GROVE, Okla. (March 17, 2026) –The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Grove, Oklahoma, next week, March 26-28, for the second event of the Southwestern division – the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Grand Lake.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the City of Grove, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.
Grand Lake is familiar water for most anglers across the region, and with little to no grass in play, the lake’s bass are typically targeted around rock, docks and brush. In the spring, water clarity often limits sight-fishing, making power-fishing techniques for staging fish a more consistent path to success.
“I’ve had a couple good events there the last couple years in March, but it was really cold then,” said Roger Fitzpatrick of Eldon, Missouri , who won the Toyota Series Championship on Grand Lake last fall. “They definitely weren’t on the bank – they were over deep water. This year, we’ve had such a mild spring here, I assume the water will be in the mid 50s, so I think the weights will be good.”
With the warmer conditions, Fitzpatrick expects much of the field to spend time targeting fish moving shallow.
“It kind of depends on the water level – whether it is a little high – and also the water color,” he said. “Usually this time of year those 6-foot brush piles are pretty hard to beat for the females. Even if there are fish on the bank, a lot of times the better ones haven’t committed to the bank yet. But if the water is up a little, there’s probably an area where you can fish the bank.”
As for key baits on Grand Lake, Fitzpatrick said anglers should be ready to lean on skirted presentations and jerkbaits.
“It will probably be an [umbrella rig] and stickbait deal – they really like a stickbait there,” said Fitzpatrick. “I hope I can catch them on a spinnerbait – that’s my strength. If they bite it, that’s what I’ll chase, and if there’s a little stained water, that’s what I really like.”
Jerkbaits like the Megabass Vision 110 are big producers on Grand Lake, while spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits can also be a good bet depending on conditions.
“With this warm weather, it’s going to take high teens each day to win,” said Fitzpatrick. “I don’t know that it will take 60 pounds, but it will be really close. I think whoever tops the leaderboard is going to have to have some solid ones, because it’s been so mild.”
Anglers will begin each day at 7:30 a.m. CT, launching from Wolf Creek Park at 963 N. 16th St. in Grove. Weigh-ins will take place at the same location, starting at 3:30 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.
The 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2027. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2026 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 5-7 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by Explore Pickwick Lake & Hardin County Tourism.