Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Card was the first collegiate angler to qualify and fish the Elite Series. “College bass fishing has grown so much since I graduated from University of Kentucky in 2009, and now high school bass fishing is huge, too! I have wanted to host a tournament to give back to the younger anglers for some time now, and with the help of my great sponsors, I am able to finally make it happen,” said Card.
The first annual event will take place on Norris Lake, Ten., on Nov. 5, 2016. The Brandon Card College & High School Bass Open has a unique format as it will be two tournaments in one. The college anglers only compete against other college anglers and high school against high school. The two divisions will be competing for separate trophies, payouts and prizes where the first place collegiate team will win $2,500, and the top high school team will walk away with $1,500. “Having one huge event will be a lot of fun for the anglers and fans and great exposure for all my sponsors that have made it happen.”
Norris Lake is the lake that Brandon grew up on and where he learned to bass fish. It is a deep, clear highland reservoir that has a great population of smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass. “My favorite time to fish Norris is during the colder months, and we are hitting it perfect at the first of November. Big smallies will be caught deep on the main lake, and the largemouth will be found in the shallows of all the many creeks that Norris Lake has to offer.”
The presenting sponsors that make this event possible are Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, Suzuki Marine and Buff Inc. Associate sponsors include Yo-Zuri, Fishsens Technology, Abu Garcia, Lowrance, Empire Covers, Gary Yamamoto, Bob’s Machine Shop and Boater’s Insurance Agency. For more information visit the Facebook event page on www.facebook.com/BrandonCardFishing or email cardbassopen@yahoo.com.