In the thrilling world of bass fishing, the Columbia PFG College Fishing Presented by Abu Garcia circuit is a dependable battle royale, offering a three-day championship-level tournament. The 2026 College Fishing National Championship on Lake Murray has been a nail-biter, with five of the last seven trophies decided by a mere pound and a half, and three by just an ounce. After the second day's weigh-in, the LSU-Shreveport duo of Levi Thibodaux and Miles Smith took the lead with a two-day total of 48-2, showcasing their adaptability and skill. Matthew Dettling and Cody Domingos from the University of Tennessee jumped from ninth to second, closely followed by Matthew Knopp and Logan Russell of Lander University, and the Carson-Newman University team of Zach Wolfe and Brayden Druckman. The top five teams, including James Dubose and Dylan Milam of Montevallo University, are now within a 2-1 lead of the top spot. Defending national champs Peyton Sorrow and Brody Robison of Montevallo finished Day 2 with 46-11, ensuring six teams will head onto Lake Murray on Saturday within 2-1 of the lead. Thibodaux and Smith, both raised in the shallow waters of southeast Louisiana, caught the majority of their key fish early in the day, but they connected with a couple of slightly heavier 4-pounders later in the day to push them 1 ounce shy of the 22-pound mark. With a half-dozen teams within 2 1/2 pounds of the lead, the final day promises to be a thrilling battle. Thibodaux and Smith will be looking to hold serve and possibly split the difference between their Day 1 and Day 2 weights. With big ones in the lake, they know what's possible. The top 10 teams are led by Thibodaux and Smith, followed by Dettling and Domingos, Knopp and Russell, Wolfe and Druckman, and Dubose and Milam. The defending champs, Sorrow and Robison, are also in the mix. The battle for the championship is on, and the excitement is palpable.
