Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Competition begins for the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops tomorrow morning at sunrise. 156 boats comprised of the best 304 college anglers in the country will back down the TVA Dam Ramp on Cherokee Lake at dark-thirty to officially begin the most important tournament of their young lives.

National Championship trophies, a Bassmaster Classic qualification, a chance to win a fully rigged Toyota Tundra + Nitro Boat package for 2026, and college fishing glory is on the line. For these young anglers, the stakes do not get any higher.

Teams from all corners of the country have converged upon picturesque Cherokee Lake, which sits nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains just outside of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This scenic fishery will serve as the playing field this week. Along with beautiful scenery, Cherokee is known to be full of bass, but initial practice reports suggest the fishing has been tough.

We caught up with a few competitors representing different colleges to hear their thoughts and predictions heading before competition kicks off for the 2026 “College Natty”.

Q – What’s your name, school, year in college and your major?

Ben (Stephen F Austin) – “Ben Burns. Stephen F Austin State University. I will be a senior starting in August and I’m pursuing a Business degree.”

Mason (Purdue University) – “My name is Mason Bohland, I graduated from Purdue University with a Design & Construction degree this summer. I actually just started a full-time job as a construction manager in Fishers, Indiana.”

Eli (Wabash Valley College) – “Eli Jaime, I am a Junior at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illinois. I transferred to WVC last year, so I am technically in between majors right now. But I’m looking at the lineman’s program and that’s what I hope to do when I graduate.”

Q – What are two techniques / tactics you think will excel in this tournament, and what weight will it take (per day) to make Saturday’s top 12 cut?

Ben (Stephen F Austin) – “I’m going to say a drop shot and a shakey head. I wish I had something power fishing to report, but that’s not been my experience. I think 12-lbs. per day will be super strong.

Mason (Purdue University) – “Topwater walking bait like a Spook first thing in the morning and then it’ll turn into a jighead minnow FFS deal. I think 13.5-lbs per day would put you into the top 12. Anything over 12-lbs will be extremely tough to do.”

Eli (Wabash Valley College) – “FFS and a minnow will be a key bait for just about every team this week. Then I’d say something to drag on offshore rock. Drop shot, Carolina rig, shakey head… something like that. I’d say 11-12 lbs. per day will have you towards the top. “

 

Q – What do you foresee being the biggest challenge this week?

Ben (Stephen F Austin) – “Catching those key 18” smallmouth. We can only weigh in one 18” or bigger smallmouth per day, so those bites will be at a premium. Catching keeper largemouth will be a challenge, too. It’s not hard to catch 15” smallies, but 15” largemouth have been super hard to come by.”

Mason (Purdue University) – “My biggest concern will be getting bit early and setting the tone for the day. It’s been really tough once the sun gets high, so catching a couple keepers early will be huge to calm us down and keep us focused.”

Eli (Wabash Valley College) – “Spot rotation and decision making, which I guess you could say for every tournament. But with the caliber of anglers and 150 teams competing on Cherokee this week, those factors will be even more important.”

 Q – What has been your favorite thing about your college fishing experience?

Ben (Stephen F Austin) – “Honestly, it’s been traveling around and competing with buddies I have made through fishing. I’ve fished all three years I’ve been in school, and it’s been one of the best parts about my whole college experience.”

Mason (Purdue University) – “No doubt it’s been traveling with teammates. College fishing buddies are some of the best friends I have. We usually travel with three or four teams from our school and it’s so much fun. Something I’ll never forget for sure.”

Eli (Wabash Valley College) – “I’ve really valued the chance to learn from so many other serious anglers and build a network, make friends, etc. I’ve tried to soak up as much info as possible. Being able to try your hand at competing against the best college age anglers in the nation has been so cool. This is only my second-year fishing in college, and it’s been such a great opportunity.”