FISHING TOURNAMENTS

March 20, 2010
Wal-Mart BFL Tournament • 270.252.1000 • www.FLWOutdoors.com

April 24, 2010
Wal-Mart East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
Bass Fishing Tournament at East Port Marina & Resort
Time: 7:00am-3:00pm
All Proceeds go to Children’s Hospital
$75.00 per boat - 2 person team - 5 fish limit
1st Place - Weekend Houseboat Vacation
2nd Place - $200.00
Biggest Fish - $100.00
Contact Bobby Bennett 931.239.5795 • East Port Marina 931.879.7511

May 8, 2010
5th Annual Community Bank of the Cumberlands Bass Classic
931.752.7671 • www.dalehollow.com

September 18-19, 2010
Hayes Invitational Tournament
931.243.6133 • punisherlures@punisherlures.com

October 2-3, 2010
25th Annual Dale Hollow Bass Classic
888.406.4704 • www.dalehollow.com

Fishing with the “The Smallmouth Guru”

Hi, I’m Stephen Headrick – “The Smallmouth Guru”. I have devoted most of my life to the science of fishing and sharing the enjoyment of fishing. I have several children and most of them are grown now, but I still have a very young daughter at home. All of my children have been fishing with me many times and I can’t say that they love it like I do, but they have learned to appreciate & understand the sport. I travel all over the country talking about the amazing Smallmouth Bass. I write a blog on www.Bassmaster.com, own Punisher Lures - a fishing lure manufacturing company, and own a retail tackle store in Celina, TN - Dale Hollow 1 Stop, all dedicated to the pursuit of this astronomical fish. There’s just no place like home (Dale Hollow Lake) when it comes to the pursuit of this marvelous passion.

Dale Hollow Lake fishing is more than just a fishing trip, it’s an experience! Just imagine fishing a lake that has crystal clear water surrounded by wilderness, no houses, & an incredible big fish history. The beauty surrounding it is just breath taking. In the spring, when all the trees & flowers are blooming on all the hillsides, it’s absolutely stunning!

In the summer, when you are on the water at night, you feel a slight breeze blowing and see the moon glistening off the water. In the fall, the leaves dazzle the sight with their ever changing palette of glorious colors. In the winter, when the water is clearer than any other time of the year, if you’re lucky, you’ll see a blanket of snow across the top of the hills. Each season is special and unique and this is just some of the beauty of fishing Dale Hollow Lake throughout the year. Remember there is a lot more to fishing Dale Hollow Lake than just catching fish. Rejoice in the good times, delight in the awesome surroundings, and celebrate the big catches. Fishing Dale Hollow Lake will be one experience that you will never forget. When you come, don’t forget your camera because the memories you will be making are irreplaceable.

There are many species of fish in Dale Hollow Lake, but I want to talk first about the fish I love the most, the king of all game fish, the Smallmouth Bass. Dale Hollow Lake has a history of BIG Smallmouth Bass. A gentleman and a great fisherman, DL Hayes caught the World Record Smallmouth Bass out of Dale Hollow Lake weighing 11 Lbs. 15 oz. in 1955.

Since that day, 5 of the top 7 Smallmouth Bass have been caught at Dale Hollow Lake and all of the 5 weighed over 10 pounds each. When you start looking at the thousands of lakes in this country, and as far as that matters the World, 5 of the top 7 is an astonishing number!

Dale Hollow Lake’s set limits for Smallmouth Bass are one under 16” and one over 21” which makes a 4 lb. Smallmouth an average fish. Some people would mount a fish that size. People come from all over the world seeking to catch one of these mammoth bronze backs. One question that I get asked all the time is - “When is the best time to catch a big Smallmouth Bass?” If I had to say a particular time frame to catch a big Smallmouth Bass, I would have to say around Thanksgiving to early May, because this is when the Smallmouth Bass are full of eggs, but remember that catching the big one is only part of the experience.

The other species of fish in Dale Hollow Lake have grown in popularity due to the efforts of state agencies in KY & TN, and the effect this has had on these species. These agencies have great stocking programs. Crappie are commonly being caught between 10”-15”, but some have been caught between 15”-18”. The abundant Walleye population is usually caught from 15”-24”, but some are being caught 28”-34”. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and some called Shell Crackers are being caught at 12”. Not a bad catch by any stretch of the imagination.

I lost my best friend & fishing buddy to cancer this year. The memories come racing back every time I fish on Dale Hollow Lake. These memories are monumental and a precious part of my life. Take time to enjoy the scenery, capture the moment in time, and most of all enjoy catching the Big one with family & friends.

Stephen Headrick
“The Smallmouth Guru”