Saturday, September 21– 6:00 PM
This will conclude Day 1 live blog coverage presented by Bass Pro Shops. Read a complete recap from Day 1 of tournament competition at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley here.
Saturday, September 21– 5:50 PM
Saturday, September 21– 5:45 PM
Day 1 of tournament competition is complete at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley on Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN. Zach Pocos from Top 25 ranked McKendree University takes the Day 1 lead with a bass weighing 6.21 pounds.
Saturday, September 21– 4:11 PM
The final session of the day is now complete. Alex Gore from 4th ranked Carson-Newman wins Session 4 presented by Garmin. The session victory pays out a $1,5000 Garmin credit.
Here is a look at the Top 10 for Session 4 presented by Garmin. 1st through 10th were separated by just over two pounds. Carson-Newman, Montevallo, and McMcKendree all placed two anglers in the Top 10 for this session.
Saturday, September 21– 2:10 PM
The University of Montevallo is currently 6th in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Pictured here is team member Storm Clark. He finished 2nd in Session 1 presented by Berkley earlier today.
Saturday, September 21– 1:55
Weather conditions are changing slightly here on Kentucky Lake. A light breeze has kicked up and significant cloud cover has moved in. This could have an impact on the afternoon bite. Wind and clouds will allow anglers to possibly throw more moving baits and target feeding bass up shallow. The final session of each day typically results in a greater number of fish being weighed in, as anglers have either waited to weigh in or made a long run. Look for an exciting final hour for weigh-in of Session 4 presented by Garmin.
Saturday, September 21– 1:40 PM
Take a look at the Top 10 for Session 3 presented by Bass Pro Shops. Numerous teams from the Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia had anglers place in this session.
Barrett Bennefield from Top 25 LSU-Shreveport wins Session 3 presented by Bass Pro Shops with a bass going 5.36 pounds. The session victory earns Barrett a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, and Bass Pro Shops tackle tray.
Saturday, September 21– 1:30 PM
The presenting sponsor for the final session of the day is Garmin. This past summer, leading up to ICAST, Garmin introduced several new products. Click the attached links to read more about each one:
Saturday, September 21– 1:15 PM
The presenting sponsor of today’s live blog coverage, as well as Session 3, is Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops strives to provide student anglers with the highest level of tournament competition and rewards. In carrying out that mission, Bass Pro Shops rewards college tournament anglers through its Collegiate Bass Fishing Contingency Program. Eligible anglers competing on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series in 2024 will have the chance earn up to an additional $2,000. Click here to find out more.
Saturday, September 21– 12:00 PM
Owen and Brady from Top 25 ranked Adrian College each just landed these quality largemouth bass. Anglers are finding great success today out on Kentucky Lake, along with good sized fish to bring to the scales.
Saturday, September 21– 11:30 AM
Carter Nutt from 3rd ranked University of North Alabama wins Day 1 Session 2 presented by Bajío with a bass weighing 5.40 pounds. The session victory nets Carter 1 pair of Bajío sunglasses, a Bajío prize package, and $300 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card.
Here is a complete look at the Top 10 for this session. This marks back-to-back sessions in which Carter has placed in the Top 10. It took a bass weighing over four pounds to claim a prize for Session 2.
Saturday, September 21– 10:25 AM
For a tournament angler, as well as fishermen and women of any skill level, fish care is paramount. Preserving the resource for future generations to continue to enjoy is important for the longevity of the sport. T-H Marine offers an extensive lineup of fish care products designed to help promote the live release of fish. Watch as Carl Jocumsen breaks down the various fish care items offered by T-H Marine.
Saturday, September 21- 10:10 AM
Various prize payouts in Session 1 include products from Trailer Valet. Trailer Valet, a series partner with the Association of Collegiate Anglers, is excited to offer its Brand Partner Program to college anglers.
Trailer Valet is looking for Brand Partners that support its “Move Forward” mentality. This encompasses a variety of items, including: competitive spirit, overcoming adversity, and giving back to the community. Simply put…anything that places the sport or community “forward.”
Anglers interested in becoming a Trailer Valet Brand Partner can apply at this link. Eligible candidates will be asked to share their story and provide social media samples that build their case for why they would be a good selection for this program.
Saturday, September 21- 9:55 AM
This weekend’s event is presented by Berkley. Berkley produces a variety of baits, including hard baits and soft plastics. This past summer, at ICAST in Orlando, FL, Berkley won the Best of Category award for Freshwater Hard Bait with the Krej. Breaking the narrative of freshwater hard baits, the Berkley Krej defied the odds with its innovative, upturned bill. The Berkley Krej is one of the most unique baits anglers will see on the market this year. Built to be used in conjunction with forward-facing sonar, the Berkley Krej gives fish a unique look they’ve never seen before. Follow this link to read more.
Saturday, September 21- 9:45 AM
With the conclusion of Session 1 presented by Berkley, here is a look at the Top 10 biggest, prize winning fish. This session saw two fish over six pounds come to the scales. Top 25 ranked Carson-Newman places three anglers in the Top 10 for the first session of the event.
Zach Pocos from Top 25 ranked McKendree University wins the first session of the day. For the session victory, Zach receives a $300 Bass Pro Shops gift card, Trailer Valet jack, and Abu Garcia casting rod.
Session 1 presented by Berkley saw numerous quality fish brought to the scales. This field of elite anglers was able to capitalize on a solid morning bite. It will be fun to see how the rest of the day plays out. Based on the bite, and anglers’ strategies, the later sessions in the day typically see a good deal of fish weighed in.
Saturday, September 21 – 9:35 AM
Anglers from 2nd ranked Lander University have made it to their starting spot.
The anglers are being greeted with some cloud cover this morning, as well as light wind. Kentucky Lake is a diverse fishery that offers anglers plenty of great high percentage areas to target, regardless of conditions.
If the conditions continue on the trajectory at which they’ve started, teams will likely get a lot of bites in a variety of different areas. Weather conditions have been stable all week, with similar patterns forecasted for today. Typical late summer/early fall tactics should be in play. Topwater baits early, followed up with shad pattern moving baits and finesse soft plastics will make for strong rotation of presentations.
Saturday, September 21– 9:05 AM
Live weigh-in will be streamed during both days of tournament competition. Follow along at this link.
Saturday, September 21- 8:00 AM
The full field of anglers is now out on Kentucky Lake for Day 1 of tournament competition at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley. The first session is presented by Berkley and will close at 9:00 AM. As soon as we have updates from out on the water, we will post those here promptly!
Saturday, September 21 – 4:15 AM
Good Saturday morning from Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley! This is the first stop of the 2024-25, historic 20th season for the Association of Collegiate Anglers on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.
Close to 600 anglers are set to begin tournament competition this morning, with official takeoff happening from Paris Landing State Park and Marina.
CarecoTV camera crew members will start the day with the Top 3 teams in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia; 1) Emmanuel University, 2) Lander University, and 3) University of North Alabama.
Stay tuned to today’s live blog presented by Bass Pro Shops to keep up with all of the Day 1 tournament action here at Kentucky Lake.
