BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In 2020, more than 37,500 engaged fans played Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, a number that has grown steadily over the past decade. This week, Bassmaster launched a second fantasy game — Mercury Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge. Fans can set their rosters by 6 a.m. ET on April 22 to play along during the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.

The Drain the Lake Challenge, using elimination pool rules, requires players to use an entirely different strategy than standard Fantasy Fishing. When building their team, players can only use an Elite Series angler once over the course of the season. Unlike traditional Fantasy Fishing, there are no buckets. Tournament players select any eight Elite Series anglers. After choosing an angler for a specific event, players can no longer select that angler for the remainder of the season.

An angler’s points will be based on their finish in the tournament, just like Fantasy Fishing. The angler who wins each Elite Series event will receive double points while the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk champion will garner triple points, so choosing the winning angler will be big in terms of winning the overall grand prize.

The Drain the Lake Challenge winning player, along with the rest of the Top 5 points leaders for each event, will receive a prize pack including a Mercury backpack, Mercury 12-can cooler bag, Mercury hat and Mercury hoodie. A $500 Bass Pro Shops gift card will be rewarded to any individual prize winner who is a B.A.S.S. member. The 2021 Drain the Lake Challenge overall winner will enjoy a fishing trip with Bassmaster LIVE host Mark Zona in Michigan, with airfare and hotel included.

Registration for both games, along with full rules and a description of each prize package, can be found at Bassmaster.com/fantasy.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

Media Contact: Emily Harley, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, eharley@bassmaster.com