LEXINGTON, N.C. — North Carolina’s High Rock Lake has a long tournament-fishing history, hosting bass derbies of all levels from weeknighters up to the Bassmaster Classic. It’s a legendary fishery and popular venue, playing host to more than one Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine division in 2024, including the June 8 stop for the Piedmont Division. The third of five stops for the circuit, the event should come at a great time, with fish shallow, deep and everywhere in between.
Tournament details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Piedmont Division
Lexington, NC
June 8
About the fishery
Created in 1927 with the completion of High Rock Dam on the Yadkin River, High Rock Lake is the second-largest reservoir in North Carolina behind only Lake Norman. It boasts 350 miles of shoreline and fishes even bigger than it seems, according to Tackle Warehouse Invitationals pro Derik Hudson, who has two Top-10 finishes on the lake in Phoenix Bass Fishing League competition.
“It’s very similar to a river-style, lowland reservoir with big creek arms,” he said. “The main river channel can also be a player, or it could be won in one of the creeks. It has a lot of productive water to cover, even though it doesn’t look like it on a map.”
With a surface area spanning more than 15,000 acres, Hudson said High Rock features plenty of fish-holding structure.
“It’s one of those lakes where manmade cover is the main focus,” he said. “There are a good amount of docks, rocks and plenty of brushpiles that fish gravitate to. You can make a pattern from whatever type of cover you like to fish.”
What to expect
Hudson said that water conditions — clarity and level — will be the two most significant factors in this event. Things can change quickly on High Rock, as the lake is easily impacted by rain flowing into the Yadkin River, and he advises anglers to keep close tabs on the conditions leading up to the event.
“A good, hard rain can quickly affect the lake and muddy it, but it can also clean up just as fast. You have to take it day by day here,” he said. “When the water comes up, it’s good to find clean water, but stained water can also put them up on the bank and under docks and shoreline cover.”
In addition to water color, the lake level is another important variable.
“When the water gets too high, you can’t get under some of the low-water bridges, and it cuts off some of the major creeks,” he said. “If that happens, it will tighten the field together. But, if the water drops slightly, the offshore bite will be a bigger player. That’s when I look for brush, deeper docks and stuff a little off the beaten path.”
While Hudson says to keep an eye on the conditions, he thinks power fishing could be the path to victory.
“If you look at all of the past BFL tournaments, it usually takes 15 pounds to crack the Top 10, which is a pretty good caliber of fish,” he said. “I like to fish a ChatterBait and burn the bank, but a buzzbait and any flipping technique could be a big player. It’s a great lake for some old-school power fishing.”