Lots Of Techniques Should Work At Murray
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour is set to visit Columbia, S.C., and Lake Murray this week for the third regular-season event of 2025. The tournament will feature 66 professional anglers competing for a $150,000 top prize.
The BPT last visited Lake Murray in 2023, when Anthony Gagliardi added another major victory to his impressive record on his home lake. His success on the fishery includes a 2006 FLW Tour win, a 2014 Forrest Wood Cup title and a runner-up finish at the 2021 Pro Circuit event – a tournament won by fellow BPT competitor Matt Becker.
When asked about the conditions and expectations, Gagliardi shared insights into how he anticipates the tournament unfolding.
"I know that it's fishing good. It always does this time of year," Gagliardi said. "You can catch them on a lot of different things, so I think the guys are going to have fun because they're going to catch fish – big fish – in a variety of ways."
Taking current weather patterns into consideration, Gagliardi said he believes the event will fall squarely in the pre-spawn stage.
"We're kind of in a place where the spawn can really move. Sometimes they spawn in February, sometimes not until April. It depends on the winter and recent weather. We've had some cold spells and a warm week, but I think it's going to be a pre-spawn event. It's just not warm enough to push a lot of fish into the spawn yet."
With multiple ways to target bass, Gagliardi expects a mix of techniques to play a role throughout the tournament.
"There will be fish caught in all depths,” he said. “Some guys will fish shallow with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and flipping jigs around cover. Others will focus on jerkbaits or forward-facing sonar. It’s really going to be a typical pre-spawn deal, with ChatterBaits, crankbaits, dragging a worm and flipping a jig all coming into play. There’s not really a way you could fish this lake right now and not catch one."
As for tournament weights, Gagliardi admits it's difficult to predict.
"I’ve never fished a tournament here in the everything-counts format. Last time, I won under the five-fish limit format. Looking at it that way, you’re going to have mid-20-pound bags, and then who knows how many fish beyond that? Maybe someone cracks 100 pounds. I’d guess that 30 pounds a day would be a solid mark to advance, but we’ll have to see how it plays out."
Despite his history of success on Murray, Gagliardi remains cautious about his chances at another win on his hometown fishery.
"I never feel good about it going in. Even though I’ve done well, I’m always leery,” Gagliardi said. “I honestly don’t fish the lake as much as I should, even though I live here. I know the lake well, but I don’t always know the bite for a given time of year. Every time I’ve won, it’s been doing something different than I expected.
“I’m a little nervous going into it, like I always am before any big tournament, but I enjoy fishing the lake and it’ll be fun. It’s just the lead-up that gets me – figuring out how to practice, when to use forward-facing sonar and how to adapt. That’s what stresses me out the most. But once we hit the water, it’s all about figuring things out fast enough to stay in productive areas."
Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to visit Lake Murray next week
Lake Murray, SC 02/26/2025 - Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to visit Lake Murray next week March 6-9, for the third regular-season event of the 2025 Bass Pro Tour – the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King. Top anglers in professional bass fishing will be competing for a $150,000 top prize, crucial points in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) race and coveted qualification spots for the Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026.
The four-day event, organized by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, will feature 66 of the world's leading professional anglers, including the defending champion of Lake Murray, local resident Anthony Gagliardi, the current Fishing Clash AOY Jacob Wheeler, and the 2024 REDCREST Champion Dustin Connell. Also participating are notable South Carolina anglers such as Casey Ashley, Andy Montgomery, Britt Myers, along with the father-son fishing team of Marty and Marshall Robinson, all looking to leverage their local knowledge for success.
The tournament will feature the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament is being filmed for broadcast later this year on Discovery. Television coverage of the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King will air as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. EST, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Sunday, Oct. 5. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Returning Champion - Prosperity Local, Anthony Gagliardi The Bass Pro Tour last visited the Jewel of South Carolina in 2023, where Anthony Gagliardi added another major victory to his impressive record on his home lake. His success on the fishery includes a 2006 FLW Tour win, a 2014 Forrest Wood Cup title and a runner-up finish at the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event – a tournament won by fellow Bass Pro Tour competitor Matt Becker, underscoring the high level of competition that defines this event.
When asked about the conditions and expectations, Gagliardi shared insights into how he anticipates the tournament unfolding. "I know that it's fishing good. It always does this time of year," Gagliardi said. "You can catch bass on a lot of different things, so I think the guys are going to have fun because they're going to catch fish – big fish – in a variety of ways."
Champion angler Anthony Gagliardi joins Livingston Lures as newest Pro Staff member
San Antonio, Texas – Anthony Gagliardi recently joined Livingston Lures’ Pro Staff team. Livingston Lures is the industry innovator in EBS Technology™ and the only brand utilizing actual biological baitfish sounds to attract predators.
A native of Prosperity, South Carolina, Gagliardi is one of a select few anglers to have won both the Forrest Wood Cup (2014) and the FLW Tour Angler of the Year title (2006). With a career spanning more than two decades, he has secured three FLW Tour victories (2003, 2006, 2009) and, most recently, captured Stage Three of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour on Lake Murray — his third major triumph on his home waters.
Renowned for his precision, strategic mindset, and deep understanding of the sport, Gagliardi is not only a dominant competitor but also a respected ambassador within the fishing community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Anthony Gagliardi to the Livingston Lures family,” said Erick Arnoldson, VP of Operations at Livingston Lures. “His exceptional skill, experience, and passion for fishing perfectly align with our mission to push the boundaries of innovation and performance. Anthony’s insights and expertise will be invaluable as we continue developing cutting-edge solutions for anglers worldwide.”
As a Livingston Lures Pro Staff member, Gagliardi will play a key role in product development, serve as a brand ambassador at tournaments and industry events, and contribute to educational content designed to help anglers elevate their skills.
“I’m honored to join Livingston Lures as a Pro Staff member,” Gagliardi said. “I’ve long admired their commitment to quality and performance, and I’m excited to help showcase how their products can truly enhance an angler’s experience on the water. Together, we’ll inspire anglers of all skill levels to push their limits and achieve more.”
With Gagliardi on board, Livingston Lures further solidifies its commitment to equipping anglers with the tools, technology, and knowledge needed to excel in both competition and recreational fishing.
For more information about Livingston Lures and its partnership with Anthony Gagliardi, visit livingstonlures.com or follow Livingston Lures on Facebook, Instagram or X.