Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Lake Murray may be throwing curveballs, but the fish don’t seem to mind. On this first day of tournament competition—after high winds canceled day one—anglers are putting in the work.
Fourteen anglers have already reported limits on the Weigh Live Tracker, and over 50 have logged a catch. While many fish fall in the 2- to 3-pound range, a few big bites are making a big difference in the standings.
Bila in the Lead
Brock Bila holds the unofficial lead at midday with over 17 pounds, anchored by a 5-pound kicker. Bila is on Live Coverage targeting schooling bass in a ditch, working deeper water with his electronics.
In second, Oklahoma angler Zack Birge is making moves with over 16 pounds, including a 4-8 kicker. After missing the season’s first event due to scheduling conflicts, Birge is all but locked into Championship contention. A strong finish on Lake Murray could push him even higher in the final standings.
South Carolina’s Dustin Williamson sits in third with around 15 pounds, including a solid 3-pound fish. In fourth and fifth, Joey Bloom and Todd Goade round out the top five with upper 12-pound bags.
Scopin’ and Hopin’
On-the-water photographers report clear skies and frigid conditions, with launch temperatures around 30 degrees and highs expected to reach the upper 40s. While weather changes from practice to competition have impacted shallower patterns, deeper fish remain less affected.
Many of the top anglers are relying on electronics to spot their fish, using a mix of minnow-style baits, drop shots, and jerkbaits to fill their bags.
AOY Race Update
The Progressive Angler of the Year race is shaping up as a two-man battle between Drew Cook and Kyle Welcher. Welcher currently sits in the top 10 with a small limit, while Cook, known for underestimating or not reporting his weights, has fish in the boat but nothing yet on the tracker. With one day left in the 2024 season, it’ll be a tight race to see who can secure the title or if a dark horse can make a big move.
Catch the Weigh-In
The weigh-in begins at 3:00 PM EST on TNPFL.com. Don’t miss it!
The top ten look like this:
Brock Bila 17-8
Zack Birge 16-8
Dustin Williamson 15-0
Joey Bloom 12-14
Todd Goade 12-12
John Soukup 12-9
Trent Palmer 12-9
Hunter Baughman 12-0
Joseph Webster 12-0
Kyle Welcher 12-0
Follow along on the Weigh Live Tracker for real-time unofficial updates from the water.
Check out the Morning Story and Launch Photo Gallery, here!
