BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will return to Monroe, La., and the Ouachita River, Nov. 5-7, B.A.S.S. announced today.
“B.A.S.S. has had such great experiences in Monroe that we’re extremely excited to return,” said Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director. “This will be our third championship on the river, and the competition, as in years past, could be tough.”
Competitors from all over the world will convene in northeastern Louisiana for a chance to represent their respective divisions and earn a spot in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro held on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, March 4-6.
“It is a privilege to be hosting the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in Monroe, LA on the Ouachita River,” said Scott Bruscato of the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We look forward to welcoming anglers from across the world as they take a step to fulfill their dreams on becoming the next champion. As the host community, we appreciate the opportunity to play a small part in naming the next 2015 B.A.S.S. Nation champion.”
With 47 states, the Canadian province of Ontario and nine countries, the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship is the premier worldwide amateur championship. Also, the Paralyzed Veterans of American Tour will send its Angler of the Year winner to compete.
The fishery was also the site of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, where Connecticut angler Paul Mueller earned the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy and a berth in the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“The Ouachita River can be a challenge, but national championships should be challenging,” Stewart said. “This river has produced two Elite Series anglers through the B.A.S.S. Nation — Jamie Horton and Paul Mueller.”
Along with the competition, the championship offers a unique opportunity for leaders within the B.A.S.S. Nation to come together, share ideas and discuss developments.
“This is an important week for the B.A.S.S. Nation,” Stewart said. “This week allows us to conduct leadership meetings with the states and foreign members to discuss future growth within the B.A.S.S Nation. Our leadership summits are critical to the advancement and success of the Nation.”
Some competitors have already earned their qualifications through the Western and Southern Divisionals, as well as two foreign competitions in Mexico and Italy.
The next batch of anglers to qualify for the championship will do so during the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional held on Ross Barnett Reservoir, June 10-12, followed by a Mid-Atlantic and Northern Divisional. The final group of anglers will be determined in Connecticut during the Eastern Divisional in September.
The winner of each division at the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will be invited to compete in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro in Tulsa, Okla. Six spots in the world championship of bass fishing are allocated to the B.A.S.S. Nation.
To keep up with updates regarding the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, visit Bassmaster.com.