Story by Ken Duke | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
I see you shiver, with antici … pation.
If you came here on Thursday to check out the live leaderboard from the Strike King NPFL Stop One at Santee Cooper Lakes, you’re a little early, but it’s not your fault. Blame high winds and dangerous boating conditions that caused the cancelation of today’s fishing.
But don’t worry. We’ll be underway tomorrow, and the tournament is still scheduled to run for three days. We’ll wrap it up and crown a champion on Sunday.
And since there’s no fishing today, and since yesterday was an “off” day for our 118 pros, you might be wondering what’s happening, how do they occupy their time, and what should you be looking for when things finally get rolling?
Well, yesterday was not exactly an “off” day in the traditional sense. It was Community Outreach Day on the NPFL schedule where the pros have the opportunity to give something back to the community that is hosting us this week at Santee Cooper — the Clarendon County Tourism office.
There were outreach efforts at the Southern Senior Living facilities, at A Second Chance Animal Shelter, and a meet and greet with high school fishing teams at the John C. Land Boat Ramp. These activities are replicated at every NPFL stop where the schedule permits and where the local host identifies such needs.
The NPFL is about more than just fishing. Fishing may be the thing that brings us together, but it’s not the only thing.
When we do start fishing tomorrow there will be over 100 talented anglers to track on the live leaderboard. Any one of them is capable of winning, but here are 11 to keep your eyes on. Call them “anglers of interest” or “pre-tournament favorites.” Based on their familiarity with the fishery or past performances at Santee Cooper they certainly deserve a serious look.
Here they are, alphabetically:
Corey Casey is a Santee Cooper guide and second year NPFL pro from Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He’s been fishing the lakes for half of his 34 years and hopes for a strong start to his season.
Drew Cook of Cairo, Georgia was last year’s runner-up in the Progressive Angler of the Year race and won a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament here in March of 2022.
John Cox of Debary, Florida is a shallow water savant who finished 9th when the NPFL was last here in 2023. If this tournament is to be won by fishing shallow, he’ll be a factor.
Todd Goade of White Pine, Tennessee was the NPFL’s Angler of the Year in 2023 and finished second here that year. It remains the best finish of his NPFL career, and he’s ready to notch a win.
Will Harkins of Blairsville, Georgia is one of the youngest anglers in the field. He finished third here in 2023 and won last year’s season opener on Logan Martin Lake in Alabama. Can he do it again?
Caleb Kuphall is no local. He’s from Mukwonago, Wisconsin and is making his NPFL debut, but he finished second in the Elite tournament here in 2022.
Matt Massey of St. Augustine, Florida may be the best big bass angler in the field, and lunkers will be a big factor this week. Massey was eighth here in 2023.
Timmy Reams is a young standout from Morgantown, West Virginia who’s been with the NPFL since the very beginning. He was fourth here in 2023 and ready to notch his first League victory.
Darrel Robertson of Jay, Oklahoma is a true veteran in the field with a Forrest Wood Cup title on his résumé. He was sixth here in 2023.
Patrick Walters of Eutawville, South Carolina knows these waters as well as anyone and took home the big trophy when the NPFL stopped here in 2023. This derby will not be over until he weighs in on Sunday.
Jesse Wise of Erwin, North Carolina not only placed seventh here in 2023, but he also holds the league’s top mark for big bass with a 10-pound, 9-ounce lunker from Lake Amistad in the 2024 NPFL Championship. That record could fall this week.
It all starts tomorrow. Join us here for the launch parade LIVE at 6:30 AM EST.
