The Largest Bass Fishing Tournament in History Kicks off in Missouri

November 13, 2021
Tournament News Archive

WHAT:           

The Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships – a first-of-its-kind amateur fishing tournament offering the biggest payout in freshwater fishing history – will conclude on Table Rock Lake from Nov. 19-21 and be broadcast to an international television audience on NBC.

With proceeds benefiting conservation, the fan-friendly event is a true celebration of bass fishing with a guaranteed purse value of $4.3 million and $1 million for the first-place team. The festive environment at the three-day National Championship will include activities for the entire family beginning daily at 11 a.m.

 

WHEN:           

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18

  Location: Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy, Ridgedale, Mo.

  • 5-6 PM – Championship Captain’s Meeting

 

  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19

  Location: Long Creek Marina, Ridgedale, Mo.

  • 6:30-7 AM – National Championship “Lines In” Ceremony & Championship Kickoff
  •  1-2 PM – Johnny Morris Happy Fishin’ Kids Contest Winners Announced; 10 Kids Winners awarded a new TRACKER Classic XL Boat
  • 2-4:30 PM – Angler Weigh-in Underway
  • 4-4:15 PM – Johnny Morris Missouri Veterans Fishin’ Contest Winner awarded a new TRACKER Classic XL Boat
  • 4:15-5 PM – Angler Awards Ceremony; Top 200 teams advance to fish on Saturday

 

  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20

  Location: Long Creek Marina, Ridgedale, Mo.

  • 6:30-7 AM – National Championship “Lines In” Ceremony and Day 2 Begins
  • 7:30 AM – 12 PM – Johnny Morris Happy Fishin’ Kids Contest Winners participate in boating and fishing demo with celebrity anglers Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin and Kevin VanDam
  • 2-3:30 PM – Angler Weigh-in Underway
  • 3:30 – 4:30 PM – Angler Awards Ceremony announcing Special Division Winners
  • 4:30 – 5 PM – Angler Awards Ceremony announcing Top 50 teams advancing to Sunday final

 

  SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21

  Location: Long Creek Marina, Ridgedale, Mo.

  • 6:30-7 AM – National Championship Finale “Lines In” Ceremony
  • 1:30-2 PM – US Open Kids Fishing Competition Weigh-in and Awards Ceremony
  • 3-4 PM – Final National Championship Weigh-in
  • 4-5 PM – Final Angler Awards Ceremony; $1 Million Grand Prize Awarded to First Place Team
  • 5 PM – Championship Celebration & Special Guests

                       

WHO:             

Amateur anglers from more than 34 states, Germany, Japan, Romania and Spain

10 young anglers (ages 17 and under), winners of the nationwide Johnny Morris Happy Fishin’ Kids Contest, who will be awarded their own boat on Friday and participate in US Open National Championship festivities as a grand prize

One deserving veteran angler from Missouri, winner of the Missouri Veterans Fishin’ Contest winner, who will be awarded their own boat on Friday and participate in US Open National Championship festivities as a grand prize

Celebrity anglers Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, Kevin VanDam

National Fish Habitat Partnership representatives

Missouri Department of Conservation representatives

Vendor displays from Toyota, Columbia Sportswear, Coca-Cola and ORCA, and a Bass Pro Shops pop-up shop

           

WHERE:        

Angler Registration/Captain’s Meeting (Nov. 18)

Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy

1901 State Hwy 86

Ridgedale, MO 65739

 

All Bass Pro Shops US Open Activities (Nov. 19-21)

Long Creek Marina

1368 Long Creek Road

Ridgedale, MO 65739