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Largest Limits of Past Four Years – What Are the Bass Factories?

This weekend is the NWA NSKA Road Runner, historically an event that brings in some big limits and big fish. As usual we’re doing a Road Runner preview because it is a very unique event and covers many bodies of water.

There may be something surprising in the numbers though when you look back at the past four years and which lakes have produced the biggest winning limits. We took a look at some data and examined the top 15 limits in the past four seasons. Which lake produces the most big winner winner chicken dinner limits?

The Top 15

Below is a chart showing the top 15 one-day five fish limit totals from 2018-2022. It also shows the Lake, Event, Angler and what month it took place. What do we see in this chart?

First of all, there are a few surprises in here to me. Extremely fickle Lincoln Lake has burned angler after angler on road runner day, but in 2018 Rance Richardson caught a massive 102.75″ limit on that date. The next largest one day limit of the past three years was on a lake that was not publicly identified – so no help there… Beyond that, it’s not surprising to see Siloam Springs make some appearances, but the shocking development is that Beaver Lake is on this list THREE times! Yes, the Dead Sea, Beaver Lake has produced three of the biggest winning bags in the last three years. Same for Table Rock lake which has surpassed the 88″ mark multiple times.

My 22″ from the 2020 March Road Runner from the Elk River.

Some Historical Context

A few additional pieces of history for context around this subject. As I did some research, Road Runners is the one event type where the limit totals have not skyrocketed in the past couple of years. Most other events are taking bigger and bigger limits to win, but Road Runners have actually had huge totals consistently each of the past four seasons. Speaking of Siloam City Lake…it has been pretty amazing. It has accounted for the winning total in five of the past six pure road runners. Don’t get too excited though – unless your name is Dwain Batey this may not help you much – that lake is a tough nut to crack. And this can’t hold up again, right? Table Rock has been a smash fest every time since NSKA began going there in 2021 and may be the safest bet for a decent bag and the right bite can win it. Elmdale and Lincoln are tantalizing options that have the fish that can win but have been very inconsistent.

What does it all mean?

This tells us a few things:

  1. If you want to win, there are certain lakes not on this list you better be wary of.
  2. Several lakes can give you a shot to win – Siloam City Lake, Beaver Lake, Lincoln and Table Rock are all in bounds and have produced giant limits at least once. (as has Lake X, but shhh)
  3. It’s going to take 91+ to win. The last five pure Road Runners in NWA have been won with at least 91.5″ and four at 93″ or more.
  4. Finally, no individual angler dominates this top 15 list. A few have multiple listings, but nobody has more than three. It’s anybody’s ballgame – don’t think otherwise!

Have Fun, Go Fishing

Everyone have a good time this weekend. As much as I hate road runners, it is a chance to spend the day fishing where you want to and fishing how you want to. That’s a great day. Have fun, be safe and swing for the fences!