College Championship: Yamaha Pro Night

The 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops takes place at Lake Tenkiller. The host this week is Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

The official Toyota Tundras signified the meeting spot for teams on Northeastern State’s campus.

The 2017 National Champions, Jacob Foutz and Jake Lee made an appearance on an ad.

The list of teams who qualified this year. The tally hit 136 when it was all said and done, the biggest Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship field ever.

Along with Foutz and Lee, Bryan College had five other teams qualify. Second most for a school this year with Bethel at the top with 10. Auburn is also tied for second with Bryan College.

The University of Wisconsin were the first to show up.

Maine has a representative for the first time.

Northeastern State is the closest team this week because they are obviously the host. Meanwhile Chico State was beside them in line and they came from California to compete.

Nathan Bell of Bryan College.

Hank Weldon delivers important information about the takeoff and weigh-in processes this week.

Dillon Harrell of Sam Houston State listens in.

So does Luke Gillund of Bemidji State.

Nolan Minor of West Virginia.

After the meeting the teams headed outside for Yamaha Pro Night.

Dinner is served! Pizza is the best for hungry college anglers.

Mark Davis talks with anglers while they wait.

Brian Snowden does the same.

Some teams stop by the Carhartt booth and hangout.

Elite Series pro Stetson Blaylock talks with teams.

The Pro Night gets underway and pro’s begin seminars and Q&A sessions.

Mike McClelland talks about the fishing in this region.

A decked out Toyota Tundra hangs nearby.

Bill Carson of Johnson Outdoors talks about the innovation in the industry and the importance of networking.

James Elam is one of the best young Elite Series anglers and is an Oklahoma angler as well.

Mark Davis, of Arkansas, talks about fishing highland lakes in the summertime.

Former College angler, current Opens angler and 2017 Forrest Wood Cup Champion Justin Atkins talks about College Fishing.

Brian Snowden explains his preparation for the Elite Series once the schedule is released. The importance of keeping a log book to store notes, which helps him pick up on underlying patterns he may stumble upon.

Jon James and Luke Stoner talk about Carhartt and their support of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.

Stetson Blaylock is in his second year on the Elite Series, but is from Arkansas so he knows this region well.

He explains the importance of relationships and keeping bridges in the industry in tact.

Hunter Bland talks about networking as well as thinking outside the box to get in the industry.

Northeastern State’s campus will host every weigh-in this week and a National Champion will be crowned feet from where I stand.

There are 136 teams from 77 colleges and universities from 29 states are here this week.

Thanks to all our guest speakers for Yamaha Pro Night. James Elam, Mike McClelland, Bill Carson, Jon James, Justin Atkins, Hunter Bland, Mark Davis, Stetson Blaylock, Brian Snowden and Luke Stoner (From left to right).