Murray State’s Harlan Thomas Takes Day 1 Lead at Kentucky Lake for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley

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San Antonio, TX (September 23, 2023) – This morning, close to 600 of college fishing’s top anglers launched onto Kentucky Lake for Day 1 of tournament competition at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley.  The Association of Collegiate Anglers’ first no-entry-fee, nationally televised, double points event of the season will pay out close to $40,000 in prizes and contingencies over two days.  Day 1 of tournament competition consisted of four weigh-in sessions, with each one paying out prizes to the Top 10 biggest fish.

The day got off to a fast start during Session 1 presented by Evolution Fishing.  Austin Thomas from Top 25 ranked University of North Alabama won the session with a smallmouth bass weighing 4.43 pounds.  For winning the session, Austin received an Evolution Fishing Tackle Backpack, $300 Bass Pro Shops gift card, and Abu Garcia Veritas PLX casting rod.

 

The University of North Alabama placed two anglers in the Top 10 for Session 1 presented by Evolution Fishing(1st and 8th).  Bethel University placed a total of three anglers in the Top 10 for the first session of the day (3rd, 9th, and 10th).

The second session of the day was presented by Bajio Sunglasses.  With each angler in the Top 10 set to receive a pair of sunglasses, along with other items, this was a popular session amongst the anglers.  Kyle Knoll from Top 25 ranked Auburn University took top honors in Session 2 with a bass weighing 4.62 pounds.  By winning Session 2 presented by Bajio Sunglasses, Kyle received a pair of Bajio Sunglasses, a Bajio prize package, and a $300 Bass Pro Shops gift card.

The second session proved to be the most closely contested session on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, as 1st thru 10th were separated by less than one pound.

Day 1 Session 3 was presented by Bass Pro Shops.  Every angler in the Top 10 received a Bass Pro Shops gift of varying values, with 1st place earning a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card.  The University of North Alabama secured its second session win of the day as Dylan Nutt weighed in a bass going 5.50 pounds.

Two perennial contenders for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia had a strong showing during Session 3 presented by Bass Pro Shops.  Carson-Newman placed two teams in the Top 10 (T-2nd, and T-6th).  Two-time title winner McKendree University placed three anglers in the Top 10 (5th, 6th, 10th).

Harlan Thomas from Top 25 ranked Murray State University won Session 4 presented by Garmin with 6.31 pounds.  That fish also places Harlan in 1st place for Overall Big Bass of the event.  The session victory earned Harlan a $1,500 Garmin credit and $200 Bass Pro Shops gift card.

Session 4 presented by Garmin boasted the best quality of fish weighed in during Day 1 of tournament competition.  One fish over six pounds came to the scales, with five fish in the 5 pound class and four fish in the 4 pound range.

Day 2 will mark the final day of tournament competition for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley.  The field of close to 600 anglers will be going out onto Kentucky Lake permitted to use only Berkley baits.  Weigh-in will be streamed live all day on Outdoor Action.  Additional live coverage and content will be shared across the ACA website and social media channels.