The lake known as “The Jewel of South Carolina” is primed for the Bassmaster Elite Fishing Series, with anglers coming from all over the nation competing to collect the most bass fish. 

The national tournament, hosted by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, returns to Lake Murray for the first time in 12 years, bringing about 125 competitors with it.

The event takes place April 20-23, with weigh-ins and other festivities at Dreher Island, includng  a concert and free, family-friendly expo featuring Kristian Bush of Sugarland. 

Among the competitors is one local angler, Bryan New, who lives in the Saluda area with his family now but grew up fishing at Lake Wylie in North Carolina. 

“I grew up fishing and it was just one step and another step and pretty early in life I decided I wanted to do this. I was about 8 or 9 years old,” said New. “It’s been a blessing for it to work out.”

“Every step in life afforded me an opportunity to do this,” he added. 

New recalled growing up fishing on the lake and hanging out at a tackle store just up the street from his house.

“I hung out there and met a lot of friends. I turned to bass fishing. I was always really competitive and wanted to beat everyone,” the angler said. “I literally started at the bottom of tournament fishing.” 

Eventually, New worked his way up the winner’s list. He’s been a professional angler for about eight years. 

According to the Bassmaster website, he’s competed in a total of 35 tournaments and has had two first place finishes and placed 10 times in the Top 10. After winning the first Bassmaster Open for the 2020 season, he registered for all the opens in a bid to qualify for the Elites. He went on to win the title of 2020 Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year.

New said his biggest bass caught on Lake Murray in 2019 was nine pounds, three ounces and the biggest fish he ever caught was a grouper weighing in at 350 pounds. The grouper had to go back in the water, but that was a huge moment, he said. 

The angler said he is excited to fish at his home lake at a major tournament.

“It’s pretty rare to have a major event at your home lake. It’s pretty cool but weird,” he offered. “I’m super excited about it, though, not just to hopefully win but to have an opportunity in front of my home crowd. My wife and daughter travel with me to all the events but to have an opportunity to have all of my family and friends witness it is rare.”

New is excited for the event to bring people to Lake Murray so they can experience it.

“It’s going to open the eyes of people who don’t know how good Lake Murray is. Hopefully we can pull out some magic,” he said.

The four-day Bassmaster event is one of nine stops on the series’ latest edition. It can be viewed on Fox Sports channels, and a streaming link which can be found on Capital City/Lake Murray Country website.

The tourism board’s CEO, Miriam Atria, encouraged people to use the free shuttle service, which will allow for free admission. Otherwise people will have to pay the entrance fee when driving onto the island. The shuttle is available April 22-23 during the third and fourth day of the series when the expo and concert take place. There will be booths, exhibits and food and beverage vendors during the series.

“What’s great about this is it’s in April, which is a top bass fishing month,” said Atria. “Lake Murray will deliver strong.”

Atria also points out that the national event brings a substantial economic impact for the Midlands. 

“It provides millions in economic impact as they’re in town for about seven days because of pre-fishing practice,” says Atria. “Add to that the value of the lake being featured on national television.”

Take off for the participants is at 7 a.m. and weigh-ins are at 3 p.m. A Bassmaster champion will be crowned at Lake Murray, a key stop in the series as anglers compete for other titles along the way. For more information, go to lakemurraycountry.com/event/bassmaster-elite-series.