Facts about the March 24-26 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open
The March 24-26 event will be the first time a Bassmaster tournament has come to Lake Norman since 2006.
Previous winners include Bassmaster Elite Series pro Edwin Evers, who won a Bassmaster Tour event in March 2005 with 46 pounds, 6 ounces; and Lisa Sternard, who won a Women's Bassmaster Tour event there in July 2006 with 21-7.
Co-anglers will compete against each other from the back of pros' boats. First prize in the co-angler division is a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $35,000.
The daily limit for pro competitors is five fish, 14 inches minimum. The co-angler limit is three fish no shorter than 14 inches each.
The full fields of both the pro and co-angler divisions will compete the first two days, then cut to the top 12 for Day Three. Highest cumulative weight over three days determines the winner.
Bassmaster.com will offer extended coverage, including live streaming video and real-time leaderboards of the weigh-ins beginning at 3 p.m. ET March 24 and 25, and at 4 p.m. ET March 26. Fans also can expect daily analysis and standings, BASSCam video reports and extensive online photo galleries. Access to all online content at Bassmaster.com is free.
On March 26, the final weigh-in will take place at the Concord location of Bass Pro Shops, 8181 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027; phone: 704-979-2200. The action starts on stage at 4 p.m. ET. The event is free and open to the public.
Weigh-ins on the first two days will be at Blythe Landing, 15901 NC Highway 73, Cornelius, NC 28031, at 3 p.m. ET.
The boats will take off at 7 a.m. ET from Blythe Landing.
The public is invited to watch the launches as well as the weigh-ins; all activities are free and open to the public.
The local host is Visit Lake Norman. The site provides hotel, dining and sightseeing options as well as an overview of the area.
2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Supporting Sponsors: Humminbird, Luck "E" Strike, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats
Bassmaster Website
