BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. will continue its season next week, March 31-April 2 in Byrdstown, Tennessee, with the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. at Dale Hollow Lake . Hosted by the Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce, the three-day tournament will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $65,000, plus an additional $35,000 bonus if the winner is a qualified Phoenix Boat owner. The tournament is the second of three events in the Toyota Series Central Division presented by Neat Companies.
“We had a lot of rain early on that brought the water level up and put some color back in the water, so Dale Hollow was fishing really good in early March,” said Toyota Series angler Adam Wagner of Cookeville Tennessee, who has three career victories on Dale Hollow Lake in MLF competition. “However, since then, it’s dropped back down and a cold front came through this past weekend, making the fishing a little more difficult.”
Despite the angst to get to the bank and target spawning bass, Wagner said he believes it will still be a bit too early for that at this event on Dale Hollow.
“I think the majority of the fishing is still going to be pre-spawn,” Wagner said. “There’s a possibility that there will be a wave of fish moving up next week to spawn, but I think we are still about a week too early for that. Next week is a toss-up, though. It could go both ways.
“I’m hoping the fish will pull up a bit before the tournament begins,” Wagner continued. “I’m also excited for the chance to fish for this kind of money only 40 minutes from home – that’s an amazing opportunity.”
Wagner predicted it will take a solid 17 pounds per day to win the event, with a three-day total pushing up to 51 pounds.
“I expect to see jerkbaits, Alabama rigs and spinnerbaits play big at this event – I think those are going to be a lot of guys go-to baits.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Sunset Marina and Resort in Monroe, Tennessee. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 3 p.m. daily. Attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
