DAYTON, Tenn. — Anticipation continues to grow as Bass Pro Shops’ Battle of Chickamauga High School Classic draws near in Dayton, Tenn. On March 27-28, anglers from around the country will converge on Lake Chickamauga for what will likely be the most anticipated high school event in the history of the state.
With the news of Chickamauga yielding a new state record spreading like wildfire on the Internet, high school anglers are itching to take their shot at a $25,000 prize to be awarded to any competitor who catches the next state record. (Prize available to first 100 boats registered. You can register for the event here. March 23 is the final day to register.)
So the question on everyone’s mind, “Is another state record lurking in those dark Chickamauga waters?” Experts say there is.
“There’s another one in there,” insists Gabe Keen who’s responsible for smashing the 60-year-old state largemouth record on Lake Chickamauga in mid-February with a 15.2-pound behemoth.
“It’s a great lake. I think there’s some more 15- to 16-pound fish in the lake,” says Keen, a Dayton native, who will return as coach of his Campbell County High School Bass Fishing team (Jacksboro, Tenn.) which will enter six boats in the event.
But will the $25,000 bounty for a new state record affect high school anglers’ strategies in what will likely be the most anticipated high school event in the state’s history?
“I gotta believe it will be on their mind,” says boat captain Scott Finley, who’s traveling from Grand Haven, Mich.
Finley says his team is definitely excited to fish the event given the Lake Chickamauga’s reputation as one of the top-ranked bass lakes in the country, not to mention the Christian environment set by promoters with Ott DeFoe as a featured speaker.
DeFoe, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, is excited to be chosen to be a part of the Battle of Chickamauga.
“High school fishing is becoming such a large opportunity for today’s youth,” says DeFoe. “It’s something every student can enjoy and be a part of. I enjoy sharing my passion for the sport with all of them.”
And with the support of industry giants such as Bass Pro Shops, Pure Fishing and B.A.S.S., anglers can expect an experience of a lifetime.
To the Winner Goes the Spoils
With Bass Pro Shops as the title sponsor, youngsters will be competing for a top prize that includes a $1,000 scholarship for the team, as well as $1,000 in Bass Pro Shops gift cards. The winning team will also earn an automatic spot into the Bassmaster High School National Championship later this year. The winning school will receive a custom championship Battle of Chickamauga title belt (MMA style) to keep until next year’s event.
State record holder Gabe Keen says it will take some big weight to win the event. “Everybody’s gonna be swinging for the fences,” he says.
But regardless of how you finish, Keen says, “For anglers to have the opportunity to be around an Elite Series pro like Ott DeFoe – it’s gonna be a great experience.”
Register or learn more about the Bass Pro Shops Battle of Chickamauga here. Learn more on their Facebook page or by contacting Dennis Tumlin with the Rhea County Economic and Tourism Council at 423-775-6171 or dennistumlin@rheacountyetc.com.
