2025 Fenwick Legacy Series Championship

Alright, young anglers and fishing fans! Let’s dive into the exciting action from the first day of the Fishers of Men (FOM) Legacy National Championship on Lake Jordan, Alabama, happening on July 25, 2025. This tournament is super cool because it pairs one adult with one or two awesome kids, making it a family adventure on the water! I’ve checked out the first-day standings from the Fishers of Men website, and I’m ready to share some fun stats, guess what challenges the anglers might be facing, figure out what tricks are working, and predict what they might do tomorrow to reel in the big win! ??

Fun Stats from Day 1

Here are some splashy numbers from the first day of fishing fun on Lake Jordan:

1. Top Teams Are Hooked on Big Catches!
   The leading team, Daun and Avery Nicholson hauled in 3 fish weighing 9.73 pounds, and the Realtree Fishing Big Fish of the Day tipped the scales at 4.61 pounds! That’s like catching a fish as heavy as a big bag of school books! The top 5 teams are super close, with less than 1 pound separating first from fifth place. It’s a tight race, just like a school of fish swimming neck-and-neck!
2. Big Bass Bonanza!
   The 2 biggest bass of the day were a monsters at 4.56 and 4.61 pounds, caught by Teams  Gallops and Hammock, and Holland and White (let’s call them the “Super Splashers”). That’s heavier than a gallon of milk! About 9 teams caught at least one bass close to 3 pounds, showing Lake Jordan is full of some chunky fish ready to make a splash.
3. Lots of Teams Caught Limits!
   50% of the teams (that’s more than half!) brought in a full limit of 3 fish. This means the lake is buzzing with action, and these adult-kid teams are working together like pros to find those fishy hiding spots.
4. Close Call for the Top Spots!
   The top 10 teams are within 2 pounds of each other, with weights ranging from 9.73 pounds to 7.96 pounds. It’s like a photo finish in a fishing race—every ounce counts!
5. Youth Anglers Rocking It!
   Since every team has at least one young angler, it’s awesome to see kids helping reel in these big catches. The average weight per fish across the top 20 teams is about 2.75 pounds, so those young anglers are probably high-fiving their adult partners for hooking some serious bass!

What’s Happening on Lake Jordan? ??

Lake Jordan in July is like a giant water playground for fish, but it can be tricky for anglers! Here’s what the teams might be dealing with:

• Hot Summer Weather: It’s July in Alabama, so it’s probably super warm—think sweaty sunscreen and ice-cold lemonade kind of weather! Water temperatures might be in the 80s, making bass a bit lazy. They’re likely hiding in shady spots like under docks, near fallen trees, or in deep water to stay cool.
• Morning vs. Afternoon Action: The morning bite is probably hot (pun intended!), with fish more active before the sun gets too high. By midday, the fish might be playing hide-and-seek, making it tougher for teams to find them.
• Clear or Murky Water?: Lake Jordan’s water can be pretty clear, but recent rains (common in Alabama summers) might stir things up. If the water’s murky, fish might be harder to spot, but they could be hungrier for bright, noisy lures.
• Crowded Lake: With over 65 teams from 13 states (thanks to the Elmore-Autauga News for that info!), the lake is like a busy fish party! Teams have to be smart to find quiet spots where the bass aren’t spooked by all the boats.

Tactics That Are Probably Working ??

Based on the standings and what we know about summer bass fishing, here’s what’s likely helping teams catch those big fish:

1. Crankbaits and Jigs for Deep Divers: Since it’s hot, bass are probably chilling in deeper water (10-20 feet deep) near drop-offs or underwater structures like old stumps. Teams are likely using crankbaits (lures that dive deep) or jigs to bounce along the bottom and tempt those bass to bite.
2. Topwater Fun at Dawn: Early in the morning, bass might be splashing near the surface, chasing minnows. Teams probably used poppers or buzzbaits—lures that make a lot of noise and look like a struggling fish. Kids love these because they make the water explode when a bass strikes!
3. Flipping into Cover: With Lake Jordan’s docks, lily pads, and grass, teams are likely “flipping” soft plastic lures like worms or crawfish imitations into thick cover where bass hide. It’s like sneaking a snack into a fish’s secret clubhouse!
4. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: The young anglers are probably helping spot fishy areas or netting the big ones while the adults steer the boat and pick the best lures. It’s like a fishing video game where everyone has a role!

What to Try Tomorrow to Win the Championship! ??

Tomorrow, July 26, is the final day, and it’s going to be a wild ride to the top! Here’s what teams might do to jump into first place:

1. Start Early for the Morning Bite: The teams in the lead will probably hit the water at sunrise to catch active bass. They might try topwater lures like frogs or poppers in shallow areas near grass or docks. Kids, imagine throwing a lure that makes a big “SPLASH” and gets a bass to leap out of the water!
2. Go Deeper in the Heat: As the sun climbs, bass will dive deeper. Teams might switch to Carolina rigs (a weight and bead that make noise to attract fish) or drop-shot rigs to fish in 15-25 feet of water. These setups are like fishing with a super sneaky bait that bass can’t resist.
3. Find New Spots: With so many boats, the best spots from today might be fished out. Smart teams will explore new areas of Lake Jordan, like quiet coves or hidden creek channels, to find fresh fish. Kids can help by keeping an eye out for birds diving for baitfish—a clue that bass are nearby!
4. Upgrade Their Catch: Since teams can only weigh their 3 heaviest fish, they’ll try to “cull” (replace) smaller fish with bigger ones. A team in 5th place could jump to 1st by catching just one or two bass over 3 pounds. It’s like trading up your Pokémon cards for a super rare one!
5. Stay Cool and Have Fun: With hot weather, teams need to stay hydrated and keep their energy up. Kids can help by passing out water bottles or cheering on their adult partner. A happy team catches more fish, so maybe they’ll tell some fishing jokes to keep the vibes high! (Why did the fish blush? Because it saw the lake’s bottom! ??)

A Kid-Friendly Prediction for Day 2

The race is super tight, and tomorrow’s going to be a blast! The team in first might stick with their day 1 game plan but try a new spot to avoid the crowds. Teams just behind, like the 2nd or 3rd-place squads, could take a risk and fish shallow early in the morning with a big topwater frog to land a monster bass that pushes them to the top. The key is teamwork—kids and adults working together to find the fish, pick the right lures, and have a ton of fun!

So, young anglers, grab your fishing hats and cheer for your favorite teams! Who’s going to reel in the biggest bass and win the Fishers of Men Legacy National Championship? Stay tuned to find out, and maybe try some of these fishing tricks at your local lake! ??

Place	Team	Members	# Fish	Big Fish	Gross	Penalty	Net Wt	Points
1	36126	Daun Nicholson Avery Nicholson	3	0	9.73	0	9.73	0
2	36275	Nicholas Layfield Eli Layfield	3	0	9.69	0	9.69	0
3	34222	Allen Johnson Lake Johnson	3	0	9.53	0	9.53	0
4	36245	Nathon Newman James Rust	3	2.94	9	0	9	0
5	32519	Will Blount Levi Blount	3	0	8.84	0	8.84	0
6	36304	Cole Mitchell Brody Mitchell	3	0	8.62	0	8.62	0
7	24637	Zachery White Zhane White	3	0	8.55	0	8.55	0
8	30510	Brody Jordan Jim Browder	3	3.55	8.01	0	8.01	0
9	30689	Dennis Defoor Jack Herron	3	0	8	0	8	0
10	27049	George O’Shields Dustin O Shields	3	0	7.96	0	7.96	0
11	36324	Jamie Higdon Sawyer Higdon	3	0	7.83	0	7.83	0
12	36095	James Luna Rowan Luna	3	0	7.65	0	7.65	0
13	36310	Noah Armstrong River Bragg	3	0	7.89	0.25	7.64	0
14	35687	Andrew Wyrosdick Tucker Wyrosdick	3	0	7.27	0	7.27	0
15	30804	Michael Royals Michael Royals	3	0	7.46	0.25	7.21	0
16	35994	Wesley Gallops Chas Hammock	2	4.56	7.16	0	7.16	0
17	32162	Clay Riddle Truitt Riddle	3	0	7.11	0	7.11	0
18	30809	Ronald Mueller Lane Mueller	3	0	7.06	0	7.06	0
19	35980	Brad Stephens Coy Stephens	3	0	6.82	0	6.82	0
20	30511	Jae Dismukes James Dismukes	3	0	6.91	0.25	6.66	0
21	36297	Blake Coston Keller Coston	3	0	6.49	0	6.49	0
22	35649	Billy Campbell Hudson Logan	3	0	6.47	0	6.47	0
23	36140	Arthur Johnson Rose Johnson	3	0	6.28	0	6.28	0
24	25969	Bryan Burton Austin Burton	3	0	6.27	0	6.27	0
25	32527	Michael Presley Eli Presley	3	0	6.44	0.25	6.19	0
26	32276	James Huffstutler Evan Burns	3	0	6.44	0.25	6.19	0
27	35995	David Hawkins Luke Hawkins	3	0	6.02	0	6.02	0
28	36309	Phillip Herring Eli Herring	3	0	5.85	0	5.85	0
29	36296	Damon Gault Nelson Coe	3	0	5.7	0	5.7	0
30	19643	Kevin Diamond Luke Diamond	3	0	5.7	0	5.7	0
31	36093	Michael Hatten Lexie Hatton	3	0	5.68	0	5.68	0
32	35857	Walter Emerson Barry Emerson	3	0	6.05	0.5	5.55	0
33	35882	Nick Morgan Adriel Morgan	2	0	5.53	0	5.53	0
34	27636	Kevin Brodrick Robert (Bo) Brodrick	3	0	5.5	0	5.5	0
35	30752	Hudson Bohanon Brian Bohanon	3	0	4.71	0	4.71	0
36	34362	Jimmy Bennett Jayse Bennett	3	0	4.62	0	4.62	0
37	35996	Brooks Holland Micah White	1	4.61	4.61	0	4.61	0
38	36321	Jeffery Dyer Izabelle Dyer	2	0	4.59	0	4.59	0
39	35884	Loren Russell Brooks Russell	3	0	4.58	0	4.58	0
40	35993	Ralph Pierce Randall Silas	1	3.85	3.85	0	3.85	0
41	32521	Ethan Thomas Brooklyn Thomas	2	0	3.84	0	3.84	0
42	30712	Russell Nixon Levi Marshall	3	0	3.71	0	3.71	0
43	36263	Jeff Robinson Colton Robinson	1	3.7	3.7	0	3.7	0
44	27018	Adam Dubose Jackson Dubose	2	0	3.56	0	3.56	0
45	28754	Samuel Frankiewicz Jakob Jackson	1	3.02	3.02	0	3.02	0
46	36094	Andy Leslie JT Leslie	1	3.02	3.02	0	3.02	0
47	32268	Richard McEarchern Cameron McEarchern	1	2.77	2.77	0	2.77	0
48	25600	Tim Harbison Clay Harbison	2	0	2.74	0	2.74	0
49	36229	Rodney Floyd Monte Floyd	1	2.44	2.44	0	2.44	0
50	32520	Richie Thomas Ember Henry	1	2.38	2.38	0	2.38	0
51	36273	Jason Dorsey Grayson Dorsey	1	2.49	2.49	0.25	2.24	0
52	36218	Grace McMillian Ethan Tucker	1	2.2	2.2	0	2.2	0
53	32273	Mark Junior Tucker Grier	1	1.94	1.94	0	1.94	0
54	32667	Johnny Jones Tommy Riggs	1	1.63	1.63	0	1.63	0
55	36092	Matt Hall Callie Hall	1	1.56	1.56	0	1.56	0
56	35825	Robbie Moore Clay Moore	1	1.23	1.23	0	1.23	0
57	34363	Jayce Payne Jaxon Payne	1	1.31	1.31	0.25	1.06	0
58	31476	Brad Burdette Titus Burdette	1	1.03	1.03	0	1.03	0
59	36265	Brian Nelson Austin Nelson	0	0	0	0	0	0
60	34425	Brandon Miller Ryan Miller	0	0	0	0	0	0
61	34406	Paul Miller Isaac Miller	0	0	0	0	0	0
62	34405	Charles Moden Daniel Miller	0	0	0	0	0	0
63	32522	Joel Gunter Gabriel Sepolveda	0	0	0	0	0	0
64	36308	William Boles Will Plunkett	0	0	0	0	0	0
65	36322	Ronnie Torrance Rhett Richardson	0	0	0	0	0	0
66	27660	Craig Bellew Levi Bellew	0	0	0	0	0	0
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