Yesterday’s episode of On the Dock with Rick Smith gave listeners a front-row seat to one of the most remarkable bass-fishing stories unfolding anywhere in America right now. Every year, a Texas lake steps into the spotlight, but 2026 has delivered something extraordinary. Lake J.B. Thomas, a modest reservoir tucked into the plains of West Texas, has exploded onto the national stage. So much so that Bassmaster.com named it the No. 1 bass lake in the Central Division this year .