EVANS, Ga. — Using lessons learned from last season, Virginia Beach’s Chase Clarke landed a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds, 14 ounces to take the Day 1 lead at the Bassmaster Open at Clarks Hill Reservoir. The former Auburn University angler anchored his bag with two largemouth over 6 pounds, including a 6-8 bucketmouth that claimed Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors.
“I know I’m not going to catch very many. But when they are that size, I’m doing something right,” Clarke said. “It was just one of those days where every decision I made was the right one. Hopefully that happens again tomorrow.”
Oklahoma’s Blaine Bunney holds second place with 22-7 followed by Tennessee’s Christian Nash in third with 22-5.
Winter has been in full swing this week in northeast Georgia, as a winter storm brought as much as 2 inches of snow to the area Tuesday night. That caused unsafe road conditions, leading to the cancellation of the regularly scheduled Day 1 on Thursday and shortening the event to two days. Anglers were greeted to 25-degree temperatures as they launched Friday morning.
With two full days off, though, the Opens pros showed the true potential of Clarks Hill. Nineteen bags over 18 pounds, including four over 20 pounds, hit the scales Friday and 116 limits were caught by the field of 161 anglers. The 2024 season was Clarke’s first as an Elite Qualifier angler, and one tournament in particular from last year has helped him tremendously this week at Clarks Hill.
“I’m taking what I used at Lake Ouachita (last February) and implementing it here,” he explained. “Even though there aren’t blueback herring in Ouachita, the same thing is working for me.”
Clarke had a solid practice period on Clarks Hill, but as it progressed his daily weights went down. He never imagined a 25-pound bag was possible the way things were going.
“I didn’t think there was any chance. My best day in practice was 18 pounds, but that was the first day. The second day I had 14 and then 12 the last day. I was going downhill throughout practice. But I would pull up and look at some stuff in practice and just leave. I didn’t really know what was there exactly.”
When the tournament finally started on Thursday, Clarke worked his way to a limit by 11 a.m. Shortly after, Clarke made his lone mistake of the day. He landed a 3 ½-pounder that would have helped him, but in the process of culling, he accidentally threw that bass back, costing him a half pound.
“I caught a 2-pounder right after that, which didn’t help,” Clarke said. “I looked up to the clouds wondering, ‘How did I mess this up.’ I looked back down and on my next cast I caught one of the 6-pounders.”
Clarke mixed things up throughout the day, moving back and forth between shallow and deep water. Three baits caught the bulk of his bass — two bottom-contact baits and one bait he suspended in the water column.
Water clarity is a key component to what he is doing.
“I don’t want the clearest water in the lake, but I don’t want it to be super stained either,” Chase explained. “I’m looking for that in-between with 6 or 7 feet of visibility.”
While warmer, the forecast calls for less wind on Saturday, which Clarke thinks might change what his bass are doing.
Bunney, meanwhile, is fishing his first Open. The recent high school graduate is targeting largemouth in deep water using a jighead minnow and forward-facing sonar. He also landed a 4-3 spotted bass.
“Largemouth are what I’m looking for. That is what is going to win,” he said. “I stumbled into something the first day of practice that led me to this.”
While plenty of other competitors are chasing bass feeding on blueback herring, there isn’t much in the way of bait where Bunney is fishing. As the week has progressed, he has noticed the bass sinking lower and lower in the water column.
“You would think the bass would be really (targeting) the bait balls, but they really aren’t. They are kind of just floating in the nothing, the abyss. And they are wanting to push deeper down. When you think they would be 5 feet under the surface, they are 35 feet under the surface in 50 feet of water.”
Hailing from Dale Hollow, Nash got off to a hot start, catching a 4-pounder before filling out his limit in that same pocket. He then caught a 6-pounder out of a brushpile, anchoring his bag for the day.
“I pulled in a pocket this morning and there was someone already there, so I made a slight adjustment and went to another pocket,” he said. “The wind was blowing into a pocket, and I said, ‘Man, that looks good.’”
Nash has utilized forward-facing sonar to catch his bass, which are located between 35 feet of water to 50 feet of water.
“I’m using ¾-ounce and 1-ounce heads. When one sees it, they’ve got it,” he said. “In the mornings, I think the herring get tucked down to the bottom in the creeks. To me, it seemed like the bass just kept going deeper.”
2025 Bassmaster Open at Clarks Hill Reservoir 1/24-1/25
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 25-14 200
Day 1: 5 25-14
2. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 22-07 199
Day 1: 5 22-07
3. Christian Nash Allons, TN 5 22-05 198
Day 1: 5 22-05
4. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 5 20-00 197
Day 1: 5 20-00
5. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 5 19-15 196
Day 1: 5 19-15
6. Robbie Mills Jr Appling, GA 5 19-07 195
Day 1: 5 19-07
7. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 19-06 194
Day 1: 5 19-06
8. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 19-02 193
Day 1: 5 19-02
9. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 19-00 192
Day 1: 5 19-00
10. Hayden Seabolt Dawsonville, GA 5 18-13 191
Day 1: 5 18-13
11. River Lee Diboll, TX 5 18-11 190
Day 1: 5 18-11
12. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 5 18-06 189
Day 1: 5 18-06
13. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 18-03 188
Day 1: 5 18-03
13. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 18-03 188
Day 1: 5 18-03
15. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 18-02 186
Day 1: 5 18-02
16. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 18-01 185
Day 1: 5 18-01
17. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 18-00 184
Day 1: 5 18-00
17. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 18-00 184
Day 1: 5 18-00
17. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 18-00 184
Day 1: 5 18-00
20. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 17-12 181
Day 1: 5 17-12
21. Tyler Malone Chunchula, AL 5 17-10 180
Day 1: 5 17-10
22. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 17-09 179
Day 1: 5 17-09
23. James Chandler Liberty, TX 5 17-07 178
Day 1: 5 17-07
23. Hamp Rowland Appling, GA 5 17-07 178
Day 1: 5 17-07
25. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 17-06 176
Day 1: 5 17-06
26. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 5 17-05 175
Day 1: 5 17-05
27. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 17-04 174
Day 1: 5 17-04
27. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 17-04 174
Day 1: 5 17-04
29. Carter Cunningham Dawsonville, GA 5 17-03 172
Day 1: 5 17-03
30. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 17-02 171
Day 1: 5 17-02
31. Wesley Sandifer Chapin, SC 5 17-01 170
Day 1: 5 17-01
32. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 16-15 169
Day 1: 5 16-15
33. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 16-13 168
Day 1: 5 16-13
33. Jody White Shaftsbury, VT 5 16-13 168
Day 1: 5 16-13
35. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 16-09 166
Day 1: 5 16-09
36. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 16-07 165
Day 1: 5 16-07
37. Elijah Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 16-03 164
Day 1: 5 16-03
38. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 16-00 163
Day 1: 5 16-00
38. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 5 16-00 163
Day 1: 5 16-00
38. Jaden Parrish Liberty, TX 5 16-00 163
Day 1: 5 16-00
41. Reed Rooke Dawsonville, GA 5 15-15 160
Day 1: 5 15-15
42. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 15-14 159
Day 1: 5 15-14
43. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-13 158
Day 1: 5 15-13
44. Donavan Carson Bluff City, TN 5 15-12 157
Day 1: 5 15-12
44. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 15-12 157
Day 1: 5 15-12
44. Dustin Williamson Modoc, SC 5 15-12 157
Day 1: 5 15-12
47. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 15-09 154
Day 1: 5 15-09
48. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 15-08 153
Day 1: 5 15-08
49. Brycen Williamson Aiken, SC 5 15-08 152
Day 1: 5 15-08
50. Jason Burroughs Hodges, SC 5 15-07 151
Day 1: 5 15-07
51. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 15-04 150
Day 1: 5 15-04
52. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 15-01 149
Day 1: 5 15-01
53. William Ross Livingston, TX 5 15-00 148
Day 1: 5 15-00
53. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 15-00 148
Day 1: 5 15-00
55. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 14-15 146
Day 1: 5 14-15
56. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 5 14-14 145
Day 1: 5 14-14
57. Parker Guy Appling, GA 5 14-13 144
Day 1: 5 14-13
58. Emery Burnett Appling, GA 5 14-12 143
Day 1: 5 14-12
59. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 5 14-08 142
Day 1: 5 14-08
60. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 5 14-07 141
Day 1: 5 14-07
61. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 14-06 140
Day 1: 5 14-06
61. Brandon Hightower Edgerton, KS 5 14-06 140
Day 1: 5 14-06
63. Michael Spaulding Jr. Dundee, MI 5 14-04 138
Day 1: 5 14-04
64. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 5 13-15 137
Day 1: 5 13-15
65. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 13-15 136
Day 1: 5 13-15
66. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 13-14 135
Day 1: 5 13-14
67. Alex Prince Blue Ridge, GA 5 13-13 134
Day 1: 5 13-13
67. Collin Smith Honea Path, SC 5 13-13 134
Day 1: 5 13-13
69. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 13-12 132
Day 1: 5 13-12
70. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 13-11 131
Day 1: 5 13-11
70. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 13-11 131
Day 1: 5 13-11
70. Connor Jacob Auburn, AL 5 13-11 131
Day 1: 5 13-11
73. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 5 13-05 128
Day 1: 5 13-05
74. Brandon Kelley Evans, GA 5 13-03 127
Day 1: 5 13-03
75. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 5 13-01 126
Day 1: 5 13-01
76. Jerry Fowler Ellijay, GA 5 12-15 125
Day 1: 5 12-15
77. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 12-14 124
Day 1: 5 12-14
78. Sean Anderson Leesville, SC 5 12-13 123
Day 1: 5 12-13
79. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 12-12 122
Day 1: 5 12-12
80. Matthew Oconnell Brooks, GA 5 12-09 121
Day 1: 5 12-09
81. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 12-08 120
Day 1: 5 12-08
82. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 5 12-07 119
Day 1: 5 12-07
82. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-07 119
Day 1: 5 12-07
84. Ryan Matylewicz Tunkhannock, PA 5 12-04 117
Day 1: 5 12-04
85. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 12-01 116
Day 1: 5 12-01
85. Alec Morrison Peru, NY 5 12-01 116
Day 1: 5 12-01
85. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 5 12-01 116
Day 1: 5 12-01
85. Micheal Stout Gallatin, TN 5 12-01 116
Day 1: 5 12-01
89. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 11-14 112
Day 1: 5 11-14
89. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 11-14 112
Day 1: 5 11-14
91. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 11-11 110
Day 1: 5 11-11
92. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 11-08 109
Day 1: 5 11-08
93. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 11-07 108
Day 1: 5 11-07
94. TJ McKenzie Myrtle Beach, SC 5 11-04 107
Day 1: 5 11-04
95. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 5 11-02 106
Day 1: 5 11-02
96. Hunter Davidson Reform, AL 5 11-01 105
Day 1: 5 11-01
97. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 5 11-00 104
Day 1: 5 11-00
98. John Duvall Madison, GA 5 10-15 103
Day 1: 5 10-15
98. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 5 10-15 103
Day 1: 5 10-15
100. David Miller Stratford, CT 5 10-14 101
Day 1: 5 10-14
101. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 10-11 100
Day 1: 5 10-11
102. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 10-08 99
Day 1: 5 10-08
102. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 10-08 99
Day 1: 5 10-08
104. Cade Law Elmore, AL 5 10-04 97
Day 1: 5 10-04
105. Drew Boggs Lebanon, TN 4 10-01 96
Day 1: 4 10-01
106. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 10-00 95
Day 1: 5 10-00
107. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 4 09-12 94
Day 1: 4 09-12
108. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 09-11 93
Day 1: 5 09-11
108. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 09-11 93
Day 1: 5 09-11
110. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 5 09-09 91
Day 1: 5 09-09
111. Jake Maddux Roswell, GA 5 08-14 90
Day 1: 5 08-14
112. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 4 08-12 89
Day 1: 4 08-12
113. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 08-08 88
Day 1: 5 08-08
114. Nick Toomey Evans, GA 3 08-07 87
Day 1: 3 08-07
115. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 4 08-06 86
Day 1: 4 08-06
116. Eugene Buff Hodges, SC 4 08-05 85
Day 1: 4 08-05
117. Rich Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 5 08-04 84
Day 1: 5 08-04
118. Shannon Abbott Louisville, TN 3 07-15 83
Day 1: 3 07-15
119. Hunter Eubanks Landrum , SC 3 07-13 82
Day 1: 3 07-13
120. Tyler Shawger Zanesville, OH 3 07-12 81
Day 1: 3 07-12
121. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 07-09 80
Day 1: 5 07-09
122. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 07-05 79
Day 1: 5 07-05
123. Josh Gauthier Petawawa CANADA 4 07-03 78
Day 1: 4 07-03
124. Troy Coney Owego, NY 5 07-02 77
Day 1: 5 07-02
125. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 4 06-13 76
Day 1: 4 06-13
126. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 06-10 75
Day 1: 5 06-10
127. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 2 06-05 74
Day 1: 2 06-05
128. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 3 06-02 73
Day 1: 3 06-02
129. Tim Cales Beckley, WV 3 05-10 72
Day 1: 3 05-10
130. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 2 05-05 71
Day 1: 2 05-05
131. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 3 05-04 70
Day 1: 3 05-04
132. Skeeter Crosby Green Pond, SC 3 05-01 69
Day 1: 3 05-01
133. Kristine Fischer Weeping Water, NE 5 05-00 68
Day 1: 5 05-00
134. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 2 04-14 67
Day 1: 2 04-14
135. Chris Lighthizer Zanesville, OH 2 04-11 66
Day 1: 2 04-11
136. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 3 04-10 65
Day 1: 3 04-10
137. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 2 04-07 64
Day 1: 2 04-07
138. Mitch Mitchell Appling, GA 3 04-05 63
Day 1: 3 04-05
139. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 2 04-02 62
Day 1: 2 04-02
140. Lance Owen Greer, SC 2 04-01 61
Day 1: 2 04-01
141. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 2 03-09 60
Day 1: 2 03-09
141. Mike Penney Cameron, NC 2 03-09 60
Day 1: 2 03-09
143. Duke Nave Oxford, PA 1 02-04 58
Day 1: 1 02-04
144. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 1 02-01 57
Day 1: 1 02-01
145. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 1 01-09 56
Day 1: 1 01-09
146. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 1 01-03 55
Day 1: 1 01-03
147. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 1 01-02 54
Day 1: 1 01-02
148. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 1 01-01 53
Day 1: 1 01-01
149. Nicholas Mandes North Stonington, CT 1 00-15 52
Day 1: 1 00-15
150. William Baker Ridgeway, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Ryan Bass Royse city, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Kyle Healey Almonte CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Scott Kerslake Okeechobee, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Phillip Kroll Otego, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. William Kronander Brownsville, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
150. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 116 663 1849-02
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116 663 1849-02