Monday, May 20th – 8:30 PM

Wilson and Pickwick Lakes are the playing field for this week’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.   400 of the top collegiate anglers will be going out onto these two Tennessee River fisheries in search of the fish that will help them win a National Championship.  Read the lake preview article here to learn more about both lakes, the current fishing conditions, and weather forecasts.

Monday, May 20th – 8:00 PM

Rapala is the title sponsor of the #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast.  Leading up to this week’s Championship event, host Kyle Curry was joined by anglers from Blue Mountain Christian University.  On episode 205 of the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast, we preview the fishing on Pickwick Lake and talk further about the event.  Listen to the latest podcast here.

Monday, May 20th – 7:50 PM

Day 2 of official practice for the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops is coming to a close.  Hear from Austin Shields with the University of Rio Grande Bass Fishing Team as he talks about the fishing out on Pickwick Lake!

Monday, May 20th – 7:15 PM

Sunline will be present at the Angler & Sponsor Banquet on Wednesday night to support anglers competing in the ACA National Championship.  Competitors will be able to bring one reel to the meeting to spool up with free Sunline.  The Sunline spooling station is a crowd favorite throughout the years, and thank you to Sunline for their help and support!

Monday, May 20th – 7:00 PM

The Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops is set to pay out over $30,000 in prizes in contingencies.  One of those contingencies available to anglers participating in the event is Ranger Cup.  Eligible anglers could earn up to an additional $8,000.  Find out more about Ranger Cup and sign up now at this link.

Monday, May 20th – 6:05 PM

With a majority of the 200 boat field having their sights set on fishing out deep, one of the cool factors to keep an eye on this week is to see what kind of baits the anglers opt to throw.  Out on Pickwick Lake during the summer months, a deep diving crankbait is always a player.  SPRO offers several different types that would be good choices to use over the next few days. 

The first one is the Outsider Crank DD 80.  Designed by Cory Johnston, Chris Johnston, and John Crews, SPRO’s new line of Outsider Crankbaits change the game. The weight on the outside of the bait leads to effortless casting and boasts a more responsive action. 

  • Deep Diver
  • Size: 80 mm
  • Weight: 1.25 oz.
  • Depth: 19-21 ft. 
  • Hook: Gamakatsu #1 (347210) G-Finesse (Medium Heavy) Treble

Monday, May 20th – 3:40 PM

The Bass Pro Shops Tournament Support team is set up at McFarland Park to assist anglers competing in the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.  For anglers having boat troubles or needing assistance, stop by!  Special thanks to Bass Pro Shops for their support of college anglers and having the Tournament Support team on-site this week.

Monday, May 20th – 2:15 PM

Garmin offers a contingency bonus program that is available at each ACA event to qualified anglers.  New for this year, Garmin Tournament Rewards pays out two different contingencies: Mounted Equipment Reward, and Force Reward.  The Mounted Equipment Reward awards $300 to the top placing angler who competes from a boat equipped exclusively with mounted Garmin marine electronics.  For the Force Reward, a reward of $200 is given to the top placing angler at the event with a Garmin Force Trolling Motor installed.

Garmin Tournament Rewards is a premier contingency program that is available to qualified anglers at all ACA events. Find out more details here.

Monday, May 20th – 1:45 PM

This year, Abu Garcia is again offering its Trade-In and Trade-Up program to anglers competing in the ACA National Championship.

At the Angler & Sponsor Banquet on Wednesday night of Championship Week, anglers will be able to bring an old reel, of any brand, to trade in and receive a new Abu Garcia Revo5 SX or Revo3 SX reel.  The old reels that are donated will go to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for usage in various programs.

Details

  • Bring in any old reel, no matter the brand, and get a new Abu Garcia Revo5 SX or Revo3 SX

Monday, May 20th – 12:25 PM

The presenting sponsor of today’s blog is Power-Pole.

The Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops will award over $30,000 in prizes and contingencies at the conclusion of competition on Friday.  Along with the valuable prizes and points up for grabs, the overall big bass of the event will be awarded a new Power-Pole.  Power-Pole supports the ACA and student anglers in a variety of ways, including the awarding of a Power-Pole to the Overall Big Bass winner at each ACA tournament.

Monday, May 20th – 10:15 AM

2024 marks the 19th edition of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.  The Association of Collegiate Anglers hosted its first National Championship event in 2006.  The event has grown into a 200 boat field of the nation’s most elite teams competing for more than $30,000 in prizes and contingencies.

Championship Week for the ACA is one of the biggest events of the year for college fishing.  Not only do hundreds of teams from all across the country travel to compete in this prestigious event, many of the ACA’s series partners are on-hand to support anglers and provide them with free swag to add to their fishing arsenal. 

Along with the prizes and prestige, this tournament will award triple points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  With very little time remaining in this points race, each point is extremely valuable as teams work to finish as high up as possible in college fishing’s only all encompassing National Rankings system.

The presenting sponsor of this week’s event is Bass Pro Shops.  The 2024 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops is the 19th edition of college fishing’s longest running National Championship.

Bass Pro Shops representatives will be present at the Angler & Sponsor Banquet on Wednesday night to support the anglers.  Throughout this week, we will highlight the many programs and ways in which Bass Pro Shops supports the ACA and anglers nationwide.

Monday, May 20th – 9:15 AM

Weather is always an important factor to keep track of throughout this week.  Several key things to keep an eye on: rain, and clouds.

First, let’s take a look at rain.  Currently, there is a chance for rain on and off throughout the competition days.  Some of the rain and storms are forecasted to occur early in the day, but most of the weather appears to be building in the afternoon as the temperatures warm.  Also at play on this Tennessee River system is current.  Any significant amount of rain that impacts the area could result in the gates being opened up at the dam, generating moving water up and down the fishery.  When this happens, the bite will turn on and anglers can catch a lot of fish.

Next, we’ll take a look at clouds.  Each day this week has a chance for considerable cloud cover.  This will cause the fish to suspend and roam, making them slightly harder to target.  When the sun gets high and there are no clouds, the fish will position tight to the offshore structure and be more predictable.  The clouds, or lack there of, during competition will have an impact on anglers’ success.

Monday, May 20th – 8:00 AM

Good morning from Florence, AL for the second day of official practice at the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops!  Today’s live blog is presented by Power-Pole.  Throughout the day, we will be providing you with updates from official practice, as well as taking a look at the festivities and incentives available to anglers.

Thanks for following along, and stay tuned throughout the day for more insight and analysis!