Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Set for Lewis Smith Lake
Hundreds of Boaters and Co-anglers to Compete in Cullman for $60,000 and Their Shot at the 2023 All-American Championship
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine’s Mississippi, Mountain, Savannah River and Volunteer divisions will finish out their 2022 season later this month in Cullman, Alabama, Oct. 20-22, with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Presented by T-H Marine at Lewis Smith Lake.
Hosted by the Cullman Area Local Organizing Committee, the three-day regional will feature the top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners in all four divisions, battling it out for a top prize of $60,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with lucrative contingency awards, including up to an additional $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Strike King co-anglers will compete for a top prize of $50,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day catch.
The highest finishing boater from each division will also receive a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division will receive a $500 bonus.
Local pro Alex Davis of Albertville, Alabama, said the event is hitting at a time of year that can be incredibly unique on Lewis Smith Lake.
“The fish typically feed on really small shad for most of the later part of the summer and early part of the fall, however this event gets closer to a special time on the fishery, where they start eating bigger baits and herring show up out of nowhere,” Davis said. “When that happens, it’s a recipe for awesomeness. I’ve had days on Smith Lake during this time where I’ve caught 50 to 60 bass chasing herring.”
Davis said the fishery is pretty diverse this time of year, but he expects most anglers will be fishing one of two different patterns – targeting spotted bass chasing herring or fishing shallow for largemouth.
“The largemouth population on Smith Lake has really increased over the past few years, so I expect to see guys throwing topwater baits, including buzzbaits and River2Sea Whopper Ploppers for largemouth, as well as spooks, pencil poppers and Lucky Craft Gunfish for spotted bass.”
For anglers who choose not to fish either of those patterns, Davis said they will most likely focus on brush piles, throwing shaky heads, Ned rigs and drop shots.
“I expect it will take between 45 to 49 pounds to win the event, so 16 to 17 pounds per day should get you in the top spot,” Davis said.
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Smith Lake Park in Cullman. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine consisted of 24 divisions devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regionals.
The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. Dates and location for the 2023 All-American will be announced soon.
The top boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.