New Bassmaster College Series trails fill quickly; creates historic level of opportunity for anglers

After the organization implemented a new two-division format for 2024, 500 teams from 78 schools will be able to compete in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops. 

Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.

November 14, 2023

New Bassmaster College Series trails fill quickly; creates historic level of opportunity for anglers

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When B.A.S.S. announced a change to the format of their already wildly popular 2024 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops the organization felt that a two-division format — with each team limited to competing in just one division — would open the door for more teams to compete.

After registration saw both College Series divisions fill in record time — the Legends Trail in 21 minutes and the Lunkers Trail in just 17 minutes — a staggering 500 teams from 78 schools are set to compete for the Bassmaster College Team of the Year title and an opportunity to compete in the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s.

“Over the past few years, even with expanding our field size, B.A.S.S. had massive waiting lists of more than 400 teams that wanted to compete in our College Series events,” said Glenn Cale, tournament manager for the College, High School and Junior Series. “We knew that creating this new format and eliminating those waiting lists would open avenues for more teams to compete, but to come out of registration with a 230% increase in individual teams competing, including a handful of schools who haven’t competed in B.A.S.S. events previously, is huge for the long-term growth and health of our sport.”

In 2023, 150 teams competed for the Team of the Year title, which was won by Easton Fothergill and Nick Dumke from the University of Montevallo. Fothergill would go on to claim the College Classic Bracket title and will compete at the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.

Over the course of the three-event season, each of the 250 teams competing in the two divisions will be competing against other teams in their division for valuable Team of the Year points. The Top 20 from each division’s TOY standings, as well as the Top 10% of the field from each event, will qualify for the College Series National Championship. Alongside the Top 20 anglers in each division and tournament qualifiers, the National Championship event will also include up to two qualifiers from each state’s B.A.S.S. Nation College circuit.

The Top 3 teams in the overall Bassmaster College Team of the Year standings — regardless of division — and the National Champions will advance to the College Classic Bracket to compete head-to-head in bracket-style competition for a berth in the iconic Bassmaster Classic.

“If registration is any indication, the 2024 Bassmaster College Series season is poised to be the biggest and most intense yet,” said Cale. “Young anglers are hungry to compete at the top level and make bass fishing history.”

2024 Bassmaster College Series Schedule

Legends Trail

January 26-27, Lake Murray, Lexington, S.C.April 18-19, Kentucky Lake, Paris, Tenn.June 6-7, Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Mich.

Lunkers Trail

February 1-2, Clarks Hill Reservoir, Columbia, Ga.March 7-8, Douglas Lake, Jefferson, Tenn.May 16-17, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jasper, Texas

Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: ToyotaBassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, YamahaBassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: 13 Fishing, Seaguar, Shimano

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