BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. — The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Mountain Division will take on Dale Hollow Lake for the third time this season on June 7. This event was initially scheduled for Barren River, but Dale Hollow will be a worthy venue offering a chance to catch both shallow and deep-dwelling bass.
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
With six MLF Top 10 finishes, including a win on Dale Hollow, to his credit since 2023, Loudon, Tennessee’s Jacob Woods is no stranger to the lake and says there will be something for everyone in this event.
“It’s going to be an interesting tournament with the amount of rain we’ve had; this has been one of the wettest springs I can remember,” he said. “That has kept many fish shallow because the water hasn’t warmed up too much, and they have no reason to leave because the bait is still up there. I know there will be guys out deep ‘Scoping on the bait balls like there always is, but I can see this one being won shallow in the grass as well.”
With a healthy lake like Dale Hollow, Woods says there will be plenty of fish caught including quite a few 3-pound class fish. The difference makers that can separate an angler will be crucial, and he thinks those will come early in the morning, likely with a topwater lure.
“There will be tons of limits, and those big fish are what you’ll need, either a big largemouth or an ‘over’ (the slot limit) smallmouth. And right now, the best way to catch them is a topwater,” he said. “If you get a good boat number, get somewhere early that you have confidence in right away, because I believe the big fish of the day will be caught in the first hour.”
Woods says there will be several patterns in play, and anglers can fish their strengths. “It’ll be one where you can pick your poison and then go do it,” he said. “They’re biting right now; the key will be finding those little juice holes with a little better-quality fish or playing the law of average game and catching a bunch and hoping you can cull up.”
Baits to bring
Woods says walking topwaters early in the day are a must, and then flipping soft plastics or dragging big worms in the grass the rest of the day will produce. For the offshore game, he says it’s hard to beat a jighead minnow on Dale Hollow, and his go-to is the Burtek Tackle Wrangler 5.7.
What will it take?
Due to the bass being postspawn, Woods expects 18 or 19 pounds to be enough for the win. Anglers averaging 3 pounds per bass should have a shot at a check, but he expects weights to be extremely tight.
Sign up to Fish 4 Free!
This marks the fourth Mountain Division stop of the season, which is notable because every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division 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. Sign up today at MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270) 252-1000 to take advantage of this incredible offer. Anglers will receive their gift box at the event.