YORK, S.C. — When Bass Pro Tour pro Andy Montgomery looks at recent tournament results from Lake Wylie, he just shakes his head – both because of how many new names lead the way and because of how big the weights are at the top of the results.
The South Carolina native attributes a lot of that change to forward-facing sonar. But with the three-hour sonar rule in place for the upcoming Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine North Carolina Division event on Wylie set for March 7, he says old-school tactics may finally shine again.
What to expect
There was a time in the early 2000s when Montgomery was a threat to win every tournament on Wylie. Admittedly, that time has passed, as he doesn’t fish it near as much as he used to then. Plus, the game has changed.
“In all my years of fishing Wylie, I never once went up the river,” Montgomery said. “Now, I hear that’s where a lot of big bags are being caught using sonar. It’s changed everything.”
Needless to say, he figures the three allotted hours with forward-facing sonar will be huge for pros this event, as it should set up as a prime prespawn tournament. And while largemouth should be the main focus, he said the spotted bass population has flourished. There have actually been some 20-pound bags of spots weighed this winter.
But what excites Montgomery most is that outside that sonar window, pros are going to have to go back to the basics.
“I’m talking shallow cranking and a jig,” Montgomery said. “My favorites.”
Finding wind, dirty water or both will be especially key for the power-fishing game, as will docks. Docks are always a player in the Carolinas, especially in the spring.
As for areas of the lake, Montgomery thinks everything will be open.
“That’s the thing about Wylie, is you can win from dam to dam in the spring,” he said. “No one area will dominate, which opens up the field.”
Baits to bring
As stated earlier, old-school cranking and jigging should definitely come into play. That means squarebills and a favorite skipping jig for docks.
Meanwhile, Alabama rigs have become a go-to for those in the forward-facing sonar game. And, of course, jighead minnows should see plenty of action.
What will it take?
Montgomery may not have his finger on the pulse of Wylie like he once did, but he does know one thing for sure.
“Oh, it’ll take more than 20 pounds to win,” he said. “A couple weeks ago, someone weighed in a bag that was nearly 25 pounds, and 22 pounds won last weekend. So, someone will catch over 20 pounds, and they may do it just in those three hours (with forward-facing sonar).”