2025 Bassmaster Elite Series: St. Johns River Conditions, Schedule & Updates

Bassmaster Elite Series 2025: St. Johns River Tournament Overview

The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series is about to get started on the legendary St. Johns River in Northern Florida. From February 20th to the 23rd, the Bassmaster’s top level pros will all be battling for their chance to take home a big, blue trophy and the $100,000 first prize.

Where to Watch the Bassmaster Elite Series

Watch Live: Bassmaster LIVE
Realtime Unofficial Weights: BASSTrakk
LIVE Daily Weigh In: Weigh In Show
T.V. Coverage on FOX/FS1: Broadcast Schedule Here

The event takes off from Palatka City Dock & Boat Ramp at 7:00 a.m. each morning and weigh-ins start at 3:00 p.m. every afternoon at Palatka Riverfront Park. Plus, there will be a free, family-friendly, bass fishing expo on the weekend in conjunction with Palatka’s Azalea Festival which includes kids activities, food trucks, beer tents and live music.

Bassmaster Elite Pro, Cory Johnston hooked up to a big St johns River largemouth bass. — Last year's winner on the St Johns River, Cory Johnston, ended the tournament with a four day total of 93 pounds, 6 ounces and a winning margin of 21-2 over second place, or the second largest in Elite history. | B.A.S.S.

St. Johns River Bass Fishing Conditions & Expert Predictions

Like many of the Elite tournament stops, the St. Johns River in February is a new puzzle to be solved every year, and it’s rarely the same solution as the last year. Rainfall dictates water levels and therefore the size and quality of the playing field.

According to Northern Florida native, and veteran Bassmaster pro, Bernie Schultz, “This year there’s an extra curve ball thrown at the Elite field—good old, dependable, Rodman Reservoir, the place with the most consistent grass and therefore consistent bass fishing, is off-limits for competition.”

“That leaves the main river, the backwaters and oxbows and several other lakes like George, Crescent, Dexter, Woodruff, and Little Lake George. While they all look good, they don’t all hold fish. And the few spots that do, are well known by this group of guys. With Rodman out of play, expect some pretty crowded fishing.”

“It’s been warm and dry for over a week, and the forecast shows more of the same through tournament time. There are definitely going to be a lot of fish on the bank, ready to spawn. But with the reduced playing field, again, it’s going to be crowded.”

Schultz mentioned he wouldn’t be surprised if the guy who wins it all, is the guy who finds something offshore, away from the masses—a staging area for either pre-or-postspawn fish—probably a shell bed.

With abundant shoreline cover, lots of guys will be flipping and pitching pads, wood and docks with jigs and/or plastics. But covering ground with horizontal presentations like a swimbait, vibrating jig or even a spinnerbait could prove just as effective and much more efficient.

aerial photo of a bass boat on a shallow clear water flat revealing bass spawning beds everywhere, looking like the moon — The 2024 Bassmaster Elite tournament on the St Johns River was very much influenced by spawning bass. Current conditions suggest the anglers may see that again in 2025. | Craig Lamb | B.A.S.S.

Day-by-Day Tournament Updates & Standings

Day 1: Jay Przekurat Shines in Florida Cold Front

An overhead view of a bass boat fishing on a shallow lake point dotted with largemouth bass spawning beds. — Jay Przekurat tops Day 1 of the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series at St. Johns River with 24-15. Learn how he tackled Florida’s cold front and what’s ahead for Day 2. | Craig Lamb | B.A.S.S.

Wisconsin’s Przekurat Leads Elite Series Opener with 24-15 Limit Despite Frigid Florida Temps...FULL STORY HERE.

Day 2: Lowen Has the Day Bass Anglers Dream Of

Bill Lowen fishing from his bass boat on the st johns river — Bill Lowen surged ahead with a 24-4 limit on Day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River. | Dalton Tumblin | B.A.S.S.

How Cold Weather Shook Up the Leaderboard & What to Expect on Semifinal Saturday...FULL STORY HERE.

Day 3: Lowen Holds Lead Despite Slower Day

Bill Lowen in his bass boat lifting a big bass he just landed with water spraying through the air. — Bill Lowen maintains his lead at the Bassmaster Elite on the St. Johns River despite cooling waters, while John Garrett climbs from 38th to 2nd with a massive 31-6 bag. | B.A.S.S. | Dalton Tumblin

Lowen battles cold water while John Garrett rockets up the leaderboard with a massive limit...FULL STORY HERE.

Championship Sunday: Lowen Holds Off Hard Charging Field for Second Elite Trophy

A montage of new Elite Champion Bill Lowen clebrating on stge with his trophy from the St Johns River — Bill Lowen has just enough to hold off a hard charging field, securing his second Bassmaster Elite victory. | B.A.S.S. | Andy Crawford

Battling cold fronts, tide shifts, fierce competition and rogue, traveling weed mats, Lowen hangs on to claim his second Elite Series title...FULL STORY HERE.

Top 5 Bass Baits for February in Florida: Best Lures from the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River

A close up of Bill Lowens hands holding up for the camera the two lures he credits with his victory at the St Johns River — Presenting the top-performing bass fishing lures from the 2025 Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River. See what helped Bill Lowen, Jay Przekurat, and Shane LeHew land big bass in cold Florida waters. | B.A.S.S. | Andy Crawford

Check out the top-producing bass lures used by the best anglers in the 2025 Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River, Florida...FULL STORY HERE.

New 2025 Bassmaster Rules: What’s Changed?

The competition itself comes with some interesting new rules for 2025 including limited electronics and zero entry fees, so everyone is eager to see how this will play out.

The tournament playing field includes the St. Johns River and all rivers, creeks and canals connecting to the St. Johns River with a Northern Boundary of the Fuller Warren Bridge (I-95) in Jacksonville, Florida and a Southern Boundary of Hwy 44 in DeLand, Florida. No locking is permitted.

The daily limit is 5 bass with a 12 inch minimum.

The full field will start competition on Days 1 and 2. On Day 3 the field will be cut to the top 50. Only the Top 10 after Day 3 will qualify to fish on the fourth and final day, Championship Sunday.

Reminder of the New Electronics Rules for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series

Like all the professional bass tours heading into 2025, Bassmaster competitors face some new rules regarding forward-facing sonar.

1. Total Screen Size
Boats are restricted to no more than 55 inches of screen size. Inches are measured per the (diagonal) display screen size listed on each manufacturer's website rounded to the nearest inch.

2. Limited Live Transducers
Each competitor’s boat is limited to one (1) live transducer and this transducer must be mounted on the trolling motor shaft at the bow area of the boat.

3. Electronics Placement
All electronics must be mounted in a way not to obstruct the competitor’s line of sight while piloting the boat on plane. It is recommended that console electronics be mounted in a manner where the tops of graphs are no higher than 26 inches from the steering column where it exits the console, and bow electronics be mounted in a manner where the tops of graphs are no higher than 18 inches from the front deck.