B.A.S.S. To Host Angler Of The Year Championship At Lake St. Clair

September 12, 2019

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization, will host the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship tournament at Lake St. Clair, Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 in Detroit, Mich. Earning a spot in this season-ending derby is no easy accomplishment. Participation is based upon performance — specifically, the number of points earned across the entire Bassmaster Elite Series season. 

Only the Top 50 anglers advance to this tournament, where they will compete for their share of $1 million in prize money. At stake are the coveted title of 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year and — for at least the Top 39 anglers — a berth in the 2020 “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” the Bassmaster Classic.

Two competitors who currently qualify to participate in the Angler of the Year tournament call Michigan home — Garrett Paquette of Canton and Chad Pipkens of Lansing. 

From watching the first boats take off at 7:10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 29 from Lake St. Clair Metropark, and the final weigh-in on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., to participating in the family-friendly Bass, Brews & BBQ Festival and Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo, all activities are free and open to the public. 

As part of B.A.S.S.’s “Year of the Fan” festivities, Saturday is Fan Appreciation Day. Fishing enthusiasts can meet Elite pros for photos and autographs as well as learn tips and techniques during Bassmaster Academy. 

Among companies taking part in the event are Toyota, Carhartt, T-H Marine and Power-Pole. Skeeter and Yamaha will be giving demo boat rides. 

Schedule of Events

*All times are local and subject to change

Saturday, Sept. 28

Noon Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo opens at Lake St. Clair Metropark (31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, MI 48045)

1 p.m.  Bassmaster Academy, Angler Clinics & Angler Alley kick-off in Expo area

Sunday, Sept. 29

7:10 a.m.   The full field of anglers launch on Lake St. Clair from Lake St. Clair Metropark 

Noon Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo opens

3:30 p.m.   Official weigh-in begins at Lake St. Clair Metropark

Monday, Sept. 30

7:10 a.m.   The full field of anglers launch 

3:30 p.m.   Official weigh-in begins 

Tuesday, Oct. 1

7:10 a.m.   The full field of anglers launch for the final day 

3:30 p.m.   Official final weigh-in for the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship begins at Lake St. Clair Metropark

Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo Activities:

Live music all weekend, including a Sunday show from local musician Josh Ross as part of the Mercury Concert Series

Kids’ activities

A chance to meet with Elite pros for autograph and photograph sessions

Take a demo boat ride 

See the latest from Toyota, play games like Tacoma Tic Tac Toe and the Camry Racing Challenge, and win prizes

Win prizes and more from Carhartt

Learn more about T-H Marine, Power-Pole and more

Saturday is B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day. The first 100 people to show their B.A.S.S. member cards get a Bassmaster hat

Sunday is Military and First Responder Day — bring your I.D. for an official Bassmaster hat

2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Carhartt, Lowrance, Mossy Oak Fishing, T-H Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors   

2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship Hosts: Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Macomb County, Huron-Clinton Metroparks (HCMA) Lake St. Clair Metropark

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. 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 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), 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 and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic