The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament will be held Friday, April 28th, through Sunday, April 30th, at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland.
The Elite series is part of professional anglers’ journey to the top honor: Bassmaster’s Angler of the Year.
“All the anglers, even though there’s just one who Sunday will get that $100,000 check in front of the crowd,” said Eric Lopez, Director of Operations for Bassmaster. “…they’re all vying for those points because they’ll be competing for angler of the year.”
Lopez said that Bassmaster has hosted events in Mississippi before, but this is a first for the Elite series.
“Ross Barnett Reservoir has continued to improve over the years,” said Lopez. “And it caught the eyes of the pros. They said ‘that’s where we want to be.'”
Lopez said that good fishing and solid infrastructure surrounding the Rez is what made the area a desired destination for the tournament.
That infrastructure will be put to good use; if fishing isn’t your cup of tea, Bassmaster teamed up with the city of Ridgeland to host a full-on festival.
“All of our national and local sponsors will be there: Academy Sports and Outdoors, Hook clothing, Toyota,” said Lopez. “But also the city of Ridgeland has worked to make this like a true festival. There will be food trucks, beer gardens, craft vendors, music, and boat and motor demonstrations.”
For more information on the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite tournament at the Ross Barnett Reservoir, click here.
