It’s time for the spawn and the bass “are about to pop” just in time for the Carolina Bass Challenge South Carolina Division tournament on Lake Wateree this Saturday, said CBC owner/director Brett Collins.

Not only should the catches be outstanding, the number of anglers is expected to surpass last year’s record 118 teams for the Wateree tournament, Collins said.

“Each CBC qualifier has seen a 40 percent to 50 percent increase over last year’s numbers,” he noted.

And while, it might be difficult to exceed the catch in the Carolina Anglers Team Trail Spring Trail on Lake Wateree this year, it could happen with the bass moving to spawn.

“This past spring, first place in the Wateree Spring Trail averaged 24 pounds and our largest bag weighed 27.50 pounds,” said Collins, who also is owner/director for the CATT Series in the two Carolinas. “We had several bass over 8 pounds and also the first bass over 10 pounds that I have ever seen come from lake Wateree. The tournaments featured multiple teams with 20 pounds or better.”

Collins said the bass are starting to move to the bed and “should be rarin’ to go” with this week’s forecast for the high 80s.”

Heavy pollen on the water will make it hard to see the bass, he said.

With water temperatures in the 60s, Collins said the bass will be “shallow as dirt” all over the lake this weekend.

“I think the whole lake will be in a bedding mode. With the cool weather we’ve had until now those bass are about to pop.”

Lake experience will likely play a major role in the outcome Saturday because of heavy fishing pressure, he said.

“Wateree can be tough at times, so look for the guys who have spent many years chasing the bass at Wateree to do well.”

After Lake Wateree there is one tournament left on the CBC-SC schedule – Clarks Hill on May 4.

On the CBC website, Collins noted that entries are being accepted for both the CBC-SC and CBC-NC championships, plus the 2013 CBC Classic at Lake Murray Oct. 26-27.

“Please keep in mind in order for a SC CBC team (2) to qualify for the SC Divisional Championship on Lake Hartwell the team (both partners) must fish 3 SC qualifiers together. You cannot qualify for the Championship by fishing a combination of 3 qualifiers in both Divisions. If one partner has entered 3 SC qualifiers, that partner will be allowed to enter the Championship solo.

“The Lake Murray Classic field will consist of the teams who entered the SC & NC Championships. In order to enter the 2013 CBC Lake Murray Classic a team must enter a Divisional championship.”

Carolinas Bass Challenge – South Carolina Division

Sat, Apr 13, 2013

Lake Wateree

Call Brett Collins at 803-413-7521

http://carolinasbasschallenge.com