CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – April 22, 2025 – The Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour rolls into Tennessee next week for one of the most anticipated events of the season. From May 1–4, the spotlight turns to the iconic waters of Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake as Stage 4, presented by OPTIMA Batteries and sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts, kicks off in Chattanooga.
This four-day event will showcase 66 of the top anglers in the world, all chasing the $150,000 top prize, valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year points, and qualification spots for Heavy Hitters and REDCREST 2026.
Bass Pro Tour Stage 4 Tournament Overview
When Bass Pro Tour anglers last hit the water, Dustin Connell was hoisting another REDCREST trophy just below Nickajack Dam on the upper end of Lake Guntersville. Now, the season picks back up this time just a few miles upriver for O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries, bringing the field of 66 pros to two Tennessee River fisheries that promise plenty of curveballs: Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake.
Chickamauga needs no introduction. One of the most storied tournament lakes in America, it’s hosted Bass Pro Tour events in 2019 and 2021. But there’s a twist this time: only the Qualifying Rounds will take place on Chickamauga. The Knockout and Championship Rounds will shift to Nickajack a smaller, more river-like lake tucked between Chickamauga and Guntersville offering an unknown element that could shake up the standings.
Lake Chickamauga & Nickajack Lake Fishing Report
Expect Multiple Patterns to Shine at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack for Bass Pro Tour Stage 4
Lake Chickamauga Fishing Report – April 28, 2025
Current Conditions:
- Water Temperature: Approximately 65°F
- Weather: Partly sunny with highs in the low 80s°F
- Water Clarity: Moderate
Chickamauga stretches nearly 60 miles, covering more than 35,000 acres of prime bass habitat. But the real question on every angler’s mind is simple: What phase are the bass in?
Local hammers Michael Neal and Wesley Strader both predict bass will be in every stage of the spawn prespawn, spawning, and postspawn though they differ slightly on which phase will dominate.
Neal believes most of the action will be shallow. Some bass may be starting to slide offshore toward the famous Tennessee River ledges, but for the most part, he expects the best fishing to happen up shallow, targeting fish on beds or those chasing spawning bluegill and shad.
“It’s going to be way better for guys fishing shallow,” Neal said. “Even when bass start moving out, there aren’t many out there yet.”
Last year’s Toyota Series event on Chickamauga backs him up. Banks Shaw won by a landslide targeting offshore postspawn bass but it was a rare bite no one else found. Most top finishers caught fish shallow, a style better suited to the Bass Pro Tour’s every-fish-counts format.
However, Strader thinks there could be more postspawn activity this year due to an unusually warm spring and higher water levels since late March. That might mean a stronger ledge bite earlier than normal.
“We had rain early and they brought the water up halfway and kept it there,” Strader said. “It triggered a lot of spawning earlier than usual.”
In short: viewers can expect a mix of strategies from bed fishing and bluegill chasing in the shallows, to a few anglers probing offshore ledges for big postspawn bass.
“You’ll see a little bit of everything,” Strader said. “But don’t be surprised if someone leading after two days is doing it offshore.”
Chickamauga Techniques To Watch For
- Shallow water techniques like bladed jigs, topwaters, and wacky worms will dominate.
- Offshore anglers will reach for deep-diving crankbaits, big worms, flutter spoons, and hair jigs.
- The ever-popular jighead minnow + forward-facing sonar combo will definitely make an appearance — although anglers are limited to using sonar just one period per day under new rules.
Heavy fishing pressure could push some competitors toward finesse tactics, but make no mistake Chickamauga is still the Land of Giants. Earlier this spring, multiple bass over 10 pounds hit the scales.
Both locals predict it’ll take around 30 pounds per day to crack the Top 20 and make it to the Knockout Round. Neal believes the top Qualifying Round angler could rack up 110–120 pounds.
Nickajack Lake Fishing Report – April 28, 2025
Current Conditions:
- Water Temperature: Approximately 65°F
- Weather: Partly sunny with highs in the low 80s°F
- Water Clarity: Improving
The road to the trophy won’t end on Chickamauga. After the Qualifying Round, anglers who advance will switch gears and tackle Nickajack a very different beast.
This presents a major strategy question: Push hard for the Qualifying Round win (and an automatic spot in the Championship), or save energy and knowledge for Nickajack?
Practice time is limited, and even locals like Neal admit they have very little experience on Nickajack.
“I’ve spent less than five days ever on Nickajack,” Neal said. “If you spend practice time there and don’t even make it, you’re going to regret it.”
Strader, however, knows Nickajack well. He describes it as more river-like, with steeper banks, fewer shallow flats, and a healthy mix of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Unlike Chickamauga which has lost a lot of its grass Nickajack still boasts heavy vegetation, offering plenty of options.
“Nickajack fishes differently,” Strader said. “It’s like a mini-Guntersville.”
Expect grass to play a big role, with bass likely spread from the shoreline out to deeper grass lines.
BPT Stage 4 Day-by-Day Tournament Updates & Standings
Information will be updated as it is available
