The second Southwestern Division Toyota Series event of 2021 gets under way Thursday (March 25) at Lake Texoma out of Durant, Okla. The three-day tournament will offer a top prize of up to $65,000, plus an additional $35,000 bonus if the winner is a qualified Phoenix Boat owner.
Jeff Reynolds of Calera, Oklahoma – a winner on Texoma in the Toyota Series in 2017 and a BFL event in 2013 – said the warmer weather means changing conditions for Lake Texoma.
“The fish seem to be changing every day – it’s getting to be that time of year where they want to move shallow, so this should be a fun event," he said.
Reynolds said there still hasn’t been much rainfall, which means the lake is about 5 feet lower than where it normally is.
“There’s plenty of structure and cover to fish on Texoma, but I’d recommend anglers stay away from the wood since the water level is so low,” said Reynolds. “If the fish are staging around those suspended docks, swimming a jig or a spinnerbait will be key – jerkbaits and crankbaits will be in play as well.
“The last three or four years on Texoma have really been all about the largemouth. However, lately the smallmouth have started to get larger and healthier. They’re definitely going to be a big player during the event. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 20-pound stringer of smallmouth, but a mixed bag and 20 pounds of fish or more per day will be key.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from the Catfish Bay Marina in Kingston. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 3 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
