ACA Announces New Date for 2023 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley

The Association of Collegiate anglers is constantly searching for ways to benefit the anglers and help grow the sport of collegiate bass fishing.  Following a successful Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley at Kentucky Lake two weeks ago, the ACA has decided to move the 2023 installment of this event from this upcoming spring to the fall of 2023.  Next year’s Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley will now be contested on September 23-24, 2023 at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN.

“The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is one of our most popular events here with the ACA,” said Wade Middleton, Director of the Association of Collegiate Anglers.  “The recent turnout of close to 500 anglers at Kentucky Lake in the fall was outstanding.  Moving this event to the fall will help to free up a busy spring schedule for these college anglers, and we look forward to continuing the success and legacy of this prestigious tournament next season.”

The 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley hosted anglers representing nearly 50 different schools ranging from California, up to Michigan, and down to Texas.  The no entry fee event was a huge success, awarding over $20,000 in prizes and contingencies, as well as double points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

The first ACA event of the 2022-23 season, the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, generated a ton of excitement and energy around Henry County and Paris, TN.  New college freshmen, and seasoned upperclassmen alike, were eager to get the year started.  This marked many anglers’ first opportunity to get out on the water this school year, as well as a chance to earn some very valuable double points early in the season and set their team up for a run at being ranked in the Top 25, or even number one.

“We always look forward to making the trip to Paris, TN and Kentucky Lake for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley,” noted Kyle Curry, ACA Managing Director.  “Anglers, coaches, and the community in Paris, TN love having this event in town to kick off the fall.  We look forward to returning back next year on September 23-24, 2023 to start another new season on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.”

The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is one of the ACA’s longest running events.  This big bass format event pays out 80 places over the course of two days, with a total payout of more than $20,000 in prizes and contingencies.  Valuable double points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia are also on the line, as first place receives 1,750 points.  Points are then awarded down to 150^th, decreasing by 10-point increments.  The 2023 installment of the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley will be a great event to kick off the 2023-24 season next fall and the ACA looks forward to announcing a variety of new programs and incentives soon that will be in play for that event.

As a result of moving the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley to September 23-24, 2023, the ACA has adjusted tournament dates for the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  That event will now take place October 14-15, 2023 at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR.  The new modified fall schedule will free up a busy spring tournament season, and the ACA looks forward to the fall of 2023!