03/06/2023
It's a big month for Cherokee and Douglas Lakes! The Major League Fishing pros will be here March 18 - 23 for a 6 day tournament split between Cherokee and Douglas. Hometown pro, Ott DeFoe will be heavily favored since both Cherokee and Douglas are considered his home lakes. Don’t forget about pros like Jacob Wheeler, who won his first Bassmaster's Elite trophy here on Cherokee back in 2017. Also keep an eye on pros like Sevierville’s David Walker and anytime there's smallmouth to catch, Josh Bertrand will be in the mix. Josh finished 6th in 2017 when the Bassmaster Elites were here. Jesse Wiggins will also be a favorite, Jesse finished 3rd in 2017. The GOAT himself will be here, Kevin VanDam. Kevin announced 2023 will be his last year fishing as a pro so this may be the last time you get to see him on Cherokee and Douglas.
Here's the schedule for the week........
How to Watch
Watch the MLF NOW! live stream on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app or the MyOutdoorTV app every day of competition.
Format
Day 1: March 18 – Qualifying Round – Group A
Forty anglers compete
Catch, weigh, immediate release
Each pro’s five heaviest bass per day will be scored
Total weight carries to Qualifying Day 2
Day 2: March 19 – Qualifying Round – Group B
Forty anglers compete
Catch, weigh, immediate release
Each pro’s five heaviest bass per day will be scored
Total weight carries to Qualifying Day 2
Day 3: March 20 – Qualifying Round – Group A
Forty anglers compete
Catch, weigh, immediate release
Each pro’s five heaviest bass per day will be scored
Day 1 + Day 3 = total weight
Anglers who finish in 1st-20th place advance to Knockout Round (Day 5)
NO AUTOMATIC ADVANCEMENT to the Championship Round for winning the Qualifying Rounds
Bottom 20 anglers are eliminated
Day 4: March 21 – Qualifying Round – Group B
Forty anglers compete
Catch, weigh, immediate release
Each pro’s five heaviest bass per day will be scored
Day 2 + Day 4 = total weight
Anglers who finish in 1st-20th place advance to Knockout Round (Day 5)
NO AUTOMATIC ADVANCEMENT to the Championship Round for winning the Qualifying Rounds
Bottom 20 anglers are eliminated
Day 5: March 22 – Knockout Round
Forty anglers compete
Catch, weigh, immediate release
Zero weight to start
Each pro’s five heaviest bass per day will be scored
Top 10 anglers advance to Championship Round
Bottom 30 anglers are eliminated
WEIGHTS DO NOT ZERO FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND. Top 10’s weights will carry over from the Knockout Round
Day 6: March 23 – Championship Round
Ten anglers compete
Catch, weigh, immediate release
Weights carried over from Knockout Round
Each pro’s five heaviest bass will be scored
Highest cumulative total weight from Knockout and Championship Rounds wins
