Now that the Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 Presented by MillerTech is underway, Lake Guntersville is primed as the playing field for 50 seasoned anglers looking to leave Alabama as a REDCREST champion. Among the names to watch is Terry Scroggins, a Team Toyota pro known for his uncanny ability to thrive in shallow, grass-filled environments. With a career built on consistent performances, especially in challenging tournament conditions, Scroggins is more than ready to face the challenges presented by REDCREST.
Tough conditions ahead: Scroggins' mindset for REDCREST
While the weather and water conditions can change quickly, Scroggins is already eyeing what could be a unique set of challenges at REDCREST.
"I like the tougher tournaments usually but this is going to be a slugfest," Scroggins said. "It will take 40 or 50 pounds a day to make the Knockout round. I think everyone is going to catch ‘em pretty well."
But even with favorable expectations, Scroggins understands the nuances of the competition, particularly when it comes to the format.
"It looks good on paper in a 5-fish format and takes 20 pounds to get a check, but when every fish counts, it’s a totally different mindset," Scroggins said. “When you come here, you can get 7 or 8 bites and have a big bag but you’re going to have to catch 15-20 fish a day to be competitive in this format and that’s tough to do, even on Guntersville.”
Indeed, REDCREST’s format is designed to make anglers focus on every bite. In such a scenario, Scroggins is accustomed to making the most out of his opportunities.
Grass and shallow waters: Scroggins’ domain
As one of the best shallow-water specialists in the game, Scroggins’ greatest strength lies in his understanding of grass fishing. He thrives in situations where bass are nestled among thick vegetation and with the springtime spawn just around the corner, these areas are key for success.
"I do have some prespawn stuff I’ve figured out fishing grass," Scroggins said. ”They have so much cover to get in, they don’t have to go far. There is so much eelgrass here nowadays that is kinda has them spread out."
For Scroggins, the key is understanding the movements and habits of bass during the transition between prespawn and the actual spawn. The shallows are prime real estate for these fish and with the right combination of knowledge and patience, Scroggins is hopeful Guntersville will kick out fireworks for REDCREST. However, the fishing pressure will play a major factor in how he approaches this tournament.
“I'm thinking there was over 1,000 tournament boats on this lake during practice," Scroggins said. "The fish are trying to spawn a bit but it has been so busy."
The increased boat traffic can stir up the water and disturb key areas where bass may be trying to bed, which could complicate the process of catching scoreable bass.
Still, Scroggins remains undaunted. He has long embraced the challenges of fishing under pressure and knows how to adapt when conditions become less than ideal.
Strategic adjustments for the toughest conditions
One of the most significant challenges Scroggins and his peers will face is the weather, which can be unpredictable during the spring months.
"Today the weather was so bad," Scroggins noted earlier this week, reflecting on the conditions during his recent practice sessions.
Despite these setbacks, he remains optimistic and focused on adapting to whatever the tournament throws his way. When asked about how he planned to tackle the competition today and throughout the event, Scroggins shared some insight into his approach.
"In this format, I’d rather be winding something to cover more water and generate more bites," Scroggins explained. “You can’t rest in this format. If you aren’t adding weight, you feel like you are falling behind. That makes fishing slow for spooky spawners tough to do.”
His strategy of using fast-moving lures to search wide swaths of water aligns with his style—moving quickly and efficiently through the grass to increase the chances of connecting with bass that will make a difference. As the tournament unfolds, expect this proven veteran to be a major player, making waves both in the shallow waters and on the leaderboard.
