DEMOPOLIS, Ala. – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Bama Division will visit Lake Demopolis on May 3 for the third straight season. This riverine fishery on the Black Warrior and Tombigbee systems features main river fishing, plenty of backwaters, and the chance to catch largemouth and spotted bass. Both species could be a factor in this event.
This year, BFL anglers benefit from an expanded slate of Regionals, which minimizes travel costs and provides more opportunities to qualify for the $120,000 BFL All-American while fishing familiar, closer-to-home waters. Click here to find out more.
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What to expect
Dusty Robinson won the BFL on Demopolis in May of 2024, and he’ll be in the field again come May 3. He’s expecting similar fishing to last year, with more of the playing field accessible and higher water levels than a year ago.
“You had a mixture of some postspawn fish and some still pulling up in that tournament last year, then at the same time, you had a shad spawn occurring in some areas,” he said. “I think it will be relatively similar this year, with a lot of possibilities.”
Robinson says that this spring has featured plenty of rain, but conditions are settling in just in time throughout the region.
“It’s been muddy with high water,” he said. “This fishery is typical river fishing with many backwaters; the higher water has helped those areas. With the water as high as it’s been, a lot of those fish that were inaccessible most times are going to shine like new money in this one.”
Largemouth are likely to win this event, but Robinson says that spots could play.
“There could be some spots bedding, and it’s possible to get a good bag of spots up the Black Warrior,” he said. “Some ledges and rock eddies up there can come on big. Somebody could stumble across a good bag of spots doing that.”
Baits to bring
Banking on a shad spawn bite, Robinson says anglers should be ready for some fast action in the morning.
“You’re going to have to have either fish a swim jig or spook,” he said. “There should also be some bass spawning, and you’ll have to have some kind of creature bait to pitch to the beds.”
What will it take?
Last year, Robinson took home the trophy with just 13 pounds, 11 ounces, but he says that was an anomaly.
“The water was significantly low last year when they were working on the lock, so all of the backwaters weren’t accessible,” he said. “This year, the water’s back to normal, and guys can get to those places that produce the bigger bags. It should take 16 or even 17 pounds to win this time.”
Check range the past two years has been between 8 and 10 pounds.
Fishing 4 FREE!
Every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division will receive an Abu Garcia gift pack valued at $230 for boaters and $180 for co-anglers – a value that exceeds the entry fee. It’s like Fishing 4 FREE! Plus, participants will receive a code for 25% off an order at AbuGarcia.com. Anglers will receive their gift box at the event.