HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Anglers from around the world are casting their lines in Huntsville this weekend for the Toyota Series Championship, marking the first time the city has hosted the prestigious event.
More than 400 competitors are fishing on Wheeler Lake through Saturday, with a grand prize of more than $200,000 at stake.
The event, organized by Major League Fishing (MLF), is the final stop on the tournament tour, drawing some of the best anglers to the Rocket City. Huntsville officials say bringing the championship to the area will help boost the region’s reputation as a fishing destination.
“When we started looking at bringing it to Huntsville, it was a tremendous opportunity to bring a big championship to Ditto Landing, launch from here, and really help push us as a fishing destination,” said Joel Lamp, Sports Development Manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). “We’re in the middle of the bass fishing mecca of the world, all up and down the Tennessee River. You know, like Guntersville, our next-door neighbor, and Guntersville fishing is so good right now. Not to take anything away from Wheeler.”
Mark McWha, Tournament Director for MLF’s Toyota Series, agrees with the region's potential for anglers.
“Instead of taking the day off to rest, our guys went to Guntersville, and it’s really putting out some great fish,” McWha said. “Huntsville has the central location in the Southeast. You can go in a lot of different directions from a fishing standpoint.”
The tournament runs through Saturday, with competitors vying for the $200,000 grand prize and bragging rights as the best angler in the series.
To check results, visit here.