Bassmasters College Series On Douglas Lake

B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization, will host the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops, May 11-13, on Cherokee Lake in Jefferson City, Tenn.

The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops pits teams of college anglers against one another for cash, prizes, bragging rights and the holy grail of college fishing: an invitation to compete with the pros in the $1 million GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

The prestigious College Series consists of regional tournaments in five conferences: Southern, Eastern, Midwestern, Western and Central. More than 150 boats are expected to compete in the College Series Eastern Regional this weekend.

In the qualifying event, two-person teams will try to catch the heaviest five-bass limits on each of the three competition days. The Top 21 teams will go on to compete in the College Series National Championship. In which, the Top 4 teams from the National Championship will qualify for the Classic Bracket event, where each angler competes individually for a berth in the Bassmaster Classic.

The College Series has become proving grounds for future Elite Series pros, including brothers Matt and Jordan Lee — who are current Elite Series pros. Jordan Lee of Cullman, Ala., produced an impressive comeback to earn the most coveted title in all of bass fishing — the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic champion. The young world champion made it clear that rising through the Bassmaster College Series ranks was key to his success.

Another Bassmaster College Series contender, Dustin Connell — also an Elite Series pro — posted his first championship at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett, April 27-May 1.

“Having the opportunity to grow and test my tournament prowess at the college level was essential to preparing to fish fulltime at the top level,” Connell said. “I’d say to every college angler out there that ‘You can do this, also. If you have a dream to be a professional bass angler, it starts with entering tournaments at the high school level, and continuing on in the Bassmaster College Series. Dreams do come true.’”

From watching the first boats take off at 6:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, May 11, to the final weigh-in at Carson-Newman University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., all activities and venues are free and open to the public.

 The event is hosted by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, Tenn. and Carson-Newman University.

 A schedule of activities planned throughout the weekend at the Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional include:

 Schedule of Events

*All times are tentative

 Thursday, May 11

6:30 a.m. The full field of anglers launch on Cherokee Lake. Public launch viewing is available each day from the Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp (28095 North Hwy. 92, Jefferson City, Tenn.).

2:30 p.m. Official weigh-in takes place at the Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp.

Friday, May 12

6:30 a.m. The full field of anglers take off from the Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp.

2:30 p.m. Official weigh-in takes place at the Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp.

Saturday, May 13

6:30 a.m. The final take off will take place at the Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp.

3:30 p.m. Final official weigh-in takes place at Carson-Newman University (1645 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, Tenn. 37760).