Nearly 200 Boat Field Set to Compete in 2021 Pickwick Slam
Category: article
Apr 10th, 2021 by Keith Worrall
Modified Apr 10th, 2021 at 11:39 AM
Nearly 200 Boat Field Set to Compete in 2021 Pickwick Slam
Close to 400 of the top collegiate anglers are set to compete for $20,000+ in prizes & contingencies, as well as double points towards the School of the Year race
FLORENCE, AL (April 9, 2021) – The second to last ACA ran event of the 2020-21 season is set to be contested on Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL. A near 200 boat field of the top collegiate anglers in the country will compete in the 2021 Pickwick Slam April 10-11, 2021. The Pickwick Slam is a no-entry fee event that will payout the Top 20 places with over $20,000 in prizes and contingencies. Also, up for grabs this week are double points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. The winner of the Pickwick Slam will earn 1,000 points for their respective school.
Thunderstorms and rain are forecasted to impact the Shoals Region overnight. That system is expected to linger in the area through the early morning. ACA staff have made the call to delay Saturday morning launch until 8:00 AM at the earliest. Anglers will be notified via text message if any further updates are made to the start time.
Wilson Lake is also available for anglers to fish on throughout both days of the competition. Wilson historically produces lots of bites and could be a true player in the event if anglers can find some quality bites. On Saturday, the lock is scheduled to open at 9:30 AM, with gates closing at 10:00 AM. When it comes time to return back down to Pickwick Lake, gates will open at 2:00 PM and close at 2:30 PM in order to get anglers in the first flight back on time for 3:30 PM check in.
The 400 angler field should be treated to great fishing conditions each of the next two days. Anglers are reporting great numbers and quality fish catches throughout practice. “I think it will take 22 pounds a day, maybe even 25 or better to win the event,” said Samuel Climer from Top 15 ranked Tarleton State University.
2021 marks the first time in nearly 10 years that the ACA has hosted a major collegiate event on Pickwick Lake during the spring time. Bass are pushed up shallow and possibly in all three phases of the spawn currently. This will put just about any type of cover, all sections of the lake, and a wide range of techniques in play. Look for many large pre-spawn fish to be brought to the scales over the next two days.