SAN ANTONIO, TX – The 2025-26 season will mark the Association of Collegiate Anglers’ 21st season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The first event of this new season will be the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley. A major nationally televised, double points event, this no-entry-fee tournament will be contested at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN on September 20-21, 2025.

“Having just completed our historic 20th season as college fishing’s longest-running national tournament trail, we are excited for a new school year and season to begin,” said Wade Middleton, ACA Director and CarecoTV President. “Kentucky Lake has hosted numerous ACA events throughout the years, and we look forward to the 2025 installment of this renowned tournament.”

In 2024, the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley fielded an event record-breaking number of anglers. A total of close to 600 anglers from across the country traveled to Henry County and Paris, TN to compete.

The 2025 tournament will boast a total payout of well over $20,000 in prizes and contingencies. Anglers will also be competing for double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is a two-day, big bass format event consisting of a total of seven weigh-in sessions. On the first day of tournament competition, there will be four weigh-in sessions, with each session paying out the Top 10 biggest bass for that hour. During Day 2, there will be three weigh-in sessions. The first two sessions will pay out the Top 10 biggest bass, and the final session of the day will award prizes to the Top 20.

On Day 2 of tournament competition, anglers will be permitted to use only Berkley baits. The Berkley baits only rule on Day 2 creates a lot of excitement and buzz amongst the anglers. The award-winning lineup of Berkley baits is comprised of hard baits and soft plastics that can catch prize winning Kentucky Lake bass on any cast. Multiple times in the past, the overall biggest bass of the event has been caught on Day 2 of tournament competition.

“Each year, we highly anticipate the start of a new season,” said Kyle Curry, ACA Managing Director. “With the new season comes the first opportunity for anglers to get on the water, as well as earn valuable points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.”

The 2025 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley will be the first ACA double points event to count towards the 2025-26 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. 1st place will earn 1,750 points for their respective school. Teams will be eligible to earn points for their two highest-placing fish inside of the Top 150.

Follow this link to register.