BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. — Dale Hollow Lake is set for a Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine doubleheader weekend, hosting the Mountain Division on March 22 and the Music City Division on March 23. The two divisions will be hitting the lake at a great time for big bass, even with the muddier water from recent rains.
This year, BFL anglers benefit from an expanded slate of Regionals, which minimizes travel costs and provides more opportunities to qualify for the $120,000 BFL All-American while fishing familiar, closer-to-home waters. Click here to find out more.
What to expect
Dale Hollow is typically a very clear fishery, but recent storms have noticeably affected water clarity, according to Byrdstown local Blake Smith, who has earned nine Top 10s on the lake. Conditions are also in flux with the transition from winter to spring.
“It hasn’t been a normal year for us and has been a change of pace for all of us used to the ‘Scoping game,” he said. “The muddy water has changed that deal for us, the lake is blown up from the storms with a lot of debris and a lot of mud. It’s that dark red clay mud, which is going to cram everybody into small areas with better water clarity. You also have the warming water temperatures and longer days – things are changing fast.”
While March events could be dominated by forward-facing sonar under normal springtime conditions, the water clarity should open up more ways to catch fish on March 22-23.
“There’s a good possibility of someone winning shallow now,” Smith said. “I think it will be half the field going shallow, and there will be plenty of decent bags caught up there.”
Baits to bring
With the field likely divided between offshore fishing with forward-facing sonar and shallow power fishing, Smith sees the following baits as must-haves: jighead minnows and small swimbaits for ‘Scoping; black-and-blue flipping jigs and crankbaits like a Rapala DT6 or D10 for the shallow bite. Squarebills could also come into play.
What will it take?
Bryce McDonald bagged 19-4 to win the March 1 Mountain Division event at Dale Hollow, and it took 14-2 to cash a check. Springtime BFLs on Dale Hollow historically see winning bags in the 20- to 22-pound range, and 14 to 16 pounds to contend for a check.
Both largemouth and smallmouth should be biting come tournament weekend. Smallmouth likely won’t play a huge role due to the size restrictions limiting anglers to one under 16 inches and just one over 21 inches long, but there’s a possibility of catching a giant smallie above the slot limit to boost the bag.
Sign up to Fish 4 Free
Every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division this season will receive an Abu Garcia gift pack valued at $230 for boaters and $180 for co-anglers – a value that exceeds the entry fee. It’s like Fishing 4 FREE! Plus, participants will receive a code for 25% off an order at AbuGarcia.com. Click here to sign up for the Abu Garcia Fishing 4 Free promotion, or call 270-252-1000 to take advantage of this offer. Anglers will receive their gift pack at the event.