Brandon Card hosts college and high school event

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Card organized his first ever College and High School Bass Open on Norris Lake on November 5, 2016.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Card organized his first ever College and High School Bass Open on Norris Lake on November 5, 2016.
Teams gathered the evening of November 4th at Campbell County High School for the registration briefing and dinner. Card's Suzuki wrapped truck and boat directed anglers and parents in the correct direction.
Teams gathered the evening of November 4th at Campbell County High School for the registration briefing and dinner. Card’s Suzuki wrapped truck and boat directed anglers and parents in the correct direction.
The Campbell County Chamber of Commerce helped with the registration process for both the high school and college divisions.
The Campbell County Chamber of Commerce helped with the registration process for both the high school and college divisions.
Meanwhile Brandon Card was arranging the goodies that would be available for the anglers later in the meeting.
Meanwhile Brandon Card was arranging the goodies that would be available for the anglers later in the meeting.
There were baits from Gary Yamamoto and Fish Head Spin given to anglers as well as Buff neck gators and gloves to shield the sun.
There were baits from Gary Yamamoto and Fish Head Spin given to anglers as well as Buff neck gators and gloves to shield the sun.
There were individually packaged gloves ranging in sizes for the young fishermen.
There were individually packaged gloves ranging in sizes for the young fishermen.
With over 100 expected anglers, the sponsors supplied plenty of goodies.
With over 100 expected anglers, the sponsors supplied plenty of goodies.
Before the briefing began, anglers grabbed a bite to eat provided by Coal Creek Smokehouse BBQ.
Before the briefing began, anglers grabbed a bite to eat provided by Coal Creek Smokehouse BBQ.
The event was held on Norris Lake in Jacksboro, Tennessee and teams from Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and even a college team from Kansas showed up.
The event was held on Norris Lake in Jacksboro, Tennessee and teams from Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and even a college team from Kansas showed up.
Card's alma mater, the University of Kentucky, showed up for the event.
Card’s alma mater, the University of Kentucky, showed up for the event.
The college winners of Card's event had a $2,500 prize waiting for them after the weigh-in.
The college winners of Card’s event had a $2,500 prize waiting for them after the weigh-in.
Two out-of-state schools came to support the event. Clemson came from South Carolina while Kansas State drove 13 hours to fish.
Two out-of-state schools came to support the event. Clemson came from South Carolina while Kansas State drove 13 hours to fish.
After grabbing a bite to eat, Brandon Card started the briefing as he broke down how the event would be organized from takeoff to weigh-in, including tournament logistics.
After grabbing a bite to eat, Brandon Card started the briefing as he broke down how the event would be organized from takeoff to weigh-in, including tournament logistics.
Card felt the need to give back to the College and High School anglers since he was the first college angler to qualify for the Elite Series a few years ago.
Card felt the need to give back to the College and High School anglers since he was the first college angler to qualify for the Elite Series a few years ago.
There was a handout explaining where takeoff would be and the length limit of fish.
There was a handout explaining where takeoff would be and the length limit of fish.
Time for the competitors to grab some goodies.
Time for the competitors to grab some goodies.
As a fisherman Card likes goodies too, but he enjoyed seeing the kids faces light up.
As a fisherman Card likes goodies too, but he enjoyed seeing the kids faces light up.
It was 70 degrees on Friday, but anglers were greeted with chilly temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's on tournament morning.
It was 70 degrees on Friday, but anglers were greeted with chilly temperatures in the high 30’s and low 40’s on tournament morning.
The University of Tennessee showed up with a Skeeter in its team colors.
The University of Tennessee showed up with a Skeeter in its team colors.
As boats launched the fog began to settle in.
As boats launched the fog began to settle in.
That didn't halt the National Anthem as Card still conducted the tournament like they are ran at Elite Series events.
That didn’t halt the National Anthem as Card still conducted the tournament like they are ran at Elite Series events.
He used a megaphone to inform anglers there would be a fog delay to insure the safety of the field.
He used a megaphone to inform anglers there would be a fog delay to insure the safety of the field.
The fog broke soon after and Card sent the college and high school anglers onto Norris Lake for a day of competition.
The fog broke soon after and Card sent the college and high school anglers onto Norris Lake for a day of competition.
Norris provided a picturesque view of the fall colors in East Tennessee.
Norris provided a picturesque view of the fall colors in East Tennessee.
High School anglers could fish in teams or solo, but they needed a boat captain with them. Anglers fished and landed fish on their own.
High School anglers could fish in teams or solo, but they needed a boat captain with them. Anglers fished and landed fish on their own.
Over 50 teams showed up combined for the two divisions.
Over 50 teams showed up combined for the two divisions.
Georgetown College from Kentucky was one of the schools represented.
Georgetown College from Kentucky was one of the schools represented.
I passed by another school as they were packing up their rods to head to another spot.
I passed by another school as they were packing up their rods to head to another spot.
Another team had the same idea as they were on the move as well.
Another team had the same idea as they were on the move as well.
Tennessee angler Caleb Coffey fished solo on Norris. He already had a keeper in the boat on a stingy Norris Lake.
Tennessee angler Caleb Coffey fished solo on Norris. He already had a keeper in the boat on a stingy Norris Lake.
A high school team fished nearby.
A high school team fished nearby.
With the chilly temperatures many anglers stayed bundled up with Buffs to protect their face from the sun and cold.
With the chilly temperatures many anglers stayed bundled up with Buffs to protect their face from the sun and cold.
Back at the boat ramp, Card and the tournament staff had raffle prizes on display. There were two Lowrance units that would eventually land in a high school and college teams hands.
Back at the boat ramp, Card and the tournament staff had raffle prizes on display. There were two Lowrance units that would eventually land in a high school and college teams hands.
The Apple Barn had cider and individual pies available for the anglers and their families.
The Apple Barn had cider and individual pies available for the anglers and their families.
Brandon Card and his brother, Opens pro, Jordan Card were the duo weighing the fish.
Brandon Card and his brother, Opens pro, Jordan Card were the duo weighing the fish.
Card went through some house keeping items as he started the weigh-in.
Card went through some house keeping items as he started the weigh-in.
The high school anglers weighed fish first. Kassie Dapp and Bryson Dapp of Campbell County High School finished 9th with 2.28 pounds.
The high school anglers weighed fish first. Kassie Dapp and Bryson Dapp of Campbell County High School finished 9th with 2.28 pounds.
Robert Powe and Colby Kerr of GRC Fishing took the high school title with 3 fish for 6.37.
Robert Powe and Colby Kerr of GRC Fishing took the high school title with 3 fish for 6.37.
Zack Holbrook and Jacob Boggs of Perry County took 6th with 2.84 pounds.
Zack Holbrook and Jacob Boggs of Perry County took 6th with 2.84 pounds.
Craig Wilson and Trevor St. John took 2nd with 5.77 pounds.
Craig Wilson and Trevor St. John took 2nd with 5.77 pounds.
Chase Disney and his partner Leslie took big fish honors and 5th place with 2.89 pounds.
Chase Disney and his partner Leslie took big fish honors and 5th place with 2.89 pounds.
The weigh-in crowd hung around as the college weigh-in started moments after the high schoolers finished.
The weigh-in crowd hung around as the college weigh-in started moments after the high schoolers finished.
The college anglers gathered at the tanks.
The college anglers gathered at the tanks.
Saxon Long and Bradley Devaney of Tennessee-Knoxville finished 2nd with 4.13 pounds and also took the big fish honors.
Saxon Long and Bradley Devaney of Tennessee-Knoxville finished 2nd with 4.13 pounds and also took the big fish honors.
Matt Brown and Hunter Thrasher of Bryan College took 3rd with 4.12 pounds.
Matt Brown and Hunter Thrasher of Bryan College took 3rd with 4.12 pounds.
Greg Humphries and Dominic Bonavita of Northern Kentucky finished in 5th with 3.55 pounds.
Greg Humphries and Dominic Bonavita of Northern Kentucky finished in 5th with 3.55 pounds.
Andrew Day and Hunter Fulcher of Kentucky brought 2 fish for 4.36 to take the win.
Andrew Day and Hunter Fulcher of Kentucky brought 2 fish for 4.36 to take the win.
Card interviewed the duo as they took the lead on the college side.
Card interviewed the duo as they took the lead on the college side.
Sheldon Rogge and Adam Fuchs of Kansas State drove 13 hours to fish the event because they are seniors and wanted to fish as many college events as possible. They placed 9th.
Sheldon Rogge and Adam Fuchs of Kansas State drove 13 hours to fish the event because they are seniors and wanted to fish as many college events as possible. They placed 9th.
Lucas Harrison and Trevor Lewis of Georgetown finished tied for 3rd with 4.12 pounds.
Lucas Harrison and Trevor Lewis of Georgetown finished tied for 3rd with 4.12 pounds.
After the weigh-in concluded, Card raffled off the sponsor items before crowning the champions. Bass Pro Shops donated gift cards to the anglers.
After the weigh-in concluded, Card raffled off the sponsor items before crowning the champions. Bass Pro Shops donated gift cards to the anglers.
Card randomly drew boat numbers out of a hat for both high schoolers and college anglers. This high school duo won a Fish Sens Sondecam HD underwater camera.
Card randomly drew boat numbers out of a hat for both high schoolers and college anglers. This high school duo won a Fish Sens Sondecam HD underwater camera.
The college winners of the Lowrance Elite-5 from Georgetown College.
The college winners of the Lowrance Elite-5 from Georgetown College.
The high school Big Bass winners claimed $250.
The high school Big Bass winners claimed $250.
Powe and Kerr are presented with their winning check for the High School division.
Powe and Kerr are presented with their winning check for the High School division.
They also both received a trophy and an Abu Garcia Fantasista combo, which is their brand new line of rods.
They also both received a trophy and an Abu Garcia Fantasista combo, which is their brand new line of rods.
Long and Devaney are presented with their Big Bass money via the college division.
Long and Devaney are presented with their Big Bass money via the college division.
Day and Fulcher receive the first place grand prize for the college division. They also won trophies and Abu Garcia Fantasista combos to pair with their $2,500 money prize.
Day and Fulcher receive the first place grand prize for the college division. They also won trophies and Abu Garcia Fantasista combos to pair with their $2,500 money prize.
Card was happy for whoever won, but thought it was fitting his alma mater took the win in the inaugural event. He showed off his collegiate jersey from his time at Kentucky.
Card was happy for whoever won, but thought it was fitting his alma mater took the win in the inaugural event. He showed off his collegiate jersey from his time at Kentucky.
Card takes another photo op with the winning teams.
Card takes another photo op with the winning teams.
Card puts a stamp on his first ever College and High School Bass Open on Norris Lake as he fills out the winning checks.
Card puts a stamp on his first ever College and High School Bass Open on Norris Lake as he fills out the winning checks.