Bass Pro Shops today announced the introduction of the Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships, to be held in conjunction with the company's upcoming 50th anniversary. Noted conservationist and BPS founder Johnny Morris had a dream to create “the ultimate owner’s appreciation event” while benefitting conservation. The first-of-its-kind tournament invites owners of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats to compete in two-person teams.
With proceeds benefitting conservation and the future of fishing, the event is being created exclusively for amateurs including serious weekend tournament anglers, parents, grandparents, and youngsters, giving everyday anglers, friends, and families the chance to win big.
Competitors will be rewarded with a total guaranteed purse value of $4.3 million. The national championship team wins a $1 million cash prize, with a minimum of $1 million going to improve fish habitat.
Registration is open exclusively to amateurs. Regional and international qualifier events will feature division payouts for youth, family teams, all-female teams, veterans and more. Additional prizes will be offered for the biggest bass and other categories. Morris will award one lucky junior angler (ages 11-18) a $250,000 scholarship toward a conservation-related area of study.
Following a series of regional qualifying tournaments starting this spring, 350 two-person teams will compete in an internationally broadcast championship finale this fall at Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake. The competition will also include international teams from around the world including Japan, Spain, Germany, Romania, Mexico and Holland.
The event brings Bass Pro Shops back to its birthplace in the Ozark mountains of Missouri. Prior to founding BPS in the back of his father’s liquor store in 1972, avid young angler Johnny Morris grew up float-fishing on Ozarks rivers and later, Table Rock Lake, before spending five years competing on the professional bass circuit.
“Fishing in the first national bass tournament on Table Rock Lake in 1970 rewarded me with friends for life and served as my inspiration to start Bass Pro Shops," Morris said. "Fishing on the B.A.S.S. tournament circuit also helped keep us abreast of the latest emerging trends in fishing and enabled me to stay closely connected to our customers. And without our loyal customers and industry-leading independent boat dealers, we simply wouldn’t be here today.
"This tournament is our way of giving thanks and rewarding our customers with the chance to land the catch of a lifetime. Beyond offering the ultimate prize in fishing, we’re excited to celebrate our heritage, raise funds for conservation and have some big fun with people who love fishing as much as we do."
In an effort to provide the widest opportunities for participation, there are three ways anglers can qualify for a chance to compete in the national championship event:
1. Finish in the top 40 at one of eight regional qualifier events hosted around the country. Each regional qualifying event will be open to 250 two-person teams. Here's a look at the 2021 regional schedule:
> Lake Okeechobee, Fla. – March 13
> Lake Ray Roberts, Texas – April 17
> Lake Mead, Nev. – April 24
> Chesapeake Bay, Md. – July 17
> Lake St. Clair, Mich. – Aug. 21
> Old Hickory Lake, Tenn. – Sept. 11
> Grand Lake ‘O the Cherokees, Okla. – Oct. 16
> Last Chance Qualifier: Bull Shoals Lake, Ark. – Nov. 17
The three-day National Championship will get under way at Table Rock on Nov. 19.
Online registration for the first three regional qualifiers will be open for 24 hours beginning at 10 a.m. Central time on Feb. 10. Entry fees are $450 per person, $250 for youth ages 12-17 and free for kids under 12. Entry includes a US Open gift bag for each team member with exclusive goods valued at $150.
Due to anticipated high demand, boat owners can only register for one qualifying event, with all entrants placed in an independently verified drawing to determine the 250 teams eligible for each event. Individuals who do not receive a slot in the regional qualifiers can register for the “last chance” qualifier on Bull Shoals Lake, with registration opening later this year.
2. Win one of several existing fishing competitions across the United States and around the world organized by authorized independent dealers of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats, with details available at basspro.com/usopen.
3. The winning teams from the three major national collegiate championships will receive invitations.
The National Championship will consist of a 5-fish limit each day, with overall weight determining the champion at the conclusion of the three-day competition. Awaiting the champion is the $1 million cash prize. The angler who catches the biggest bass receives a 21-foot fiberglass Ranger, Nitro or Triton bass boat, a Toyota Tundra truck and other prizes.
The event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network on Nov. 21, followed by a feature special airing on NBC later this year.
There is no additional entry fee to participate in the Championship event for those who qualify in regional events.
The tournaments will benefit local fish habitat with proceeds supporting the National Fish Habitat Initiative. One-third of all entry fees will directly support the project. Bass Pro Shops will match each donation, as will Toyota, enabling an amount equal to 100 percent of all entry fees – over $1 million – to benefit conservation.
For more, go to basspro.com/usopen.
