Bass fishing’s biggest stars battle for record $1.25 million payday in historic Nashville showdown
Sixty professional bass anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour are competing in Nashville’s inaugural The Champions tournament. The event brings the rival circuits together to determine who is the year’s best, with Jacob Wheeler saying that winning would be the most meaningful achievement of his career.
The three-day competition is being held on Old Hickory Lake, with a record $3.25 million total purse and $1.25 million for the winner. Anglers compete in teams for the first two days, then the top 15 advance to Saturday’s final, where weights reset. Low water and little current have made the lake difficult to fish, raising the prospect of an unexpected winner; two amateurs, Eric Giessing and Kyle Carr, also qualified to compete.
In short
- Bassmaster and MLF stars meet to decide who is best.
- The winner will receive a record $1.25 million.
- Difficult lake conditions could produce a surprise champion.
Explained simply
Bass fishing has several professional circuits, including the Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. They hold separate events and crown their own champions, so a tournament bringing anglers from both together offers a rare comparison across the circuits.
The anglers compete to catch bass, with their results measured by the weight of their catch. Old Hickory Lake is a reservoir near Nashville, and conditions such as water level and current can affect where fish are found and how easy they are to catch.
The event’s large prize fund makes it significant for the competitors, while the format gives anglers a fresh contest in the final after two days of team competition. Its field also includes two amateurs, alongside established professionals.
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