Anglers Earn Automatic Qualification Into the Association of Collegiate Anglers’ Historic 20th National Championship

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SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 26, 2024) – Close to 600 of college fishing’s top anglers competed in the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley this past weekend.  This event is the first of the season for the Association of Collegiate Anglers, featuring zero entry-fee, is nationally televised, awards double points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, and it kicks off the historic 20th season.   This year’s event, once again, was contested on Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN.

The collegiate bass fishing event paid out $40,000 in prizes and contingencies while also allowing anglers an opportunity to earn automatic qualification into the 2025 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops to take place at Lake Hartwell in May.  Each of the Top 10 in the final event standings from Kentucky Lake earned automatic qualification into the historic 20th edition of college fishing’s longest-running National Championship tournament.

Here is a look at the official Top 10 in the final standings for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley:

1 – Evan Mabrey –University of Montevallo

2 – Jonah Durden – Webber International University

3 – Brant Rowland – Drury University

4 – Noah Daniels – Itawamba Community College

5  – Zach Pocos – McKendree University

T-6 – Storm Clark – University of Montevallo

T-6 – Alex Gore – Carson-Newman University

8 – Will Burch – Murray State University

9 – Carter Nutt – University of North Alabama

T-10 – Christian Moore – Tarleton State University

T-10 – Dalton DeFelice –University of Montevallo

A total of 11 automatic qualification spots were awarded at the first ACA event of the 20th season, due to a tie for 10th.  6th ranked University of Montevallo was the only team to earn multiple automatic qualifications at Kentucky Lake, the four-time defending Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia title holder claimed three spots. 3rd ranked University of North Alabama earned an automatic qualifying spot, as Carter Nutt placed in 9th. Paired with the additional spot for being the defending winner of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, UNA has two qualifications in addition to the standard criteria.

As a Top 10 finisher at the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, anglers automatically qualify to compete in the 2025 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. These qualified anglers may choose another angler from their bass fishing team to compete with at the ACA’s 20thNational Championship.

The 2025 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops will be contested at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC on May 22-23, 2025.  To view the complete Championship Qualification Criteria, click here.