Fantasy Fishing: The wild card event

Written by

Solomon Glenn

If you were to look at the Elite schedule and circle the one with the most unknowns, the Pasquotank River would most likely be the one. Bassmaster hasn’t been to North Carolina’s Ambemarle Sound for 44 years, and you can bet that it has changed in that time.

The playing field for this event is massive, which can spread anglers out, but as we’ve seen in similar places such as the Sabine River, several anglers can stack up in a tight zone. From what I’ve seen, the Pasquotank River seems similar to nearby places of the James River, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and Santee Cooper, but it has also been described as the Sabine River with giants. The other interesting thing is that even with its near proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, it is not greatly affected by tides.

So, when going with picks, I’m thinking about guys who thrive in grinding out big ones because there is no doubt we will see some. The weather is predicted to cool off during the event, so I’m not feeling a full-on spawn event, but there should be fish in all stages. I’m very interested to see how the Elite guys break down this unique fishery.

Enough speculating, I’m sure we are in for some surprises, but they will catch them. Let’s get into some picks.

BUCKET A: CHRISTIE

When I think about the potential for big fish being in shallow cover, I immediately think Jason Christie. With the weather cooling and its location being a little further north, I’m betting on the bite leaning pre-spawn. Also, long runs and time management are things Christie is well accustomed too. I personally think he is due for a chance to win on the Elites.

Solid secondary pick: Beau Browning can catch them at all kinds of places but excels when fish are in the dirt and has done very well on river systems. Especially with almost everyone seeing the Pasquotank for the first time, I could see Browning make a move.

BUCKET B: SHRYOCK

With shallow cover and shallow wood in play, I’m hoping to see some flipping. Hunter Shryock can hold his own in shallow power fishing and is hot off a Top 5 in the Classic. His last visit to the Sabine ended in a 6th-place finish, so hopefully he will find the similarities that we mentioned. Shryock has also made both regular-season cuts this year so look for him to ride this momentum.

Solid secondary pick: Another guy that knows his way around shallow fishing and river systems is Seth Feider. I keep waiting for that breakout since his AOY year in 2021 and it will happen at some point. His experience navigating the Mississippi River could give him an edge at dialing in this new playing field.

BUCKET C: WILLIAMS

Tyler Williams is kind of a shot in the dark here, but maybe that’s what I need for this kind of fishery. He has struggled in the past at places like the James River, but the Pasquotank is a different place. I would think he would have experience on this type of water being from Maine and living not too far away. Maybe there are a few bigs looking to eat a jig next week.

Solid secondary pick: For some reason, bucket C was tricky for me. But my second choice has to be Louisiana angler Tyler Rivet. He is a very versatile angler, and I could see there being some crossover from Louisianna fisheries.

BUCKET D: BLAYLOCK

Stetson Blaylock is a great angler, especially in fisheries like the Pasquotank, and is very good at adapting to changes. He is generally very consistent on a wide variety of places, at least when I don’t pick him. His one Elite win came from Winyah Bay in 2019, which is a similar tributary fishery. If he can locate them, he will be able to catch them with his versatility.

Solid Secondary Pick: Something about this place just screams Drew Benton. I don’t think it’s going to be a sight fishing event this go around, but if fish are moving up, Benton has a shot. He’s had a slower start to 2025 but it’s time he turns it around.

BUCKET E: FOTHERGILL

I think Easton Fothergill surprised everyone by his first two Elite finishes but I think whatever jitters he may have had are gone after what he did at the Classic. He’s not a guy who will be in Bucket E for very long. With not a ton of information out there on the Pasquotank, I feel like Easton could find some sneaky, off-the-wall stuff and come up with a solid finish. He also got 5th on the James River a couple of years ago in a Strike King Bassmaster College Series.

Solid Secondary Pick: Greg Hackney might be the most obvious pick for a shallow, pre-spawn shoot out. I know I’d love to see some fireworks from the Hack Attack