BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced today that three tournaments originally scheduled for May would be pushed to the fall to allow states additional time to reopen and ease restrictions on large gatherings.
The Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden, Ala., which was originally set for May 21-23, will now be held October 22-24. Instead of May 23, the one-day Huk B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series at Chickamauga Lake powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia will be held on the Dayton, Tenn., fishery November 21. Competition in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Toledo Bend in Many, La., scheduled for May 28-30 will now take place October 14-16.
“Our team is working diligently to ensure that we are ready to get back to the competition and fun of tournament fishing as soon as it is safe and feasible to do so,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S.
Anglers, staff and sponsors from across the U.S. and several foreign countries participate in these tournaments, making it especially important to monitor both state and national guidelines on non-essential travel and border closures when finalizing event dates.
States where the events are to be held have announced different guidelines for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. Alabama has allowed some businesses to reopen while extending its “safer-at-home” guidelines as well as a ban on large gatherings — including sporting events — until May 15. Louisiana has extended their stay-at-home order until May 15 as efforts continue to stop the spread of the coronavirus in one of the country’s hardest-hit states.
Eleven events scheduled for April and May have had to be rescheduled. A new schedule for the remaining 2020 tournaments is expected to be released soon.
