Grassroots anglers from around the country will take to the waters of Pickwick Lake to compete for one of three berths into the 2023 Bassmaster Classic during the 2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Nov. 9-11 in Florence, Ala.
The B.A.S.S. Nation Championship was last held on Pickwick in 2020, when Wisconsin angler Pat Schlapper claimed the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy, dominating the field and winning by a margin of more than 7 pounds. That same year, Schlapper finished third in the Bassmaster Eastern Opens Angler of the Year points, allowing him to double-qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“B.A.S.S. has had such great experiences in Florence that we’re extremely excited to return,” said Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director. “As in years past, the competition should be incredible.
“It is fun and inspirational to see the talented anglers coming out of the B.A.S.S. Nation and to watch as Nation Champions go on to success at the Elite level, whether it's Brandon Palaniuk’s five Elite Series wins or guys like Caleb Sumrall, who had a breakout season last year with two Top-10s.”
Anglers from across the country will qualify via regional championship tournaments held on Arizona’s Lake Havasu, Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake, Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, New York’s St. Lawrence River and the Upper Mississippi River in Iowa. The Paralyzed Veterans of American Tour will also send its Angler of the Year winner to compete.
The Top 3 anglers from the overall championship standings will not only earn a berth to the 2023 Bassmaster Classic, but the B.A.S.S. Nation champion will earn the title of “Nation’s Best,” which includes an Elite Series berth and the use of a fully-rigged Nation’s Best tournament boat for a year. The second- and third-place finishers and non-boater Champion will each earn paid entry fees for all divisions of the Bassmaster Opens Series.
