“What an incredible day at the Christian Catfish Hole in Lithia Springs, GA! The Atlanta Tightlines Bass Club was proud to host our Kids Fishing Derby, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout or better memories.

A huge thank you to the owners of Christian Catfish Hole for welcoming us and providing such a beautiful space for the kids to enjoy. The excitement on the faces of the children—and even a few adults-who caught their very first fish was priceless! It was a day full of laughter, learning, and new experiences that families will remember for years to come.

We also want to extend a special thank you to the @Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for your support and involvement. Your presence made the event even more impactful.
Thank you to all the parents, volunteers, and smiling young anglers who made this day so special. Tight lines and see you at the next one!”

Michael Wilder, Central Georgia Bass Club, Grabs Clarks Hill Lake Win

The Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) spent the week of 19-23 March, 2025 on Clarks Hill Lake, Appling, GA. in order to determine who would walk away with the title of Georgia Bass Federation 2025 State Champion. All three practice days were almost perfect. Mornings started out to be a bit chilly, but they warmed up as the day progressed. One day called for rainy conditions, but thankfully there were more clouds than actual rain. Water conditions were dependent upon which direction you went. Crystal clear conditions were found, but you could also find cloudy/stained water. Water temperatures ranged from the mid-50’s to 60 degree water as it got later in the afternoon. Day 1 proved to be a great day. Out of the fifty (50) teams participating, there were thirty-two (32) five (5) fish limits on the boater’s side and twenty-six (26) three (3) fish limits on the co-angler’s side. Top boater was Michael Wilder from the Central Georgia Bass Club with five (5) bass weighing 18-07 pounds and the top co-angler was Bijon Blazeski from the Roswell Bass Club with three (3) bass weighing 9-12 pounds.

Day 2 proved to be a bit tougher than day 1. There were twenty-six (26) five (5) fish limits and twenty-two three (3) fish limits were weighed in. Michael Wilder weighed in a second five (5) bass limit totaling 14 pounds 5 ounces to go along with his day 1 finish of 18 pounds 7 ounces to capture the overall first place honors and winning the honor of the Geogia Bass Federation 2025 State Champion. Bijon Blazeski had another solid day with three bass totaling 8 pounds 7 ounces winning him the honor of the Georgia Bass Federation 2025 State Champion on the Co-Angler’s side.

Overall Big Fish for the event on the Boater’s side was Aaron Conatser from Backlash Bass Club with 6 pounds 10 ounces and overall big fish on the Co-Angler’s side was Bijon Blazeski from Roswell Bass Club with 4 pounds 8 ounces.

All in all it was a great experience for all involved. The Butts Bass Club took home the Club Pride Trophy honors with a total weight of 83 pounds 3 ounces.

Many, many thanks go out to the GBF volunteers for the planning and execution of this event. Accommodations provided by the staff at Wildwood Park made our GBF anglers feel right at home. All members of their staff were courteous and helpful throughout the entire event.

The 2025 Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) State Championship is underway on Clarks Hill Lake, Appling, GA. The event kicked off on Friday evening with the President of the GBF, Quinnen Peavy, providing a detailed rules and safety brief. Fifty (50) teams are participating in this two-day event with the final weigh-in starting at 2:00 pm on Sunday, 23 March, at Wildwood Park, Appling, GA. The top Boater and Co-Angler will automatically win a berth in the Bass Federation (TBF) Federation National Championship in 2026. The top ten (10) Boaters and Co-Anglers will automatically advance to the District 1 GA-FL National Semi Finals in September on Lake Blackshear, Cordele, GA.

Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) anglers for the first time in history will converge on Thomson, Georgia to compete in the 2025 Georgia State Championship Bass Tournament.  The tournament will be held on March 22-23, 2025 at Amity Recreation Area located at the Raysville bridge in Lincolnton, GA. Official practice dates are 19-21 March, 2025.

Strom Thurmond Lake, formally Clark’s Hill Lake, is the third-largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River at 71,000 acres, bordering Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin.   The lake is one of the Southeast’s largest and most popular public recreation lakes.  Strom Thurmond dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1946 and 1954, as part of a flood control, hydropower and navigation project.  Its legally authorized purposes now include recreation, water quality, water supply and fish and wildlife management.

The Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) is one of the first of 47 federations organized under the umbrella of The Bass Federation, Inc.  Founded in 1970, we remain a 100% member owned, not-for-profit corporation in Georgia.  GBF is a 100% volunteer-operated organization, serving nature loving families in Georgia for over fifty years.  GBF founding principles are angling, conservation and ongoing support for the youth of the sport with an emphasis on serving our members, caring for our shared outdoor resources and the communities we live in.

More information about The Bass Federation is available at www.bassfederation.com.

For additional local information see Thomson-McDuffie County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau at https://www.thomsonmcduffiechamber.com