“We had 84 boats last year,” said Brent Brady, tournament director,” and our goal this year is 100 boats or more. This year it seems like all the local tournaments have had larger draws. I think that is because gas prices are down and more people are fishing. The weather looks real good this week so I think we are going to have a good turnout.”

Not only that, but fishing in Chickamauga Lake has been outstanding so far this year, with heavier than normal winning weights – and a new state record largemouth certified at 15 1/2 pounds caught a couple of months back.

The fishing this week is already good, Brady said.

“A big front blew through, but we had a pretty good day Saturday. A lot of fish are spawning. The water temperature is 67 degrees and a lot of fish are coming in. It is setting up to be a really good tournament and I think it will take about 25 ponds to win it.”

More than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the tournament, he said, with around $2,000, depending on total entries, going to the winning anglers. Entry fee is $150 per boat, with an additional $10 for the Big Fish Pot.

There will be four hourly big fish weigh-ins with an hourly cash prize of $250. New this year is a Youth Big Fish category with two winners for anglers under 18 years of age, Brady said.

Brady said that in addition to Chickamauga, anglers may lock through to Nickajack and Watts Bar Lakes to fish the tournament.

There is a mandatory meeting at Sportsman’s Warehouse, starting at 6 p.m. Friday, for at least one fisherman from each boat entered.

“We will have a dinner, do the boat draws and give out sponsor bags,” Brady said. “We really appreciate Sportsman’s Warehouse as a sponsor because this tournament benefits a lot of kids.”

 

9th Annual Sportsman’s Warehouse Fisherman’s Dream Tournament

Sat, May 2, 2015

Chickamauga Lake

Chester Frost Park

Call Brent Brady at (423) 718-0326 or Coach Neighbors (423) 322-0311

www.sportsmanswarehouse.com