Tims Ford Lake has been the setting for the opening two days of Major League Fishing’s Toyota Heritage Cup, with Bobby and Chris Lane winning Monday’s elimination match and moving into the next round.
The brothers, competing as Team Star brite, caught 17 bass weighing a combined 33 pounds, 13 ounces on Oct. 19, according to MLF’s results. Their day included shallow-water jig fishing and a productive topwater bite.
Brent Ehrler and Justin Lucas also advanced for Team Ferguson with 16 bass totaling 30 pounds. Ehrler caught a 1-pound, 14-ounce bass with about three minutes remaining to move his team into second place.
For Franklin County residents who want to follow the tournament, MLF is streaming competition coverage from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central each day through Friday, Oct. 23. Coverage is available at MajorLeagueFishing.com, through the MLF and MyOutdoorTV apps, and on Rumble. The final hour also airs on RFD-TV from 3 to 4 p.m. Central.
The six-day event is hosted by Experience Tennessee with partners that include Winchester and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Manchester, Bill Dance Signature Lakes and Fish Tennessee are also listed as partners.
Tuesday brings another four-team elimination match. The top two teams advance, followed by knockout rounds Wednesday and Thursday and a four-team championship Friday.
There is a twist to the competition: MLF keeps each day’s fishing location secret until anglers reach the launch ramp that morning. Tims Ford’s use Sunday and Monday does not establish where the remaining rounds will take place.
Sunday’s opening match went to Takahiro Omori and Dean Rojas of Team Lowrance, who caught 17 bass weighing 29 pounds, 2 ounces. Todd Faircloth and Nick LeBrun also advanced, finishing just five ounces ahead of the next team.
Illustration by 931Go. No third-party photograph used. Credit 931Go.
