This week the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open will hit the waters of Lake Chickamauga from April 20 to the 22nd.
The three-day event starts at the Dayton, Tennessee Boat Launch and is hosted by the Rhea Economic and Tourism Council.
Dayton has quickly become one of the bass fishing capitals of the world hosting events nearly year-round in both the Bassmaster Tour and the FLW as well as several other sanctioning bodies.
The official take-off for all three days will take place at the Dayton Boat Dock located at 175 Lakeshore St. in Dayton, Tennessee. Weigh-in for the first two days will take place at the boat dock, but the final weigh-in festivities will take place at the East Ridge Bass Pro Shop on Saturday April 22.
Activities for fans and guests Saturday will begin between noon and 1:00 p.m. at the East Ridge Bass Pro Shop. Visitors can expect several of the booths and displays to open with possible visits from Bassmaster Pros as they roll in during the afternoon. The Tournament ending final weigh-in time on Saturday is estimated to be at 3:30 p.m. following the afternoon activities at the Bass Pro Shop parking lot. However, if you plan to visit Dayton for the Thursday and Friday weigh-ins you should expect a weigh-in starting time of 2:30 p.m. at the Dayton boat dock.
Bass Pro is located at 1000 Bass Pro Drive, in East Ridge, Tenn.
Tennessee Pros in the Event
Steve Barnes – Harrison
Eric Cabrera – Chattanooga
Brandon Card – Knoxville
David Cornelius – Apison
Brian Hatfield – Spring City
Andy Morgan – Dayton
John Murray – Spring City
Michael Neal – Dayton
Hensley Powell – Whitwell
Wesley Strader – Spring City
Georgia Pros Listed
Barron Adams – Mineral Bluff
Clayton Batts – Lizella
Patrick Bone – Cleveland
Allen Brooks Jr. – Canton
Brian Elder – Locust Grove
Buddy Gross – Chickamauga
Wil Hardy – Harlem
Michael Johnson – Talking Rock
Kenny Johnson – Moreland
Bradley Jones – Aragon
Kent Whitaker, also known as “The Deck Chef,” is a culinary writer and cookbook author. He’s also penned Young Reader and History titles. The former winner of the Emeril Live Food Network Barbecue Contest also covers football, motor-sports, and bass fishing. Kent currently lives in East Tennessee with his wife, son, and a couple of dogs that love when he fires up the smoker or grill.