BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The national championship locations and dates for the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods have been released, B.A.S.S. announced today.
The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops will be held on Lake Tenkiller out of Tahlequah, Okla., July 19-21. Tour Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation and Northeastern State University (NSU) will host the event.
“What an honor it is to have the city of Tahlequah chosen for the 2018 Bassmaster Collegiate Fishing Tournament,” said Aubrey Valdez, Tour Tahlequah assistant director. “We are gearing up for this event and are excited to show our Oklahoma hospitality to fishermen and spectators. We already have an enormous amount of support from Northeastern State University, Cherokee Nation, city officials and many others and know July will be here in a flash. We hope to make this a memorable occasion for everyone involved.”
In 2018, the College Series took on a new format, which enables college bass fishing teams to compete in a national tour comprising four tournaments (Eastern, Central, Western and Southern), providing higher payout incentives and more opportunities to qualify for the national championship.
In addition to the four events, the Bassmaster College Series partnered with the B.A.S.S. Nation to hold state-qualifying tournaments. Anglers are now able to compete for a berth in the national championship through their respective state’s event, as well. From the national championship, the Top 4 teams will compete in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops at a location to be later determined.
B.A.S.S. also signed a three-year contract with the Henry County Tourism Authority, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Bethel University for the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series National Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to be held on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tenn., the company announced today.
The prestigious national championship for 2018 will take place Aug. 2-4.
Four regional High School Opens — Central, Midwestern, Western and Southern — qualify student anglers for the national championship. Top competitors from state high school championships and from sanctioned team trails also earn invitations to compete in the high school championship.
The high school championship’s full field will compete on the first two days, after which the field will be cut to the Top 10 on the final day.
The daily takeoffs and first two days’ weigh-ins will take place at Paris Landing State Park, with the final day weigh-in being held in downtown Paris.
“Henry County is excited to once again host the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series National Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods out of Paris Landing on beautiful Kentucky Lake, ” said Henry County Tourism Authority CEO David Hamilton.
In addition, the Junior Bassmaster Championship will be held July 31-Aug. 1, on Carroll County’s 1,000 Acre Recreational Lake in nearby Huntingdon, Tenn.
“We are excited to once again host the Junior Bassmaster National Championship at the Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake,” said Brad Hurley, President, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. “This event keeps growing and we are looking forward to the 2018 Bassmaster Junior National Championship Tournament being the best ever.“
That event will host students aged 7 to 13 representing state organizations within the B.A.S.S. Nation. The Junior Bassmasters qualify to fish the national championship through one of three regional fish-offs of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Both the High School and Junior National Championships will kick off with an official welcome party for all contenders hosted by Bethel University on July 30.
“As the Executive Director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism, and head coach of the Bethel University bass fishing team, it is my honor to welcome each and every one of the anglers and their families to the great waters of Northwest Tennessee,” said Garry Mason. “We hope that you enjoy our wonderful hospitality, and we look forward to seeing you one and all.”
For more information on the national championship events, visit Bassmaster.com.
