2025 Press Release National Crappie League Heads to Clarks Hill Lake

National Crappie League Heads to Clarks Hill Lake

The National Crappie League (NCL) heads to Clarks Hill in Thomson, Georgia, for a Two-Day Wild Card Tournament on February 21-22, 2025. Competitors will fish for cash, prizes, and an opportunity to qualify for the NCL National Championship.

Paybacks will be 100% or more guaranteed. This is a two-day tournament with NCL contributing $25.00 per boat. Big Fish will be split 70/30.

You are eligible to enter an Amateur Division Tournament if you have NOT earned $5,000.00 per individual or $10,000.00 per team in the previous two (2) years with any major recognized trails (such as Crappie Masters, Crappie USA, Midwest Crappie Alliance, Crappie Elite, or Crappie Expo). You may NOT enter an Amateur Division event if you are a fishing guide. A fishing guide is anyone who has derived income from taking people fishing on a part-time or full-time basis in the last two (2) years. This will be a one-day tournament for Amateur Anglers, happening on February 22, 2025.

Semi-Pro Division Tournaments are open to all anglers/teams, regardless of previous earnings/placement. This will be a two-day tournament for Semi-Pro Anglers happening February 21 and 22, 2025.

Area Conditions:
Crappie fishing at Clarks Hill Lake is currently fair, though not as productive as during the fall. Anglers are catching crappie around brush piles situated 15-18 feet deep in water approximately 30 feet deep, with minnows being the bait of choice. While some crappie remain on the structure, a significant portion is beginning to roam open waters, which can make them more challenging to catch. The upper third of the lake is proving to be the most productive area for fishing right now.

Semi-Pro Registration and Tournament Meeting:
A meeting will be held the evening before the tournament, February 20, 2025, at Thomson Depot 111 Rail Rd St, Thomson, GA 30824. Registration is 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm. The meeting is at 6:00 pm.

Amateur Division Registration and Tournament Meeting:
A meeting will be held the evening before the tournament, February 21, 2025, at Raysville Marina 6584 Lincolnton Hwy. Thomson GA 30824. Registration is 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm. The meeting is at 6:00 pm.

Visit www.NationalCrappieLeague.com for rules and registration. For questions, contact sgraham@nationalcrappieleague.com

Fishable Waters, Off-Limits, and Fishing Hours:
All legal waters on Clarks Hill Lake may be fished. Off-limits is 4:00 pm on the day of the pre-tournament meeting. Fishing hours are 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Weigh-In Site:
Weigh-in will be at Raysville Marina 6584 Lincolnton Hwy. Thomson GA 30824. Contestants must be in the weigh-in line by 4:00 pm.

Free Kids Rodeo:
A free Kids Rodeo will be held on February 22, 2025, at McDuffie County Campground 5258 Washington Road Thomson, GA 30824. Registration is from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. Fishing is from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. This is for kids 12 and under, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bring your pole and bait. Enjoy the fun and prizes.

Bank and Dock Crappie Fishing Tournament:
Join us for the Bank and Dock Crappie Fishing Tournament! The entry fee is $50 per participant, with a 100% payout. Prizes will be awarded to one person for every 5 entries. Contestants can weigh in up to 5 live fish. Fishing hours are from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and participants must be in the weigh-in line by 12:30 PM.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

Host:
Thomson-McDuffie CVB

Host Lodging:
Hampton Inn: 706-595-5300

Local Sponsors:
Emma’s Breakfast Cafe, Bordeaux Steak & Seafood, McDuffie Co. Campground, Hogie Joe’s Sports Grill, and Raysville Marina.

National Sponsors:
Happy Hollow Outdoors, DMF Bait Co., BUBBA, Power-Pole, Purpose Built Optics, Redneck Adventures TV, Engel Coolers, Everharts Outdoors, Team Crappie, Gamma Fishing, Amped Outdoors Lithium, O’Reilly Auto Parts, MotorMate, B’n’M Fishing, Charlie Brewer’s Slider Co., Nothead Tackle, Rambler Angler and Blade Co., Connect-Ease, HiTec Outdoors, Performance Fishing and Electronics, Black Speck Fishing, ATX Lure Company, Li’L Tuffy Swim Bait, Spotless Boat LLC, Crappie Magnet, CrappieNOW, Crappie.com, Zebco, Millennium Marine, Lowe Boats, Mercury Motors, RIG RAP, Flambeau, Hook and Tackle, Ego Nets, Yeti Coolers, Tiny’s Hand Tied Jigs, and Slabz Crappie Rods.

Wild Card Tournaments, 2025:
March 7-8 – Eufaula Lake, Eufaula, OK
April 12 – Kentucky Lake, Camden, TN
April 26 – East Fork Lake, OH (Clermont CO)
May 2-3 – Lake Carlyle, Carlyle, IL
May 17 – Salamonie Lake, Mississinewa, IN
June 6-7 – Green River, Columbia, KY
June 13-14 – Leech Lake, Minnesota
August 8-9 – Truman Lake, Clinton, MO
September 12-13 – Cross Lake & Red River, Shreveport, LA
October 3-4 – Lake Murray, Columbia, SC
October 10-11 – Grenada Lake, Grenada, MS
October 18 – Lake of the Ozarks, Laurie, MO

Trolling Tournament:
June 21 – Sardis Lake, MS

Special Events:
February 28 – March 1 – Writers Camp & Big Mama Tournament, Washington Lake, Chatham, MS

National Championship & Expo 2024:
March 27-29 – Sardis Lake, MS (Expo on March 28-30)

National Championship & Expo 2025:
March 25-27, 2026 – Lake Cumberland, Somerset, KY (Expo on March 26-28)