Attention Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation Members
Announcing B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Format
This new B.A.S.S. Nation competition Regional structure will begin in 2016. The concept is designed to provide the best possible competitive fishing program for our B.A.S.S. Nation tournament anglers, while accomplishing the goals of B.A.S.S. as a whole and to promote membership growth.
Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation Members
2015 will be a transitional year for all states. Our 2015 qualifying tournaments will be a draw as it was last year however we will define a 20 man team, 10 boaters and 10 non boaters at the end of the year. The board of directors are working on format changes for our 2016 qualifying events. And while the Nation will be giving up 3 classic slots, there’s a lot more opportunities for Nation members to look forward to. Some big changes coming for the 2016 Super Regionals and 2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals
The first change is that there will be three Super Regionals that will replace the six Divisionals. The United States will be divided into 3 regions, North, South and Western. These tournaments will be much bigger than Divisional events from past years.
The Super Regional tournaments will be a B.A.S.S. open style format, Angler/Co-Angler, with each state qualifying ten boaters and ten non-boaters. This will be an entry fee paid tournament, $200 for the boater and $100 for non-boaters. Anglers will compete for individual cash prizes (no team money), with the top state team winning a boat.
B.A.S.S. National Championship (BNC)
One of the benefits with the new format is that it allows more members to experience the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship (BNC). Each state will qualify its highest boater and non-boater to advance to the BNC. A great membership incentive for the states, one additional boater/non-boater will advance to the Championship for every 500 members in the state.
The BNC will be a three day event. The non-boater champion will be crowned after two days. The winner will receive a memorial trophy, a prize boat, entry to the Bassmaster Opens as a co-angler and a Bassmaster Classic marshal spot. Additional cash and merchandise will be paid down the field.
The boater field will be cut to the top 10 boaters plus the highest finishing boater from each of the six divisions not in the top ten. It’s possible for 15 anglers to make the final day cut. Anglers will fish with marshals on the final day.
The boater champion will earn a Bassmaster Classic berth, an Elite Series berth, paid entry to the Bassmaster Open of their choice, a prize boat, and a “Nation’s Best” prize package consisting of a Toyota Truck and fully rigged tournament ready boat to use for one year.
Second and third place boaters earn a Bassmaster Classic berth wins the same prize package less the Bassmaster Elite series berth.
Advantages
More members get the opportunity to advance to the Super Regional and BNC
Pro Am style event
Individual payouts
Super Regional and Championship tournaments are bigger and better
Potential to grow membership and sponsors
More members advance to the BNC
Increased exposure for the B.A.S.S. Nation program through the Nation’s Best Program
Nations Best Program – provides tournament ready boat and Toyota truck for the top three anglers to use for one year