This weekend, the Association of Collegiate Anglers will begin the 2025-26 season for the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The first event of this new season will be the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, a two-day big bass format event taking place on September 20-21 at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN.
On Day 2 of tournament competition, anglers are permitted to use only Berkley baits. In this article, we will highlight various Berkley baits for fall fishing success at Kentucky Lake.
When many anglers think of fall fishing, the first thing that comes to mind are topwater baits. With cooling temperatures, calm mornings, and active baitfish…it’s hard to beat working a topwater lure along the surface of the water and seeing a bass explode. Berkley offers an extensive lineup of topwater lures for anglers to add to their arsenal. The list includes the Choppo, Bullet Pop, Cane Walker, J-Walker, and Drift Walker. Each of these baits create a unique action and sound to trigger bites. Based upon the cover you’re targeting and conditions for that given day, there’s a good chance you can find success with one of the many topwater lures offered by Berkley.
Moving baits, including crankbaits, jerkbaits, and more, will also be popular choices to target Kentucky Lake bass feeding on baitfish and shad. Berkley’s lineup of hardbaits is comprised of proven fish catching lures. Baits to check out would be the Stunna, Frittside, Dredger, Krej, Warpig, and Magic Swimmer…among others. From jerkbaits to medium and shallow diving crankbaits, as well as swimbaits, Berkley has an offering to fit your needs. Each of these will allow anglers to target bass chasing bait all across Kentucky Lake, from the main river bars to the backs of creeks.
Soft plastic swimbaits will also be key players during the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley. The name of the game that week will be to get one big bite to take home the title, and a bait that could be very valuable in this scenario is a large swimbait. Berkley has several different offerings to fit the bill, including The Champ Swimmer, Power Swimmer, CullShad, and Nessie. Each of these swimbaits are available in different sizes, some up to 9 inches in length. Whether you choose to downsize and get great quantities of bites or go big or go home by fishing for one quality bite with a larger profile lure, Berkley has a swimbait to offer.
Lastly, we take a look at soft plastics. Whether you’re flipping shallow cover, offshore dragging a worm, or targeting fish with finesse presentations…there is a Berkly soft plastic that’s ready for the job. The Berkley lineup of soft plastics includes The General, Power Worm, Flat Worm, Pit Boss, Creature Hawg, and more. During the fall at Kentucky Lake, bass will be spread out across a variety of areas and cover. This includes offshore, along main lake points, and even up shallow. Each of these areas will require different techniques and presentations to get bites. Be prepared with an array of Berkley soft plastics so that you have the baits you need to catch the winning fish!
Berkley has been a supporter of college fishing for many years, and this particular event is an angler favorite on the schedule each season. The ACA would like to thank Berkley for their continued support.
At the mandatory angler meeting on Friday night, anglers will have the opportunity to receive free product from Berkley. Berkley baits will also be integrated into the prize payouts throughout the weekend.
To shop Berkley baits, visit your local Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s or click this link.