Arkansas takes the College crown from LSU

University of Arkansas did what it came to do today: steal the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic title from Louisiana State University.

University of Arkansas did what it came to do today: steal the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic title from Louisiana State University.

Arkansas blew away LSU and LSU-Shreveport with a total weight of 26 pounds. Before the Bassmaster Classic anglers took the stage for their final weigh-in tonight, the three schools weighed in their catches from a day of fishing on Cross Lake in Shreveport, La. LSU racked up 18 pounds, 7 ounces, and LSU-Shreveport weighed in with 2 pounds, 14 ounces.

“The fishing was slow,” said Razorback Jared Kennemer. “The fish didn’t start biting till after noon.”

The three two-angler teams bringing in the winning bag for the Razorbacks included Kennemer and Paul Lafleur, Mook Miller and Kyle Billingsly, and Kenneth Anderson and Drew Porto.

“Standing on the Bassmaster Classic stage right now–this is amazing,” Miller said during the weigh-in. “Hopefully I get to do this again someday in my life.”

Each school competing in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic fielded three teams, and each team consisted of two students fishing from one boat. Working within a five-fish limit, the team with the most combined weight after one day of competition won the trophy.

College teams also participate in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series. The collegiate-level tour began in 2005 and now consists of teams of anglers representing more than 50 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. In 2012, the teams will compete for more than $50,000 in cash and prizes, awarded to their school’s fishing teams. One team will send an angler to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. As a result of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series of regional events, two-angler teams are sent to the annual College B.A.S.S. National Championship. The Top 4 schools compete in a bracket format that decides the Bassmaster Classic qualifier.

To be eligible for the Carhartt College Bassmaster Series, schools must be members of the B.A.S.S. College Federation and each member must be a B.A.S.S. member.

2012 Bassmaster Classic Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2012 Bassmaster Classic Supporting Sponsor: Carhartt