Major League Fishing Returns To Dale Hollow Lake

The Major League Fishing Toyota Series will be coming to Dale Hollow Lake Wednesday for a three-day tournament.

Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce Director Billy Robbins said they are anticipating the event to bring in about $750,000 to the local economy.

“We’ve been lucky enough to pick them up for the second year,” Robbins said. “We are real excited about it. They already told us they have 210 boaters signed up. That is 420 people plus the crew. So, it is going to have a major impact on our area for nearly a full week.”

Robbins said some pro fishers have already arrived to the area and are testing the waters. Robbins said this year’s tournament is already double the participation compared to last year.

“Our first event was supposed to be last spring, but it got delayed for COVID,” Robbins said. “We had it in the fall, and it was a very low turnout. We had about 100 boaters last fall, October.”

Winners are determined by the heaviest cumulative weight over the three days. The top prize is worth up to $65,000. Residents are welcome to come to attend the daily boat launches and fish weigh-ins at Sunset Marina. Take offs begin at 7:00 a.m. and weigh-ins at 3:00 p.m.

“Our main support here is to help with parking and get into the event and launch,” Robbins said. “The tournament director slides them out in flights depending on the size of the field. They will slide out groups, and then when it comes to the afternoon, it is turn on time. They will do two days of that where they are all competing, and then on the third day, the top 10 go out only.”

Robbins said a third tournament is included in the contract.