NBC to broadcast weekend amateur bass fishing tournament on Table Rock Lake

Sara Karnes, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
The Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships will conclude Nov. 19-21.
The Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships will conclude Nov. 19-21.
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You can tune in to NBC to watch this weekend's national bass fishing championships conclude on Table Rock Lake.

The Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships will wrap up Nov. 19-21 and be broadcast to an international television audience on NBC.

This fan-friendly event will see a purse value of $4.3 million and $1 million for the first-place team, according to a Bass Pro news release. The weekend will include activities for the entire family beginning daily at 11 a.m.

Amateur anglers are coming from more than 30 states and several countries to participate. Ten winners of the nationwide Johnny Morris Happy Fishin' Kids Contest, ages 17 and under, will be awarded their own boat Friday and will participate in the championship as a grand prize.

Celebrity anglers Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin and Kevin VanDam will also be present along with representatives from National Fish Habitat Partnership, Missouri Department of Conservation and others.

Events will take place at Long Creek Marina, 1368 Long Creek Road in Ridgedale.

Schedule of events

Friday, Nov. 19, at Long Creek Marina in Ridgedale

  • 6:30-7 a.m. – National Championship “Lines In” Ceremony & Championship Kickoff

  • 1-2 p.m. – Johnny Morris Happy Fishin’ Kids Contest Winners Announced; 10 Kids Winners awarded a new TRACKER Classic XL Boat

  • 2-4:30 p.m. – Angler Weigh-in Underway

  • 4-4:15 p.m. – Johnny Morris Missouri Veterans Fishin’ Contest Winner awarded a new TRACKER Classic XL Boat

  • 4:15-5 p.m. – Angler Awards Ceremony; Top 200 teams advance to fish on Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 20, at Long Creek Marina in Ridgedale

  • 6:30-7 a.m. – National Championship “Lines In” Ceremony and Day 2 Begins

  • 7:30 a.m. to noon – Johnny Morris Happy Fishin’ Kids Contest Winners participate in boating and fishing demo with celebrity anglers Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin and Kevin VanDam

  • 2-3:30 p.m. – Angler Weigh-in Underway

  • 3:30–4:30 p.m.– Angler Awards Ceremony announcing Special Division Winners

  • 4:30–5 p.m. – Angler Awards Ceremony announcing Top 50 teams advancing to Sunday final

Sunday, Nov. 21, at Long Creek Marina in Ridgedale

  • 6:30-7 a.m. – National Championship Finale “Lines In” Ceremony

  • 1:30-2 p.m. – US Open Kids Fishing Competition Weigh-in and Awards Ceremony

  • 3-4 p.m. – Final National Championship Weigh-in

  • 4-5 p.m. – Final Angler Awards Ceremony; $1 Million Grand Prize Awarded to First Place Team

  • 5 p.m. – Championship Celebration & Special Guests

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: NBC to broadcast weekend amateur bass fishing tournament