Register for the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley
San Antonio, TX (July 10, 2024) – The 2024-25 season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series will mark a historic milestone for the Association of Collegiate Anglers. The ACA will be celebrating its 20th anniversary of operating collegiate bass fishing tournaments. Each ACA major tournament is a no-entry-fee, double points event which will feature media coverage on a variety of streaming platforms, live coverage, social media promotions and is nationally televised on several networks. The first event of the 2024-25 season will be the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented Berkley. The event to be held at Kentucky Lake on September 21st and 22nd is one of the longest running collegiate fishing events in the nation.
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley will be contested on Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN. This ACA event features no-entry-fee for college anglers and is a nationally televised, big bass format tournament paying out a total of 80 individual places. The tournament payout will boast over $25,000 in prizes and contingencies, along with double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
Register for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley.
“We are extremely excited for this historical 20th anniversary season to kick off at Kentucky Lake with the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley,” said Wade Middleton, ACA Director and CarecoTV President. “The 2024-25 season is the 20th year for our tournament organization, the Association of Collegiate Anglers. Kentucky Lake, and the communities of Henry County & Paris, TN, have played an integral part in the growth of collegiate fishing and our series. In fact the ACA has been contesting major events here for over 15 years out of Paris Landing thanks to the relationship we’ve had. ”
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is a two-day, big bass format event consisting of a total of seven weigh-in sessions. On the first day of tournament competition, there will be four weigh-in sessions, with each session paying out the Top 10 biggest bass for that hour. During Day 2, there will be three weigh-in sessions. The first two sessions will pay out the Top 10 biggest bass, and the final session of the day will award prizes to the Top 20.
On Day 2 of tournament competition, anglers will be permitted to use only Berkley baits. The Berkley baits only rule on Day 2 creates a lot of excitement and buzz amongst the anglers. The award-winning lineup of Berkley baits is comprised of hard baits and soft plastics that can catch prize winning Kentucky Lake bass on any cast. Multiple times in the past, the overall biggest bass of the event has been caught on Day 2 of tournament competition.
Read more about the Berkley baits only rules and view the complete rules for the event here.
In 2023, the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley set a new attendance record for this event. Close to 600 of the top collegiate anglers traveled to Henry County and Paris, TN to compete at Kentucky Lake. This is the first ACA double points event of the season to be contested, and college bass fishing teams from across the country are eager to get the new school year started.
“We cannot wait to kick off the ACA’s 20th season at Kentucky Lake in just a few months,” noted Kyle Curry, ACA Managing Director. “The event format, location, and valuable prizes & points up for grabs make this a great event to start the 2024-25 season on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.”
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley will be the first ACA double points event in the 2024-25 race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Being one of the first major college events to count for points in this cycle, the event will be crucial in defining who the early contenders are to win the title come season’s end.
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is the first event on the calendar for the ACA’s historic 20th season. From day one, the ACA has strived to bring expansive media coverage to share the achievements of the competitors on the trail, as well as provide exposure and brand awareness to the companies and products that partnered with the organization. Our goal since that first event was to provide major events without an entry fee or membership, while also providing programs to help more anglers get on the water and pursue their passions. Throughout the 2024-25 season, the ACA is excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This is a major milestone for the organization, student anglers, and series partners. Over the next 12 months, the ACA will be introducing new programs, promotions and features across digital media, as well as look backs at some of the great moments that have occurred over the years.
