The common-man, hardworking attitude of Vicious Fishing Pro Angler Brandon Lester may prove to be a big advantage during this week’s tournament.
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The 2025 Bassmaster Classic, set to take place on Lake Ray Roberts in Texas, promises to be an exciting yet challenging tournament for anglers. With windy conditions, prespawn temperatures and a tough bite to crack, the event will test the skills of even the most seasoned anglers. As we approach the big day, the stakes are high and all eyes are on the anglers ready to battle for the title of Bassmaster Classic Champion.
Lake Ray Roberts, located just north of Denton, Texas, is known for its potential to produce trophy bass but it’s also notorious for being a tricky body of water to both navigate and fish. As several pro anglers prepare for the tournament, they’ve already been dealing with some of the lake’s challenges, which could influence their strategy for the big event.
“It’s a windy lake, and this tournament is going be one where the weights look good on paper but the fishing is gonna be tough,” said Vicious Fishing and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lester. “This lake doesn’t have a lot of fish, so you’re not going to get 30 or 40 bites a day. If you can get seven or 10 bites a day, you’d be good.”
These conditions are not unusual for Ray Roberts Lake, which is not known for large quantities of fish but rather the size of its bass. The quality of fish here is often exceptional but anglers have to put in the time and patience to catch them. With prespawn conditions, where bass are preparing for the spawn but haven't fully moved into the shallows yet, the water temperature is hovering between 54 and 60 degrees. It’s the perfect time to fish for those big, heavy bass, but also a time when bites come few and far between.
“The first day of practice had gusts up to 50mph and I didn’t get many bites,” Lester said. “It’s tough out there and when you add in the windy conditions, it only makes it harder to get a good feel for things.”
However, despite the challenges, the lake has the potential to produce some serious giants. According to another angler, the lake's topography and water conditions make it a prime location to find big bass.
“This lake has the potential to see a 12- or 13-pounder weighed in,” Lester said. “It has quality. The few bites I’ve gotten have been bigguns. It’s a lake where, if you get the right bite, it could be a huge deal.”
The strategy for many anglers will focus on finding areas where they can settle in and catch the fish they need. With many competitors calling it a “prespawn fishery,” the key will be understanding the behavior of the bass during this time period and figuring out where to position themselves to make the most of the conditions.
“I wanted to find an area I could call home and hunker down,” Lester said. “It’s supposed to be windy during the tournament, so finding a spot to focus on and settle into for a while could be the way to go.”
The timber in the water, along with the lack of clearly marked boat lanes, can create obstacles for even the most experienced fishermen. For those venturing into the upper arms of the lake, things only get more treacherous.
“It’s a hard lake to navigate, especially with all the timber,” Lester said. “The boat lanes aren’t marked real well, so you have to be really careful. The lower end of the lake is open, but if you get up the eastern arm, it gets treacherous.”
Another factor that could affect the outcome of the Classic is the clarity of the water. Lake Ray Roberts is often described as “fairly dirty” and “typical Texas” when it comes to water quality. This murky water can be a double-edged sword for competitors. On one hand, the dirty water can make it harder to locate the fish but on the other hand, it can help the big bass feel more secure and less likely to shy away from a bait.
“I’m looking for the dirtiest water and the heaviest cover,” Lester said. “It’s all about that murkiness and finding the areas where the bass can feel comfortable, especially with the prespawn conditions. I’m a Tennessee boy and I’m going to fish this Classic the way I feel most comfortable. That’s how I approach each one.”
The tackle and technique used during this tournament will be crucial. Anglers are likely to bring a variety of rods, reels, lures and lines to match the different conditions they’ll face on the lake. Lester mentions how he’s spooled up with a heavy line to handle the timber and moving baits.
Moving baits, such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits, will likely be a popular choice for anglers looking to cover more water and locate fish in the deeper parts of the lake. Slow-moving baits like jigs, Texas rigs and Carolina rigs will come into play when targeting bass that are holding tight to cover or deep structure. Regardless of the method, anglers must be prepared for a wide range of fishing conditions, from turbulent winds to tricky underwater terrain.
As the 2025 Bassmaster Classic draws closer, it’s clear that Ray Roberts will put competitors to the test. With challenging fishing conditions, treacherous waters and the potential for giant bass, the tournament promises to be one for the books. For those lucky enough to get their hands on a few big bites, it could mean the difference between victory and defeat in one of the most prestigious bass-fishing tournaments in the world.
