Big prizes, no fee in Fantasy Fishing

For a total sum of zero dollars, you can play Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, with the possibility of winning a shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops or even a boat.

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — The 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series kicks off March 13 at Lake Seminole. And you can compete for prizes right alongside the pros — and you don’t even have to pay an entry fee!

For a total sum of zero dollars, you can play Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, with the possibility of winning a shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops or even a boat. That’s right: You could win a boat just for playing Fantasy Fishing.

Now, Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing is open, and you can set your team for the first Elite Series event of the season.

Whether or not you played it during the Classic doesn’t matter. If you did well, it was good for bragging rights, and if you were the top player, you won a prize. But your Classic scores do not count toward your overall score for the season, so if you experienced an epic fail during the Classic (or didn’t play at all), you’re still in the running for a boat at the end of the year.

If you’ve never played Fantasy Fishing before, here’s how to do it. Remember, it’s free to play, and winners get rewarded with fantastic prizes.

Registration

To enter, fill out the free registration form at the top of this page. After registering, click on the “Create Entry” button on the game’s front page to participate in the game. A valid username and password will be used as an identifier to log in to game play and to keep track of your team’s score and standing. You will be able to see your team’s score any time you return to the game with your username and password.

Name Your Entry

After you have signed in, you will be prompted with a red “Create Entry” button. After you click on the button you will be automatically redirected to the “Entry Settings” page where you will be asked to name your entry and decide whether you would like to receive email reminders.

Name your entry: Use the text box to determine how your entry will be displayed in the game.

Email Reminders: Use the radio buttons to select whether or not you’d like to receive email reminders pertaining to game locks and game rules.

Once you have completed your game settings, click on the “Save Settings” button.

Choose your Team

To assemble your team, first select an angler slot from the roster area at the left side of the screen. Then, in the table to the right, select an individual angler from the free agent list by clicking the green ADD button icon next to his name. Repeat the process until you have selected an angler in each group for a total of five anglers. Click the “Save Roster” button in the top left corner above your roster.

Create or Join a Group (Optional)

You have the option to group yourself with friends, co-workers or random fans by joining or creating a group. Within each group, your entry will be automatically ranked. Most of the groups in the game are public and can be joined at any time. If you want to play with a specific group of people you know, create a private group and make it only accessible to those whom you have given the group password. The creator of a group sets the group’s name, motto, image, message and password (if desired). More information is in the Group Directory page. There is no prize awarded for being the top entrant in your group.

Scoring

The number of points a Fantasy Fishing player earns is based on a scoring system similar to the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points, in which an angler is awarded points based on his final standing in each event.

Prizes

If you pick the top anglers in the tournament, you could win! The overall best Fantasy Fishing player from each Elite Series event wins a $2,500 Bass Pro Shops gift card! (Residents of Canada may play but are not eligible to win a prize.)

If you pick the top anglers consistently and have the best points total at the end of the season, you’ll win a Triton 18XS boat with a Mercury 150 Pro XS motor, Lowrance Mark 5X Fishfinder, MotorGuide FW 75 24V trolling motor and a single-axle trailer. The total value of the prize is $32,232.

So don’t delay! Click here to register for Fantasy Fishing.