Mixed Bags, Big Numbers Expected At Dale Hollow

By MLF Communications Staff

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. – The MLF Bass Pro Tour is set to visit Dale Hollow Lake this week for the third event of the 2024 season. Competition days are Tuesday through Sunday

The six-day tournament will feature a field of 79 professional anglers competing for a purse of $659,000, including a top payout of $100,000.

Spring City, Tenn. pro Wesley Strader said he’s fished Dale Hollow his entire life, and it’s one of the “hidden gems” in the state of Tennessee.

“Dale Hollow is noted for its world-class smallmouth fishing,” said Strader. “But about 15 years ago some really good largemouth started setting in as well, so we can expect to see a lot of mixed bags of smallmouth and largemouth in this event.

“It’s been one of the best lakes in Tennessee for the past several years, as far as catching a lot of bass, and heavy weights,” Strader continued. “The largemouth are what has impressed me the last few years. Guys have been catching over 20-pound-bags of largemouth in the spring and in the fall.”

Strader said he expects to see some bass trying to come up to spawn during the event, but figures there will be a lot still waiting and in transition.

“It’s kind of a question as to how this thing is going to be won,” said Strader. “I’m not sure if ‘scoping will come into play or not, but it should be a really good tournament.

“I expect to see a lot of topwater baits, swimbaits, trick worms, drop-shot rigs and typical smallmouth baits, as well as shaky-heads and jigs to target largemouth – just your typical springtime players.”

Strader said he feels the event can be won anywhere on the fishery.

“Some sections may turn on more quickly than others, but it can definitely be won anywhere on the lake,” Strader explained. “I’ve never fished all you can catch there, so it’s hard to say how many fish can actually be brought in per day.

“I know (Matt) Becker won a BFL tournament there with over 22 pounds, and 50th place was 17 pounds in a five-bass-limit event, so the weights should be pretty heavy. I’m going to guess it will take a solid 50 pounds to make it through to the next round.”

Although the fishery has hosted numerous MLF tournaments over the years, this event will mark the first time that the BPT has visited Dale Hollow. The tournament will feature the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the ScoreTracker leaderboard.

“I’m really excited to see this format go to a lake like this,” said Strader. “With the slot limit for smallmouth, this is a unique event. Typically, smallmouth would be out of play due to the slot limit, but with this format, and the 2-pound minimum for scoreable bass, the smallmouth will definitely be in play.”

Anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. CT each day from Sunset Marina and Resort, located at 2040 Sunset Dock Road in Monroe. Each day’s takeout will be held at the park beginning at 4 p.m.

The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday and Thursday, with the 39 anglers in Group B on the water Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the anglers who finish first through 10th from each group advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round.

In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 20 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are again zeroed and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on the final four days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW! will be livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

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