Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton of Lander University will be among the eight anglers competing at the 2024 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s in Winchester, Tenn., Sept. 27-30 for a spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.
Photo by Tyler Bridges/B.A.S.S.
Sept. 6, 2024
Top 8 college anglers battle for Classic berth at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake
Winchester, Tenn. — Eight of the country’s best anglers from the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will launch on Tims Ford Lake in Winchester, Tenn., Sept. 27-30 during the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s. The anglers will be fishing for a berth in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.
Tims Ford Lake, located on the Elk River in south central Tennessee, extends 34 miles upstream to the northeast from Tims Ford Dam, which was completed in 1970. Tims Ford’s sprawling arms of water cover nearly 11,000 acres and provide plenty of opportunities for anglers to pursue bass.
The winners of the 2024 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops — Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton from Lander University — received a berth into the College Classic Bracket to compete against three other teams:
- The 2024 Bassmaster College Series overall Team of the Year — Dylan Akins and Chase Carey from Emmanuel University
- The Lunkers Trail Team of the Year — Caleb Hudson and Tanner Hadden from University of South Carolina – Union
- The Legends Trail Team of the Year — Aaron Jagdfeld and Elliot Wielgopolski from Adrian College
The College Classic Bracket will operate with a new format this year. All competitors will compete for the first two days against each other to bring their heaviest five fish to the scales. The four heaviest weights after two days will advance to Semifinal Sunday, where weights will be zeroed. Brackets begin on Semifinal Sunday and pit No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. The two heaviest bags will advance to Championship Monday, where weights will zero once again.
The angler with the heaviest bag on Championship Monday will win a 2025 Bassmaster Classic berth, the use of a Toyota Tundra and Nitro boat — both wrapped in school colors and logos — for one year, paid entry into the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN division of their choice for a year and $7,500.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and local businesses will host the tournament.
