BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In an effort to inspire more youth involvement in bass fishing, B.A.S.S. has extended its presenting sponsorship of the 2021 Big Bass Zone (BBZ) Junior Championship, an online tournament for anglers ages 13 to 19. In 2020, the event’s second year, 52 anglers from 48 states qualified for the championship event.
The BassCat Boats Big Bass Zone Junior Championship presented by B.A.S.S. is a unique event in the world of fishing. Since this grass-roots bass tournament is held online, young competitors have the opportunity to fish from anywhere and on their schedule. There is no need for expensive equipment, as anglers only need a camera or phone and an email address to register their catch. The competitors catch a fish then submit the fish to a virtual leaderboard for each state through the Fishing Chaos app. The angler with the heaviest five-bass limit from that state qualifies to move on to the 2021 BBZ Junior Championship world finals.
“This format allows every kid that can find a fishing rod the ability to compete against their peers across the country for incredible prizes, including a fully loaded BassCat, Anglers Inn International trips and Bethel University scholarships,” said BBZ Junior Championship president Bill Siemantel. “They can qualify by fishing from the bank, from a kayak or from a bass boat in every sort of fishery you can imagine.”
To participate, anglers simply register online at bbzworld.com or fishingchaos.com. Registration fees are $28 for a single state or $53 to fish nationally in any state except Alaska. Once a bass is caught, the angler takes a photo of the fish on an official ruler (both length and girth) and submits the catch online. Anglers can enter as many bass as they like, and the angler who catches the five biggest fish in his or her state by Aug. 15, 2021 will qualify for the championship event to be held in Branson, Mo., Oct. 29-30.
The 2021 champion will take home an astonishing prize package that includes a fully loaded 2021 BassCat Margay powered by a Mercury Pro XS outboard and outfitted by MotorGuide, Lowrance and Power-Pole. Other prizes up for grabs in the tournament include trips to Lake El Salto, Mexico, provided by Anglers Inn International, scholarships from Bethel University and a host of gear from AFTCO.
Carter Doren, a high school junior from Las Vegas, Nev., captured the 2020 BBZ Junior Championship title with a 4.35-pound largemouth. It was one of four tournaments Doren won during his 2020 season. Additionally, Doren was the 2020 Co-Angler of the Year for the Nevada Bass Anglers, an adult fishing club, where he placed in the Top 5 multiple times. Earlier this month, Doren was named to the prestigious Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Other notable young anglers who have participated in the BBZ Junior Championship include Dylan Fogarty, a two-time Bassmaster High School All-American who now fishes for Bethel University.
Registration for the BassCat Boats BBZ Junior Championship presented by B.A.S.S. is currently open. For more information, visit bbzworld.com.
