The last open of the year was supposed to be in NC, but they switched it to Lake Martin because of the hurricane. I thought I couldn't catch a 3 lb bass out of that lake because I was lousy fisherman. Turns out those guys can't catch one either. I guess I can still be a lousy fisherman.

Will Davis caught a 4 lb largemouth yesterday and a 3 lb spot today, and that had him leading the last time I looked. Most of them haven't come close to a 3 pounder.

Sounds about right to me. Some of those local tournament guys can do good but heavy bags are still few and far between

Grew up fishing on Lake Martin....Crappie mostly. Cleanest river water in the state.....but VERY infertile which leads to skinny feesh. Very similar to Smith Lake.

Grew up on that lake as well. I’ve hooked a few big fish on the north end but could never seal the deal. Did catch a 5 lb spot.

I watched some of it today. I fish Martin monthly. As mentioned it’s very infertile but there are some good large mouth around if you know where to look.

My largest bass on public waters is one a little over 11lbs. A female that was skinny and just laid her eggs prior to catching. Released to grow another year. The area was known for catch and release at the time. Local folks didn't let it out too much, but some would let you know they had caught and released above average fish for years. A lot of bream and shad in this place along with large catfish that really should have been caught out. Imagine, it takes around 11 years to grow that big a fish. A lot of folks can come along and eat your potential once in a lifetime trophy. This same place just hasn't produced the last 7 years. Just takes a lot of cooperation and help from mother nature, especially with the number of folks fishing these days with less remote areas to grow a huge bass.

Ive caught a 7# large head and probably 4# spot on Martin. My dad caught one that was 8.6# but those were over 25 years ago.

Of all the great bass fishing lakes why the heck did they pick Martin?

I got lost on it

My guess is money was involved in some way.

It was original scheduled on a lake in one of the areas affected by Helene. They had to make a quick, last minute decision to change lakes and Martin seemed the most feasible.

15 pounds will probably win it.

Pretty close…. 35lb 15oz for the win

They were sure burning the fuel last week and this past weekend. They were churning the sloughs too, where was the game warden and marine patrol to supervise the new rules that were mandated? There were a bunch blowing up the small sloughs in the Sandy Creek area I’m in.

I caught a good one over there Wednesday and and had 12lbs. caught a 100 saturday and probably didn't have 10lbs.


https://imgur.com/a/QGiZXnP

Curious as to what these “new rules” are? Are they Lake Martin specific? I’ve got property on the lake but haven’t heard anything

Saw 3 really nice rigs convoyed up heading NW on 157 yesterday morning. Figured they may have been some of the pros going home. Only saw 1 tag n it was an Arkansas tag.

Following. I use to live in sandy creek area as well. Curios about new rules as well.

Lake Martin Information - new laws
Proximity law: Starting October 1, 2024, all motorized boats must operate at idle speed within 100 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure. Idle speed means creating no wake, which can be achieved by shifting to neutral and then putting the boat forward one click. Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are prohibited within 200 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure.

That’s gonna be interesting. Hope they enforce it.