Scroggins Eyes REDCREST Qualification at Saginaw Bay
Terry “Big Show” Scroggins, the gregarious Florida native and Team Toyota pro, is gearing up for a pivotal week at Toyota Stage 7 of the Bass Pro Tour presented by Ranger Boats on Saginaw Bay. With crucial Angler of the Year points on the line, Scroggins is on a mission to secure his spot in REDCREST 2026.
For a veteran angler whose career has spanned two decades, this tournament feels like a homecoming, despite being roughly 1,200 miles from his Florida roots. Saginaw Bay’s grass-filled shallow waters mirror the Florida fisheries Scroggins has long mastered, setting the stage for a potential “Big Show” performance.
“This place is slap-full of largemouth bass; the population is just outstanding,” Scroggins said. “In this every-fish-counts format, I think most anglers will target them because of the sheer quantity that lives here.”
Saginaw Bay, a sprawling arm of Lake Huron, is a fishery that has quickly earned its status among anglers. Its vast expanse—over 1,100 square miles—hosts a robust largemouth population nestled in dense vegetation, reminiscent of Florida’s famed Lake Okeechobee. Scroggins, a shallow-water specialist with a knack for dissecting grass, sees this as his kind of playground.
“This fishery really reminds me of Okeechobee, which may sound strange but it’s the truth,” he said. “The biggest difference, however, is that this place has a bunch of really big rocks in it which is kinda scary. It can get a little sketchy because these big boulders are right under the surface now due to the low water. So, we’re all going to have to be extra careful when running from spot to spot.”
The low water levels, currently several feet below normal, add a layer of complexity to the tournament. The reduced depth has pulled some of the bay’s abundant grass—eel grass, pepper grass and patches of milfoil—out of play, making the largemouth bite “a bit more finicky,” according to Scroggins.
His strategy? Focus on isolated cover that concentrates fish.
“The water is low right now which does make the largemouth bite a little tougher,” he explained. “They love to live in all the grass and reeds here, but the low water takes some of that out of the equation. So I’m looking for isolated areas that will concentrate them a bit more.”
Scroggins’ approach aligns perfectly with his Florida-honed skill set. Known for his prowess in shallow, vegetation-heavy environments, he’s built an outstanding career on flipping, chatter baiting, punching and frogging through thick cover. Scroggins has proven he can “hit a lick” when conditions suit his style.
“I’ve been seeing quite a bit of eel grass, pepper grass and a little milfoil mixed in,” Scroggins noted. “I doubt I’ll fish over three feet deep. That’s right up my alley, so I’m looking forward to a really fun tournament. It’s a special fishery because the smallmouth here are big but not as plentiful, so I don’t think you’ll see them targeted as much.”
For Scroggins, the stakes are high. Sitting near the REDCREST qualification line, a strong finish is critical to punching his ticket to the 2026 championship. His practice sessions have been promising, with a focus on covering water to eliminate unproductive areas.
“I need to have a good one here to qualify for REDCREST and I had a pretty good practice,” he said. “I’m covering a whole bunch of water, trying to eliminate as much dead water as possible.”
Scroggins’ game plan is classic “Big Show”: keep the trolling motor down, work through shallow grass beds and throw a variety of baits to trigger bites. He’s likely to lean on techniques like flipping soft plastics, throwing vibrating jigs or buzzing a frog across matted vegetation—tactics that have served him well in Florida fisheries like the St. Johns River and the Kissimmee Chain over the years. His ability to read grass and adapt to changing conditions, honed over decades of fishing Florida’s diverse waters, could give him an edge in Saginaw Bay’s challenging environment.
The low water and hazardous rocks add a navigational challenge, but Scroggins is no stranger to sketchy conditions. His resilience is legendary, whether it’s battling cold fronts, mechanical issues or the unpredictable nature of bass.
Beyond the competition, Scroggins embodies the sacred camaraderie of professional fishing. Known for helping competitors with mechanical issues or sharing a batch of pizzas with the service crew, he’s a fan favorite who brings a bit of Southern hospitality to every event. His love for the sport extends off the water, where he enjoys grilling, meticulously tinkering with custom baits and blasting old-school country music.
As Saginaw Bay hosts its second Bass Pro Tour event, fans can expect an electric atmosphere. For Scroggins, though, the focus is singular: catch enough largemouth to climb the leaderboard and secure his REDCREST spot.
As he navigates the grass, dodges those pesky boulders and chases the bite, Scroggins is poised to remind everyone why they call him “Big Show.” With the right breaks and a few solid bites, Saginaw Bay could be the stage for his next big moment.
