2017 Eastern Regional – Upper Chesapeake Bay
North Carolina’s Bass Nation competed in the BASS Eastern Regional hoping to defend its 2016 Championship title. The team ended up 12th place out of the 18 teams competing. Only 67 pounds kept them out of the top 5 finish. (Only a little over 3 pounds per angler). NC weighed a total of 186.50 pounds where Florida won the event big time by weighing in an awesome 331 pounds claiming the Championship Title. The Florida team won a fully rigged Skeeter Bass Boat with a Yamaha Sho Motor valued at $49,950.
Three hundred and fifty anglers took to the water trying to advance to the National Championship. (175 Boaters and 175 non-boaters) Steve Vann took the NC title on the Boater side finishing 5th overall and taking home $2,000 in prize money and Advancing to the National Championship. Mark Williams also qualified on the Boater side finishing 33rd and bringing home $250. Eric Moser also made the cut on the final day finishing 44th.
On the Non-Boater side, Scott Spencer was crowned the NC Non-Boater Champion coming in 11th place over all and bringing home $375 and qualifying for the National Championship in October. Khris Williams also qualified for the National Championship finishing 20th, bringing home $250. Mike Greene came in 33rd and brought home $100 for his efforts.
Steve Vann and Mark Williams will compete as boaters on Lake Hartwell in the B.A.S.S Nation National Championship hoping to finish in the top three and advancing to the BASS MASTER CLASSIC. Scott Spencer and Khris will compete as Non-Boaters hoping to win the Prize Boat for the non-boater champion. The Non-Boater champion will be crowned after day two and will fish the final day against the Boaters with the same goal, trying to make it to the final three and a Bass Master Classic invitation!
At the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, the Non-boater Champion will be crowned after day two. He will advance to final day of competition and chance to compete for the Classic berth. The Non-boater Champion will win a Trophy, Boat/motor package, Bassmaster Opens entry as a Pro or Co-angler, and a Bassmaster Classic marshal spot.
The Boater Champion will be crowned after day three. They will cut the field of top 10 + top 2 regional leaders and non-boater champion on the final day (up to 16 competitors); paired with a Marshall. The First/Second/Third place finishers win a Bassmaster Classic berth, Bassmaster Opens entry as Pro in the division of choice, Boat and motor package for personal use “B.A.S.S. Nations Best” package, PLUS, the first place winner will also get a Bassmaster Elite Series berth for the following season.