Hunter Jenkins from DBU Wins Power-Pole for Big Bass Honors at Lake Dardanelle

San Antonio, TX (October 30, 2023) – Each Association of Collegiate Anglers event awards an Overall Big Bass award to the largest fish caught during that particular tournament.  The winner of the Overall Big Bass title receives a certificate for a Power-Pole, a close to $1,500 value.

During the most recent nationally televised, no-entry-fee ACA event, Hunter Jenkins from Top 25 ranked Dallas Baptist University won Overall Big Bass at Lake Dardanelle with a largemouth bass weighing 5.78 pounds.

“To win Big Bass, especially at Lake Dardenelle, feels amazing to say the least and almost like there’s a monkey off my back,” noted Jenkins.  “Not only did we win Big Bass for this event, but just knowing that we found a tournament winning group of fish…was a major confidence booster for us.”

The DBU angler and his fellow teammate opted to fish one of the many pad fields that are abundant at Lake Dardanelle.  Jenkins relied on big gear and heavy line to help him land the prize winning fish.

”In practice we found an area within a pad field that had a heavy concentration of fish living in it and we knew they were of higher quality. Initially we had fished it fairly fast in practice with buzzbaits and caught a few 2 pounders so we left it until the tournament day,” explained Jenkins.  “In order to not only stick the fish, but also get them out of the pads, we had to switch to running 30 lb. Sunline Xplasma Asegai braid on a heavier rod.”

Each ACA major event pays out well over $20,000 in prizes and contingencies.  The Power-Pole Big Bass award has been a staple on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series for many years.  The angler who weighs in the biggest bass of a given tournament receives a Power-Pole gift certificate.  Prize payouts like the Overall Big Bass allow anglers to up their game and equip their boat with top-notch products. 

“The opportunities from the ACA and all of the awesome companies they partner with, like Power-Pole, are truly a blessing, especially for the anglers like me who maybe don’t have all of the best equipment to compete against everyone,” said Jenkins.  “By winning the Power-Pole, my opportunities to compete on a more level playing field, especially in shallow water fisheries, just increased significantly. Overall, winning the Power-Pole is a true blessing and I know not only me, but almost every other angler competing in these tournaments are truly grateful for these opportunities!”