The MLF Toyota Series visits Eufaula, Ala. this week for a Southern Division event at Lake Eufaula. Competition got under way today and runs through Saturday.
“We had an early spring, so a lot of fish spawned early,” said Bass Pro Tour pro Randy Howell of Guntersville, Ala.. “But it’s been a cooler latter part of spring, so I think that’s kept some fish still in the shallows. But for the most part, there are a lot of fish already offshore and I think deep offshore cranking and big worms will probably dominate this tournament.”
Howell said that if he was competing in this event he would have a 1-2 punch of baits ready to go.
“Usually at Eufaula, in April and May, there is typically a shad spawn going on early in the morning,” Howell said. “For the first two hours of the day, I’d be throwing a white Lunker Lures HD swimjig around the shallow grass. And a spinnerbait, and maybe even a buzzbait or topwater stuff. I’d be pushing that in the first hour.
“Then, after that sun comes up, I’d head out to the depths and be looking at brush piles and ledges and things like that,” Howell continued. “I’d throw a big Livingston Deep Impact crankbait. Another bait that’s always good on Eufaula – big worms. A big Yamamoto Kut Tail worm, a big Senko – they always seem to do really well there.”
Howell predicted that the winner will have a big limit on the first day of competition and then back it up with a couple of solid days.
“A big bag this time of year is going to be 25 pounds,” Howell went on to say. “I think we’ll probably see a big bag on the first day. But putting that together for three full days is the hard part. I think 64 pounds for three days will win this tournament.”
Anglers will launch each day at 6 a.m. CT from Lakepoint Resort State Park, located at 104 Lakepoint Drive in Eufaula. Weigh-ins will also be held at the State Park and will begin at 2 p.m.
