BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2023 B.A.S.S. Nation schedule features five opportunities for grass-roots anglers to battle some of the country’s best bass fisheries. Each regional championship will provide opportunities for everyday anglers to qualify for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and a shot at one of three berths in the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.
“As we’ve seen in the past with anglers like 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation champion and two-time Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk and Taylor Smith, who represented the Nation with a Top 10 finish at the 2022 Classic, the B.A.S.S. Nation can be a fantastic opportunity for weekend anglers to fish for big money on a big stage or the gateway to a stellar career in professional fishing,” said B.A.S.S. Vice President of Tournaments Chris Bowes. “All of these anglers are going to have the opportunity to compete on fantastic and historic fisheries. We’re proud to offer three Nation anglers the opportunity to compete in the iconic Bassmaster Classic, where anything is possible.”
The schedule will kick off next spring with the Central Regional on the Arkansas River in Muskogee, Okla., May 3-5. The fishery, known for its variety of structure, has hosted a dozen major B.A.S.S. events, including two Bassmaster Classics and, most recently, a 2020 Bassmaster Open.
After a stop at Douglas Lake in Jefferson County, Tenn., May 24-26 for the Southeast Regional, the schedule will swing to the upper region of the United States in June with the Northeast Regional on the Potomac River in Charles County, Md., June 7-9 and the Northern Regional June 28-30 on Lake Winnebago in Fox Cities, Wis.
The final regular-season event, the Western Regional, along with the date and location for the 2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will be announced at a later date.
The Championship tournament will be made up of qualifiers from all five regionals as well as international anglers and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Angler of the Year. The Top 3 anglers from the overall standings will earn a berth to the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.
The winner of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will earn the title of “Nation’s Best,” which includes the use of a fully-rigged tournament boat for a year, an invitation to join the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series and a cash prize. The second- and third-place finishers and nonboater champion will each earn paid entry fees for all divisions of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens as well.
“The B.A.S.S. Nation local clubs have been the foundation of our organization for more than five decades and mean so much to so many different people,” said GL Compton, tournament director for the B.A.S.S. Nation. “As someone who grew up fishing with the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation, I know that these clubs add so much to the culture and growth of our sport through their conservation efforts and youth events and initiatives.”
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Schedule
Central Regional: May 3-5, Arkansas River, Muskogee, Okla.
Southeast Regional: May 24-26, Douglas Lake, Jefferson County, Tenn.
Northeast Regional: June 7-9, Potomac River, Charles County, Md.
Northern Regional: June 28-30, Lake Winnebago, Fox Cities, Wis.
Western Regional: September 13-15, TBD
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: TNT Fireworks
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC