Walmart Bass Fishing League Heads to Kentucky April 13, 2012

Kentucky's weekend anglers are undoubtedly getting their bait and tackle ready for the Walmart Bass Fishing League fishing tournament set to take place on April 14, 2012. If you aren't one of them, you should be. The fishing tournament affords anglers a chance to do what they love and earn a boat load of cash in the process. Here are some of the details:

Fishing Tournament Basics

The Walmart Bass Fishing League is easy to register for and the entry fees aren't that steep. Interested anglers may opt to sign up online or in person. In person registration is set to take place on April 13, 2012 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Walmart on Walmart Plaza Drive in Monticello, Kentucky. A 6:30 p.m. pre-tournament meeting is also scheduled for April 13, 2012 at the same locale. Online registration may be done through the FLW website. Fees range from $100 for co-anglers to $200 for boaters. A total prize purse in excess of $10,000 is on the line and the winning angler will be given an opportunity to compete in the regional tournament scheduled to take place later this year. The fishing tournament itself will kick off on April 14, 2012 from the Conley Bottom Resort in Monticello. The fishing tournament boats are expected to launch from the docks at 7 a.m. and weigh-in is set to take place at 3 p.m. Catch and size limits will be in effect.

About the Venue

The Conley Bottom Resort is located on the south east side of Lake Cumberland along Camping Area Road. It features an onsite bait and tackle store as well as a fueling area. Overnight accommodations and refreshments are also available onsite. Those that would prefer not to stay onsite will find suitable accommodations plentiful in the surrounding area. The Lake Cumberland State Resort Park is just one of those additional options to consider.

Fishing Tournament Suggestions

As of April 10, 2012 the headwater level at Lake Cumberland was 684.41 MSL. The tailwater level was 557.01 MSL. Water temperatures were 68.2 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface and 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit at depths of 30 feet. The lake itself traditionally has a maximum depth of 90 feet, but that depth is subject to seasonal variations and Wolf Creek Dam releases. Visiting anglers should also be mindful that the lake does provide navigational challenges at times due to dam activity. For anglers that are interested in conducting a bit more research, topographical and lake maps are available on the Lake Cumberland website.

Since the beginning of April, air temperatures in Monticello have been in the 60s and 70s during the day. Evening temperatures have ranged from the 30s to the 50s. The current forecast for the day of the fishing tournament is calling for a waning crescent moon, partially cloudy skies, daytime air temperatures in the high 70s and winds coming out of the south at 11-mph. Personally, I would suggest that anglers consider using double blade spinnerbaits, shakey head jigs and crankbaits. I'd also recommend targeting the deep channels, creeks, coves and floating brush piles. Depending on the water clarity and the weather, sight fishing in the shallows with weighted tubes might prove successful as well.

Killeen Gonzalez enjoys fishing with her family and has traveled extensively.

More from this contributor:

Bassmaster Carhartt College Series Heads to Virginia April 12, 2012

FLW Fishing Tournament Results for the Weekend of March 30, 2012

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