PARIS, TN – The first Association of Collegiate Anglers event, the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash tournament on Kentucky Lake, is in the books. Conditions set up just right for anglers to get plenty of bites and cross the stage back at Paris Landing State Park with some quality fish. Cole Dodson from number one ranked University of Montevallo held the Day 1 lead with 5.75 pounds. Dodson fended off close to 400 of the best anglers in college bass fishing to take the overall victory at the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash.
As the overall winner of the event, Dodson won a prize package valued at over $4,000. That first-place prize payout consisted of a Power-Pole gift certificate, Bob’s Machine Shop JackPlate, $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, Tactacam Fish-i camera, Abu Garcia product, HydroWave H2, and a T-H Marine kit. By claiming top overall honors, Dodson earned an additional $250 for the ACA logo contingency. Combined with the Garmin LiveScope system and Bass Pro Shops gift cards he earned for winning Day 1 Session 4 presented by Garmin, Dodson leaves Kentucky Lake with over $6,000 in prizes and contingencies.
By winning first place overall, Dodson earned 1,000 points for his school to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Montevallo entered this event with a close to 2,000 point lead over second-place McKendree University. A first-place finish, paired with Montevallo’s next highest finishing fish, will earn them well over 1,000 points combined when the standings are updated later this week.