Alabama's Pickwick Lake is expected to host a Walmart Bass Fishing League tournament on Saturday, September 8, 2012. The bass fishing tournament is open to weekend anglers that have the wherewithal to pre-register and remit the necessary fees. A collective prize purse worth over $10,000 is on offer. Here are a few more details:
Fishing Tournament Basics
The Walmart Bass Fishing League's tournament is slated to take place Saturday, September 8, 2012 through Sunday, September 9, 2012 in Florence, Alabama. The participating bass anglers are anticipated to launch their fishing boats daily at 6:30 a.m. from McFarland Park. McFarland Park is located on James M. Spain Drive. It is less than 10 minutes away from the Hough Road Walmart in Florence. Saturday's 2:30 p.m. weigh-in is expected to take place at McFarland Park. Sunday's 3:30 p.m. weigh-in is scheduled to take place at the Walmart.
Anglers interested in fishing in the tournament will have an opportunity to pre-register on Friday, September 7, 2012. The pre-registration session is expected to take place from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Florence Walmart. A mandatory, 6:30 p.m. meeting is expected to follow. Registration fees start at $150 per co-angler and cap out at $300 per boater.
About the Venue
Visiting anglers will find boat slip rentals, a marine store, boat ramps, fishing piers and campsites available at McFarland Park. Boat fuel and pump-out services are also on offer. There are several bait and tackle stores located in the general area as well.
Fishing Forecast
As of Thursday, August 9, 2012, the tailwater level at Pickwick Lake was said to be at 359.91 feet MSL and the surface water temperature was reputedly 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime air temperatures around Pickwick Lake have been in the high 80s and 90s (Fahrenheit) since the beginning of the month. Those temperatures are predicted to continue through September 2012.
Given the forecasted conditions, anglers may want to consider targeting the deeper sections of the lake as well as around underwater structures. Pickwick Lake does have an abundant amount of fish attractor sites that may prove to be productive for some.
Anglers' Resources
Navigational charts and underwater contour maps for Pickwick Lake are available online. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Nashville District's website has the navigational charts available for download. The underwater contour maps may be purchased through the Tennessee Valley Authority's website. The underwater contour maps are also said to include the GPS coordinates for Pickwick Lake's fish attractor sites.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys fishing with her family. She has also traveled extensively.
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