Elite pro Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., has fished Lake Murray many times, and he said next week's event will bring some big fish.

"It's going to be a topwater slugfest," Ashley said. "The herring will be running. It'll be a lot like Clarks Hill, it'll be postspawn and the fish will be up in the flats. A lot of topwater action ... that's all you can do. Maybe throw in a jig now and then."

Last week, Ashley finished fifth in the Pride of Georgia presented by Evan Williams Bourbon. Since he thinks Murray will fish similarly to Clarks Hill, the South Carolinian hopes the upcoming event in his home state will deliver a second straight top-five finish, and maybe victory.

"I sure hope so," Ashley said. Read More

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Casey Ashley has been named the newest member of the Lucky Craft pro staff. The 24-year-old South Carolinian has been hooked up with Lucky Craft since early April, but the official announcement just dropped today. He joins Skeet Reese, Takahiro Omori, Gerald Swindle, Kelly Jordon and Marty Stone as part of the Lucky Craft national team.

"I'm very excited about this sponsorship," Ashley said. "This is big for me. Lucky Craft is one of the top names in the fishing industry, and I'm honored to be a part of the team - especially because of the big names who are already a part it."

About the new addition, Lucky Craft President Minoru Segawa said: "I am very excited about Ashley's decision to join the Lucky Craft pro staff. I am looking forward to watching him grow as a person and an angler, and I can't wait to see what 2008 brings."

> Ashley's off to a solid start in the 2008 Elite Series. He stubbed his with a 107 finish at Amistad, but he's finished no less than 28th in the other four events. He also scored a 17th-place finish in the Bassmaster Classic. Read More

The 23-year-old rookie Elite Series angler was on the verge of a giant career leap — maybe. He carried a 4 ½-pound lead into the final day of the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts, the sixth event of his rookie season. But he had only four fish in his bag, one short of a limit.

Would it be enough? He'd have to wait, being the last angler to weigh in.

He looked around at the other finalists: Boyd Duckett and Takahiro Omori, both Bassmaster Classic champions; Dean Rojas, a former BASS record holder; Skeet Reese, the current Angler of the Year points leader; and Dave Wolak, the 2005 Rookie of the Year among the backstage crew.

"Look around," Ashley said. "I feel awesome, no matter if I win or lose. Why wouldn't I feel great? I'm sitting back here with the best fishermen in the world." Read More