Truman Lake Set to Host Final Event for Toyota Series Plains Division

WARSAW, Mo. – The Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Plains Division Presented by Outlaw Ordnance will continue its 2022 season next week in Warsaw, Missouri, Sept. 15-17, with the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at Truman Lake. Hosted by the Sedalia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Benton County Tourism and Recreation, the three-day tournament is the third and final event of the season for the Toyota Series Plains Division anglers and will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $75,000.

“It’s an exciting time in Sedalia leading up to the MLF Toyota Series tournament on Truman Lake in Benton County,” said Kyle Herrick, President of Sedalia Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Only a short drive from Truman Lake, anglers and fans will find a surprising array of amenities in Sedalia – from our user-friendly hotel accommodations to over 80 restaurants – which are sure to add pleasure to the sportsman’s adventure. We are thrilled to welcome the 2022 Toyota Series anglers to our community.”

Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Sterett Creek Resort and Marina located at 18174 Marina Road in Warsaw. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina 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 and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

“We are very excited to partner with the Sedalia Convention and Visitors Bureau and welcome anglers competing in the MLF Toyota Series tournament to Truman Lake and Benton County, Missouri,” said Lynette Stokes, Director of Benton County Tourism. “We look forward to showcasing Truman Lake – one of Benton County’s many assets – and are certain anglers and fans alike will enjoy their stay. On behalf of Warsaw, Benton County Tourism and Sterett Creek Marina and Resort, we wish each participating angler the best of luck.”

Pro Casey Scanlon of Eldon, Missouri, said he grew up “cutting his teeth” on the predominantly shallow fishery and is looking forward to getting back out on the water to relive a few memories and hopefully catch a bunch of fish. 

“I grew up traveling from Kansas City to fish tournaments on Truman Lake, so I’m excited for the opportunity to fish a bigger tournament on the lake,” Scanlon said. “Fishing in September is typically tough across the country, and there’s been quite a bit of tournament pressure over the past month or two, but it’s a great lake and should make for a fun event.”

Scanlon said there may be some areas that are overlooked by other anglers based on how expansive the fishery is and how hard it can be to navigate – an aspect that should give him a slight advantage due to his experience on the lake. 

“There’s a lot of standing timber and rock cover, with large shallow-water expansive flats, so it can be a bit treacherous,” Scanlon said. “There aren’t many clearly marked boat lanes, so guys are going to have to run through the timber and creek channels.”

Scanlon said he predicts it will take 46 to 47 pounds to win the three-day tournament and expects to see quite a few five-bass limits throughout the event.

“The fishing will vary based on the conditions, but there have been several 6- and 7-pounders weighed in at tournaments lately, so I expect to see a few big fish at the weigh-in,” Scanlon said. “There’s a lot of untapped water on the fishery and there will probably be many anglers that are new to the reservoir, so a variety of techniques will come into play. 

“I expect to see guys fishing ultra-shallow with Trophy Bass Company Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and various topwater and soft plastic baits, as well as some off-shore fishing with jigs, shaky head rigs and crankbaits.”

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.

The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions and finish in the top 25 – or the top 12 from the Wild Card division – will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 cash. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Championship will be held Nov. 3-5 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by Marshall County Tourism and Sports.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Outlaw Ordinance, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF Toyota Series on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.