GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine LBL Division will take on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes on June 14 for the third time of the year. The mid-June setting of this event should make for a true offshore tournament on lakes that are on a serious upswing.
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
Levi Kohl, a student at nearby Murray State University, is on a serious tear on the lake, having won the last BFL and several local events since that one held in mid-May. He’ll also be fishing this tournament and expects the hot bite to continue. He is planning to stick with the ledge fishing approach that Kentucky Lake is famous for, which will likely be employed by most of the anglers.
“It’s pretty much going to be all offshore stuff again, rotating through schools of fish holding to deep cover,” he said. “The other thing to remember for this one is that it’s a three-fish limit since it’s a summertime event. That will change things and make it tricky to win, because you’ll need three big ones, but I’m not planning to fish it any differently.”
Much has been made of the resurgence of the smallmouth population in both Kentucky Lake and Barkley, but Kohl said largemouth will likely be the way to win.
“It will probably be dominated by largemouth because the smallmouth tend to disappear in the summer here,” he said. “But, there will still be some nice smallmouth brought in.”
The massive Kentucky Lake is firing on all cylinders now, and Kohl believes that the potential is there to win right now just about anywhere.
“It’s full of fish, and I’d say it’s back to the old Kentucky Lake,” he said. “We’re not seeing the huge weights like the old days right now, but plenty of fish can be caught. You can pretty much win it from dam to dam; this place is fishing really good right now.”
Baits to bring
With this event likely dominated by the offshore game, Kohl says to pack your favorite deep-water baits. His top picks include a deep-diving crankbait, a big plastic worm and a hair jig.
What will it take?
Kohl says catching three 5-pounders will be necessary to have a shot to win with the reduced limit. His guess for the check weight is somewhere between 11 and 12 pounds.
Sign up to Fish 4 Free!
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.