Mandatory Meeting

Our Wednesday nights mandatory meeting is in the books and WOW, what an event!  As always, Andy Montgomery, our very own FOM Professional Angler spoke straight from his heart.  We heard from so many that were touched by his message.  There were 17 rededications and several prayer request, which were all prayed over during the day on Thursday by our staff.

Now that everything is set for Day 1 of our 2025 National Championship on Lake Murray, “The Jewel of South Carolina”.  With blast-off only few hours away, we’re not sure much sleep in happening with our anglers.  Rumor has it that this lake, at this time of year, could produce some of the biggest bags we’ve seen in a while.  The anticipation of winning the two BassCat boats, along with the trophies and the yearly bragging rights are running very high.  In the 27 years of FOM, we’ve never had a “back to back” National Champion.  One would ask, would this be the year?

Thanks to Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board for hosting this multiple day event!  Also, thanks to our FOM Professional Angler, Andy Montgomery, for sharing straight for his heart tonight during his message to our anglers and staff.  This night has truly been orchestrated by God and we at FOM give Him all the Honor and Glory for all the spiritual things that has happen and that continue to happen within our FOM Nation.

Day 1

Day 1

Day 1’s weigh-in started off early with boat #127, Haydan Marshall/Tanner French from Texas North Central setting the leader board at 12.08 pounds.  After 4 hours of weighing in teams, boat #73 Nelson Walker/Darryl Starkey from South Carolina Low Country took the Day 1’s 1st Place with 27.24 pounds and Big Fish with a 7.95 pound whopper.  Taking 2nd place was boat #124 Brad Burdette/Randall Quarles from South Carolina with a 26.11 pound bag.  Boat #97 Jason Burroughs/Darren Ashley from South Carolina Upstate lands 3rd place with 25.48 pounds.  Taking 4th place was boat #119 Wayne Frierson/Ronald Mueller from South Carolina Low Country with their 25.43 pounds.  Rounding out the Top 5 on Day 1 was boat #20, Lucas Murphy/Will Alewine from South Carolina Low Country with a 24.63 pound bag.

Weighing in early and finally holding on to 10th Place on Day 1 was Boat #38, Theodore Thibodeaux/Jessica Thibodeaux from Texas East with a 21.52 pound bag.  There were a total of 13 teams weighing in bags over 20 pounds and it took 18.86 pounds to claim 20th place.  To make it into the Top 30, it took 18.17 pounds and Day 1’s cut going into the second day was 17.64 pounds for 39th place.

At the end of Day 1, there were over 830 bass weighed in, totaling around 2,560 pounds. Out of 195 teams, we had 149 teams weigh in a limit of 5 bass each.