GADSDEN, Ala. — The Bassmaster Elite Series continues its season in Sweet Home Alabama when Gadsden hosts the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake May 6-9, 2021. Daily launches and weigh-ins will take place at the Gadsden City Boat Docks, also known as Coosa Landing. The tournament is hosted by The City of Gadsden and Greater Gadsden Area Tourism.
The Yellowhammer State will be well-represented by the 12 Elite Series pros who call Alabama home, including current Rookie of the Year leader Josh Stracner, Kyle Welcher and Matt Herren, who are both in the Top 10 of the Angler of the Year points race, and 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury. Other Alabama anglers competing include Justin Atkins, Clent Davis, Justin Hamner, Kelley Jaye, Steve Kennedy, Wes Logan, Gerald Swindle and Bill Weidler.
The tournament pits 99 of the top bass anglers in the world against big bass and one another as they battle for the coveted championship trophy, $100,000 first-place prize and a total purse of more than $760,000.
Beyond the tournament action taking place on this Coosa River fishery, sports fans can experience the thrill of skimming across the river during a demo boat rides from Nitro, Ranger and Mercury, enjoy two days of family friendly activities and sample local food while strolling along the Riverwalk and Coosa Landing at the free Bassmaster Outdoors Expo on Saturday and Sunday.
Live coverage for all four days of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 7 a.m. CT on Saturday and Sunday.
To help credentialed media cover the event on the water, B.A.S.S. has a media boat and local angler available in two-hour increments each day of the tournament, launching at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sign up for media boat spots here.
Schedule of Events
Thursday & Friday, May 6 & 7
5:40 a.m. CT The full field of anglers launch from Gadsden City Boat Docks/Coosa Landing Boat Ramp (200 Lake St., Gadsden, AL 35903)
2 p.m. CT Official weigh-in takes place at Coosa Landing
Saturday, May 8
5:40 a.m. CT The Top 49 anglers launch from Gadsden City Boat Docks/Coosa Landing Boat Ramp
7:00 a.m. CT Live broadcast coverage begins on FS1
12 p.m. CT Bassmaster Outdoors Expo Opens
2 p.m. CT Official weigh-in takes place at Coosa Landing
Please note: Saturday is Military and First Responder Appreciation Day
Sunday, May 9
5:40 a.m. CT The Top 10 anglers launch from Gadsden City Boat Docks/Coosa Landing Boat Ramp
7:00 a.m. CT Live broadcast coverage begins on FS1
12 p.m. CT Bassmaster Outdoors Expo Opens
2 p.m. CT Championship weigh-in takes place at Coosa Landing
Please note: Sunday is B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day
Access to the anglers after weigh-in: An outdoor area is set up to interview the anglers after they weigh-in. If you have a specific angler(s) you would like to interview beyond the leaders, please let us know.
Video and photography assets: If you are interested in covering the event but staffing and schedule do not allow you to be here live, B.A.S.S. can provide editorial, still photography and video assets for your use.
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