iKon Boats and Top Industry Sponsors Power High-Stakes Fishing Finale on Dale Hollow Lake
Byrdstown, TN – The 2025 Tailgate Tour Championship, presented by Mercury Outboards and headlined by iKon Boats, is set to unfold on September 27–28 at Dale Hollow Lake’s Star Point Resort. Bringing together the top five teams from each of the four qualifying events, this elite 20-boat field will compete for a total payout of $114,600 including a ready-to-fish 2026 iKon VLX20 powered by a Mercury 250 ProXS.
The tournament has rapidly become one of the most exclusive and exciting competitions in grassroots bass fishing. Adding a unique twist, competitors will also take on bass fishing superstar Jacob Wheeler, with a $10,000 “Wheeler Side Pot” up for grabs if the winning team can outperform him.
“Looking forward to a great event,” said Wheeler, signaling his enthusiasm for the high-caliber competition ahead.
Anglers qualified through events at Kentucky Lake, Lake Erie, Lake of the Ozarks, and Lake Guntersville, earning their shot at the championship with no entry fee. Each team faces two days of competition beginning at safelight on September 27. The off-limits window on Dale Hollow Lake ensures a level playing field, with official practice beginning just two days prior to the event.
Key event sponsors include Mercury, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Millertech, CPF Lures, Power-Pole, Bob’s Machine, TH Marine, Tote-Rite, SPC, Gatorbak, Bajio Sunglasses, and Fishing Chaos. These partners are not only helping make the event possible, but also reinforcing its reputation as one of the most heavily supported tournaments in the country.
Chuck Pippin of iKon Boats highlighted the rarity of the opportunity: “It’s pretty cool the anglers have a 1 in 20 chance of winning an iKon Boat.”
The grand prize is a 2026 iKon VLX20 rigged with premium electronics and components underscores the scale of the championship, as does the prize structure paying down to 20th place. This includes $7,500 for second and $4,000 for third, with even the final finisher taking home $500.
For more information on the Tailgate Tour Championship and participating brands, visit https://ikonboats.com/tgt
