Bailey Gay Claims His First NPFL Victory at Lake Murray
A Breakthrough Performance on Lake Murray
Kentucky angler Bailey Gay celebrated his inaugural NPFL win at Stop Six on Lake Murray, finishing with an impressive two-day total weight of 39 pounds, 15 ounces. Despite challenging conditions during practice, Gay demonstrated remarkable consistency, hauling in 18 pounds, 12 ounces on Day One and an even more impressive 21 pounds, 3 ounces on Finale Friday. His stellar performance secured victory by a margin of 2 pounds, 7 ounces.
Overcoming Tough Practice Conditions
Gay faced a difficult practice session, with fewer bites as the week progressed. However, he focused on the lower end of the lake, which proved to be a game-changing decision.
“I did not expect to do well after my practice, but I knew I was alone down there and just went to work,” Gay explained. “There were big fish around, and I was able to find quality ones using the grass edges. I relied heavily on forward-facing sonar and kept a bait above the grass on a dropshot rig.”
Strategic Adjustments Led to Victory
On Day One, most of Gay’s fish came from grass. However, a late-afternoon discovery on main lake points near the dam proved pivotal.
“This morning, it was really slow,” Gay noted. “I had one three-pounder and decided to make a change and go for the win fishing on the points. I fished every point inside the dam and took my time locating single bass.”
Fishing in depths around 35 feet, Gay used his dropshot expertise to identify and catch bass tight to the bottom, upgrading steadily throughout the day. His efforts culminated in an emotional win.
“I just can’t believe it,” Gay said after the weigh-in. “It was my first time with a camera in the boat, and I got to put on a show. I’ve been chasing one of those cool trophies all year, and this was the perfect way to end the season. God is good. Big thanks to Wieda’s Marine for working after hours to keep my boat running all year.”
Brock Bila Secures Runner-Up Finish
Consistency on Lake Murray
Missouri angler and Bait Wrx pro Brock Bila achieved a second-place finish with a two-day total of 37 pounds, 8 ounces. Bila kicked off strong with a 19-pound, 9-ounce bag on Day One and followed it with 17 pounds, 15 ounces on the final day.
Dialing in Suspended Bass
Bila’s strategy mirrored his approach to waters back home in the Ozarks. During practice, he identified key areas in the midsection of the lake where bass were suspended over deep water. Adapting to changing conditions, Bila targeted fish that floated closer to the surface during the event.
“I found those fish suspended between 30 and 50 feet, but throughout the off day and Day One of the tournament, they floated up near the surface,” Bila explained. “I had to change my approach and target them with the minnow.”
Using Miller Tech Lithium Batteries from Wholesale Batteries, Bila moved efficiently between areas, focusing on active groups near creek mouths and baitfish schools.
“Herring lakes have always been semi-difficult for me, so ending the season on a good note feels really good,” Bila said. His strong season also earned him a spot in the 2025 NPFL Championship and the NPFL Bass Cat Boats contingency award.
Patrick Walters’ Third-Place Finish
Steady in South Carolina
South Carolina angler Patrick Walters stayed consistent in his home state, finishing third with a total weight of 35 pounds, 9 ounces. Walters weighed 17 pounds, 11 ounces on Day One and 17 pounds, 14 ounces on Day Two.
A Slow and Methodical Approach
Departing from his usual aggressive style, Walters targeted isolated cover and structure using a small football jig.
“Practice was tough for me overall, but I’ve fished Murray in December a handful of times and knew where I wanted to be,” Walters shared. “I went against my typical style and targeted rocks, brush, and stumps. It was painfully slow for me.”
Kyle Welcher Captures Angler of the Year
A Tight AOY Race
Kyle Welcher overcame a four-point deficit to win the Progressive Angler of the Year (AOY) Golden Shield with a two-day total weight of 35 pounds. His adaptability and focus on suspended fish secured a fourth-place finish at Lake Murray and his first AOY title.
“It feels incredible to win AOY—it’s a huge relief,” Welcher said. “This title means more to me than any individual tournament victory.”
Welcher used forward-facing sonar and a Crush City Mooch Minnow paired with Sunline Shooter fluorocarbon to target bass effectively, demonstrating his winter fishing expertise.
Power Pole Big Bass Award
Matt Massey’s 8-Pound Lunker
Florida angler Matt Massey claimed the Power-Pole Big Bass Award with an 8-pound, 3-ounce catch on Day One. Massey’s two-day total of 34 pounds, 12 ounces secured a top-ten finish.
Lake Murray Top Ten Finishers
- Bailey Gay – 39-15
- Brock Bila – 37-8
- Patrick Walters – 35-9
- Kyle Welcher – 35-0
- Matt Massey – 34-12
- Zack Birge – 34-10
- Dustin Williamson – 34-2
- Louis Fernandes – 33-5
- Michael Stout – 33-0
- Justin Kimmel – 32-10
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