SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bass Pro Shops today announced the introduction of the Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships. Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris had a dream to create “the ultimate owner’s appreciation event” while benefitting conservation. The invites owners of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats to compete in two-person teams. With proceeds benefitting conservation and the future of fishing, the event is being created exclusively for amateurs including serious weekend tournament anglers, parents, grandparents, and youngsters, giving everyday anglers, friends, and families the chance to win.
- The prize totals: Competitors will be rewarded with a total guaranteed purse value of $4.3 million. The national championship team wins a $1 million cash prize – the largest cash payout of any single freshwater fishing tournament in history. Conservation wins too, with a minimum of $1 million going to improve fish habitat.
- Build your own team with a fishing buddy or family member: Registration is open exclusively for amateur anglers. To help grow the sport, regional and international qualifier events will feature division payouts for youth, family teams, all-female teams, veterans, and more. Additional prizes will be offered for the biggest bass and other categories. Johnny is awarding one lucky junior angler (ages 11 – 18) a $250,000 scholarship toward a conservation-related area of study.
- Rewarding customer loyalty and supporting conservation: As a thank you to loyal customers, the event is open to owners of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brands.
Entry and Qualifying Process
There are three ways anglers can qualify for a chance to compete in the national championship event:
1. Finish in the top 40 at one of eight regional qualifier events: Each regional qualifying event will be open to 250 two-person teams. Regional qualifiers will take place at these locations:
- Lake Okeechobee, Fla. – March 13, 2021
- Lake Ray Roberts (Dallas), Texas – April 17, 2021
- Lake Mead, Nev. – April 24, 2021
- Chesapeake Bay, Md. – July 17, 2021
- Lake St. Clair (Detroit), Mich. – Aug. 21, 2021
- Old Hickory Lake (Nashville), Tenn. – Sept. 11, 2021
- Grand Lake ‘O the Cherokees (Tulsa), Okla – Oct. 16, 2021
- Last Chance Qualifier: Bull Shoals Lake, Ark. – Nov. 17, 2021
- Culminating in the Grand Championship finale for those who qualify: Table Rock Lake, Mo. – Nov. 19, 2021
In addition, each qualifier event will feature celebrity weighmasters and guests such as country music star Chris Janson and fishing legends like Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, Kevin VanDam, Ott DeFoe, Timmy Horton and more. Additional weighmasters and celebrity guests will be announced prior to each qualifier.
Note: Online registration for the first three regional qualifiers will be open for 24 hours beginning at 10 AM CT on February 10, 2021.
Entry fees are $450 per person, $250 for youth ages 12 – 17, and free for kids under 12. Entry includes a US Open Gift Bag for each team member with exclusive goods valued at $150. Most importantly, entry fees will go to conservation and the future of fishing.
Boat owners can only register for one qualifying event, with all entrants placed in an independently verified drawing to determine the 250 teams eligible for each event. Individuals who do not receive a slot in the regional qualifiers can register for the “last chance” qualifier on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, with registration opening later this year.
2. Win one of several existing fishing competitions across the United States and around the world organized by authorized independent dealers of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker.
3. We’re also proud to make eligible the winning teams from the three major national collegiate championships: As a continued investment in the future of the sport, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops will honor the collegiate fishing champions of the three top college trail events with an invitation to the championship with special prizes and recognition for this division.
3-Day Championship Finale at Big Cedar Lodge on Missouri’s Legendary Table Rock Lake
The National Championship will take place in November on Table Rock Lake in Missouri’s beautiful Ozark Mountains. Internationally televised on NBC, the 3-day championship will be hosted by Bass Pro Shops’ Big Cedar Lodge.
The National Championship will consist of a 5-fish limit each day, with overall weight recorded determining the champion at the conclusion of the three-day competition. Awaiting the champion is the $1 million cash prize. The angler who catches the biggest bass receives a 21’ fiberglass RANGER, NITRO or TRITON bass boat, a TOYOTA Tundra truck and other prizes.
The event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, November 21, followed by a feature special airing on NBC later this year.
Note: There is no additional entry fee to participate in the final championship event for those who qualify in regional events.
Anglers to Help Raise Over $1 Million for Conservation and the Future of Fishing
The tournaments will benefit local fish habitat with proceeds supporting The National Fish Habitat Initiative. One-third of all entry fees will directly support the project. Bass Pro Shops will match each donation as will Toyota, a longstanding conservation partner, enabling an amount equal to 100 percent of all entry fees – over $1 million – to benefit conservation.