Chilton County will host the 2016 season opener of the Ram Truck Open Series on Saturday.

The pro-am angling event will be the first of five events that will take place from Saturday to September within the South Alabama Division.

This is the first time the series has held a tournament in Chilton County, and is expected to draw over 100 participants from throughout Alabama and Georgia.

“Lake Mitchell is a smaller body of water compared to some places that we go, but the fishing is supposed to be phenomenal this time of year,” Southeast Regional Tournament Director Billy Benedetti said.

Start time is set for sunrise on Saturday with the weigh-in portion of the event beginning at 3 p.m. at Higgins Ferry Park. The top catch will take home a guaranteed prize of $5,000.

“We’ve had so much rain and that makes a difference as far as the clarity of the water, but the fish still have to eat,” Benedetti said. “I expect to have several 20-pound bags weighed in.”

Finishing high enough through the first four season events will qualify anglers for the 2-Day Area Championship on Sept. 17 and 18 at Lakepoint Resort State Park in Eufaula.

According to Benedetti, the top 20 boaters and co-anglers in that event will move on to the Ray Scott Championship for a chance at a top payout of $170,000.