Each year the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s serves as an incredible opportunity for a collegiate angler to make his dreams come true, and also provides one of the most action-packed, entertaining events of the season.
Here’s what you need to know before competition begins on Friday, September 26th.
Where / What Time
The 2025 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s will be held at Watauga Lake in Butler, Tenn.
Takeoff
7 a.m. ET
Cove Ridge Marina & Resort
Weigh-in
3:00 p.m ET
Cove Ridge Marina & Resort
2025 Format
The College Classic Bracket will operate with the same format as 2024. All competitors will compete for the first two days against each other to bring their heaviest five fish to the scales. The four heaviest weights after two days will advance to Semifinal Sunday, where weights will be zeroed. Brackets begin on Semifinal Sunday and pit No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. The two heaviest bags will advance to Championship Monday, where weights will zero once again.
The angler with the heaviest bag on Championship Monday will win a 2026 Bassmaster Classic berth, the use of a Toyota Tundra and Nitro boat — both wrapped in school colors and logos — for one year, paid entry into the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN division of their choice for a year and $7,500.
Meet the Competitors
The winners of the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops — Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton from Lander University — received a berth into the College Classic Bracket to compete against three other teams:
- The 2025 Bassmaster College Series overall Team of the Year — Bryce Dimauro and Tripp Berlinsky from the University of North Alabama
- The Lunkers Trail Team of the Year — Zachary Helton and Blake Wheat from Carson Newman University
- The Legends Trail Team of the Year — Grant Pursiful and Ben Burns of Stephen F. Austin University
How to Watch
Click here to see how and where to watch the action go down!
