglers a diverse fishery with both largemouth and smallmouth bass populations. In early April, bass are typically in various stages of the spawn, with many moving into shallow coves and flats. Effective techniques during this period include targeting rocky primary and secondary points with crankbaits, jerkbaits, and jigs. Additionally, focusing on flats adjacent to deep water can yield success.
Predicted Weather: The forecast for April 12 in Spring City, TN, indicates mostly sunny skies with a high near 61°F and a low around 40°F. Anglers should prepare for cool morning temperatures, gradually warming by afternoon.
Professional League Events Sunday – April 13, 2025
Lay Lake, AL – South Division 2 (Register)
Launching from Beeswax Creek, anglers will face Coosa River spots and largemouth in both shallow grass and offshore current breaks. This lake fishes well in spring, and fast-moving baits along riprap and points could dominate.
Predicted Weather: Sunny and comfortable, with morning temps around 50°F and an afternoon high near 75°F. Light winds out of the south at 5–10 mph.
American Fishing Tour Division Events – April 12, 2025
Hubbard Creek Lake, TX – Division 112
Set near Breckenridge, Texas, Hubbard Creek is a West Texas gem known for its stained water, plentiful cover, and healthy largemouth bass population. Anglers launching from the 180 Ramp will target standing timber, rocky points, and brush piles—classic early spring haunts for pre- and post-spawn fish.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from 60°F in the morning to a high of 85°F by mid-afternoon. Light southeast winds around 5–10 mph.
Stockton Lake, MO – Division 126
Located in the Ozarks, Stockton Lake is a clear-water reservoir with rocky banks and deep structure. The event launching out of Old State Park will test finesse and power fishing alike, with smallmouth and largemouth both in play. Expect jigs and jerkbaits to be key this time of year.
Predicted Weather: Mostly sunny with morning lows near 55°F and afternoon highs reaching 78°F. Winds from the south at 10–15 mph.
Kerr Lake, VA – Division 13
Kerr Lake, also known as Buggs Island, is a sprawling reservoir on the Virginia-North Carolina border. With anglers launching from Rudds Creek Day Use area, the bite should be heating up in the shallows as bass move into spawning coves. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits will likely dominate.
Predicted Weather: Sunny skies with temperatures starting around 58°F and peaking near 80°F. Light southwest winds at 5–10 mph.
Tuckertown Lake, NC – Division 14
Nestled along the Yadkin River, Tuckertown is a shallow, riverine lake with abundant vegetation and shoreline wood. Fishing from Flat Creek, competitors will have to navigate current, muddy water, and heavy cover—perfect conditions for flipping and shallow cranking.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy with morning temperatures near 60°F, rising to 82°F in the afternoon. Winds from the southwest at 10 mph.
Lake Gaston, NC – Division 16
This border reservoir features a mix of docks, points, and brush. With launching at Summit, Division 16 anglers can expect a solid prespawn bite with largemouth feeding aggressively on blueback herring and shad. Topwater could even be in play as water temps rise.
Predicted Weather: Mostly sunny with lows around 57°F and highs reaching 81°F. Gentle southwest winds at 5–10 mph.
Pascagoula River, MS – Division 27
This brackish river system along the Gulf Coast offers a unique challenge, mixing tidal flow, submerged wood, and bayou backwaters. From Indian Point, anglers will hunt for largemouth bass in oxbows and sloughs, possibly finding fish on beds with warming weather.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy with morning temperatures near 65°F and afternoon highs around 85°F. Light southeast winds at 5–10 mph.
Kentucky Lake, TN – Division 40
From the Cuba Landing launch, competitors on Kentucky Lake will explore this legendary reservoir known for ledges, grass, and spawning bays. Spring transition should have fish staging and moving shallow, and lipless crankbaits or soft plastics could be key.
Predicted Weather: Mostly sunny with lows around 58°F and highs near 80°F. South winds at 10–15 mph.
Tensaw River, AL – Division 41
Launching from Cliff’s Landing, anglers will face one of Alabama’s most intricate river systems. The Tensaw Delta is teeming with backwater sloughs and cypress-lined channels—perfect for targeting bass in shallow, tannic water using topwater frogs or creature baits.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy with morning temperatures near 67°F, rising to 88°F in the afternoon. Light southeast winds at 5–10 mph.
Wequaquet Lake, MA – Division 5 (CANCELED)
This event is being canceled/rescheduled. The weather will be much worse than predicted with heavy wind and rain this weekend. When we have a rescheduled date, we will post it.
As one of Cape Cod’s larger freshwater lakes, Wequaquet offers clear water and a rocky structure. Launching at Barnstable, early-season conditions may make for a finesse bite, with jerkbaits and ned rigs producing around drop-offs and submerged boulders.
Big Hill Lake, KS – Division 58
This southeastern Kansas lake is known for its scenic shoreline and healthy bass population. Anglers launching from Mound Valley will find flooded timber and rock banks to explore, with spinnerbaits and soft plastics being effective this time of year.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures starting at 55°F and reaching 77°F by afternoon. South winds at 10 mph.
Table Rock Lake, MO – Division 64
One of Missouri’s crown jewels, Table Rock features clear water, deep structure, and both smallmouth and largemouth opportunities. From Aunts Creek, finesse tactics and suspended jerkbaits will play an important role as fish transition into spawning zones.
Predicted Weather: Mostly sunny with morning lows around 54°F and highs near 79°F. South winds at 10–12 mph.
Lake Blackshear, GA – Division 74
Launching from Gum Creek, anglers on Lake Blackshear will battle stained water and vegetation along this Flint River impoundment. Cypress trees and boat docks hold springtime bass, and topwater or soft plastic presentations near cover will be key.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from 62°F in the morning to 85°F in the afternoon. Light southwest winds at 5–10 mph.
American Fishing Tour Division Events – April 13, 2025
Bankhead Lake, AL – Division 110
Launching from Howton’s Camp, this Warrior River reservoir provides anglers with bluffs, docks, and woody backwaters. A mix of spotted and largemouth bass make for exciting fishing, especially around the many submerged laydowns.
Predicted Weather: Pleasant with plenty of sunshine, high around 73°F, low near 49°F.
Toledo Bend Reservoir, LA – Division 111
One of the most famous bass lakes in the country, Toledo Bend boasts thousands of acres of submerged timber and hydrilla. From the Army Rec Center launch, anglers will be targeting grass lines, creek channels, and shallow flats in search of trophy-sized fish.
Predicted Weather: Sunny with a high near 73°F, low around 50°F.
Lake Norman, NC – Division 14
Launching from McCrary Creek, anglers on Lake Norman will fish for a mix of spotted and largemouth bass in a lake known for its docks and clear water. Shakey heads, swimbaits, and finesse jigs will likely get the nod in this early spring event.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy skies with a high around 60°F, low near 41°F.
Kerr Lake, NC – Division 16
This day’s launch is from the Hibernia ramp, giving access to northern sections of the lake. With rising temperatures, bass may be in full spawn mode along shallow coves and flats, offering ideal flipping and sight-fishing conditions.
Predicted Weather: Warmer with plenty of sun, high near 66°F, low around 36°F.
Harris Chain of Lakes, FL – Division 20
Launching from Herlong Park in Leesburg, the Harris Chain offers shallow vegetation, canals, and backwater areas. This time of year is prime for spawning bass, and flipping grass mats or pitching to beds could yield big bags.
Predicted Weather: Pleasant with plenty of sunshine, high around 77°F, low near 54°F
Lake Seminole, GA – Division 70
From Big Jim’s, anglers will tackle this vegetation-rich lake known for hydrilla, cypress trees, and current flow. With water temps ideal for spawning, bass will likely be shallow, and big worms or swim jigs around cover could be the winning pattern.
Predicted Weather: Nice with plenty of sun, high near 76°F, low around 47°F.
Lake Greenwood, SC – Division 96
Launching from Hwy 72, anglers will fish rocky points, docks, and brush piles. This Piedmont reservoir supports a healthy largemouth population, and the bass should be active on shallow structure and around docks with warming spring weather.
Predicted Weather: Mostly sunny and nice, high around 70°F, low near 44°F.
Couples Series Events – April 12–13, 2025
Lake Murray, SC – Division 11 (April 12)
Launching from Siesta Cove, couples will take on one of South Carolina’s premier fisheries. With blueback herring moving shallow, bass are feeding aggressively, and flukes or walking topwaters near points and docks could produce big results.
Predicted Weather: Partly sunny with a high near 66°F, low around 44°F.
Ft. Gibson Lake, OK – Division 12 (April 12)
Launching from Taylors Ferry North, this lake presents a mix of rocky points, bluff walls, and mid-lake flats. Spring rains can stain the water, making spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and flipping presentations ideal for targeting prespawn fish.
Predicted Weather: Sunny with a high near 72°F, low around 50°F.
Lake Sinclair, GA – Division 2 (April 12)
Known for its abundance of docks and warm water discharge areas, Sinclair is a consistent producer in spring. Launching from Big Ed’s, couples should find active fish on shallow wood, and dock skipping may play a big role in tournament success.
Predicted Weather: Partly sunny with a high near 70°F, low around 42°F.
Lake Guntersville, AL – Division 7 (April 12)
From Waterfront ramp, couples will tackle one of the South’s legendary bass factories. The grass bite will be heating up, with frogs, chatterbaits, and punching all being effective. Big fish are always in play at Guntersville this time of year.
Predicted Weather: Sunny with a high near 75°F, low around 50°F.
Lake Mitchell, AL – Division 1 (April 13)
Launching from Higgins Ferry, this Coosa River lake features strong current, rocky structure, and grass lines. Spots and largemouth mix here, and current-related areas will likely hold feeding fish ready to be caught on jigs or swimbaits.
Predicted Weather: Pleasant with plenty of sunshine, high around 73°F, low near 49°F.
St. Johns River, FL – Division 14 (April 13)
Launching from Astor, this historic Florida river offers oxbows, eelgrass beds, and cypress-lined banks. With spring in full swing, bedding bass and aggressive males guarding fry could make for an exciting shallow bite.
Predicted Weather: Pleasant with plenty of sunshine, high around 78°F, low near 51°F.
Team Series Events – April 12, 2025
Norris Lake, TN – Division 17
Launching from Loyston Point, located at 730 Loyston Point Rd, Andersonville, TN 37705-2210, teams will tackle this deep, clear mountain reservoir. With smallmouth and largemouth in the mix, anglers must decide between finesse presentations offshore or seeking bedding largemouth in the backs of coves.
Predicted Weather: Mostly sunny and cool in the morning at 46°F, warming to 72°F by afternoon. Light variable winds.
Percy Priest Lake, TN – Division 18
Launching from Fate Sanders Marina, this middle Tennessee reservoir is full of rock, brush, and offshore structure. Bass are in prespawn mode and may be found staging on secondary points and channel swings, setting the stage for big limits.
Predicted Weather: Clear skies with early temps around 48°F, warming to a high of 74°F. Calm morning winds increasing slightly in the afternoon.
With all AFT, CPL, and Team events this weekend, you should sign up onsite the morning of the event. The Professional League events have not late fees through Wednesday 5 pm, however you can sign up onsite the evening before the event.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is dedicated to organizing affordable, local tournaments for weekend anglers while offering opportunities for individual angler advancement. To learn more about American Bass Anglers, including the Team Series, American Fishing Tour, American Couples Series, annual Military Team Bass Tournament, ABA Team Series, Top 150 Solo Tour, and Professional League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
American Bass Anglers is proud to be sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Power Pole, WattCycle Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
For more information, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406
