KIMBALL, Tenn. - The Bass Federation will hold its 2011 national championship Tuesday through Saturday on Nickajack Lake in Marion County.
Kimball Mayor David Jackson said his town is excited to host the tournament and wants to thank those who have helped get everything in place for the event.
"Things have come together really well," Jackson said. "Everyone has done an outstanding job putting this thing together. It's been a lot of hard work, and we appreciate their effort."
Kimball had to put up $10,000 to secure the event, but officials said they expect an estimated $300,000 in revenue during the event.
Bass Federation President Robert Cartlidge said 94 anglers will compete for a payout of nearly $250,000 in cash and prizes.
"The federation has never been simply about fishing for money," he said. "Although these anglers will vie for their share of nearly a quarter-million dollars in cash and prizes during this championship event, these 94 anglers are the very best this year out of literally tens of thousands of Bass Federation members."
The event includes a registration, orientation and welcome banquet on Tuesday at Kimball Park followed by a practice day on Nickajack Lake on Wednesday.
The full-field competition will take place Thursday and Friday, and Jackson said the weigh-ins will be at Kimball Park at 3 p.m. CDT each day.
On Saturday, the top seven boaters and top seven co-anglers from the first two days of competition will compete for the top prize.
Officials said the final weigh-in activities will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center's Outdoor Expo at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday.
Jackson said the event will be filmed for television and streamed live on the Internet, and all events and weigh-ins will be free to the public.
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Email him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.