June 12, 2019

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In an effort to inspire more youth involvement in bass fishing, B.A.S.S. has signed on as presenting sponsor of Bassin’s 2019 Big Bass Junior Championship (BBJC).

“One of our most important missions is to inspire young adults to participate in the sport we love. The BBJC program removes barriers kids may face when looking for an entry point in competitive bass fishing, and B.A.S.S. not only wholly supports this effort, but wants to further the reach,” said Chase Anderson, B.A.S.S. Chairman. “We are thrilled to partner with Bill Siemantel and the BBJC to help get more young adults fishing.”

The BBJC is an online, big bass tournament that began on Jan. 1, 2019, and will conclude on Aug. 15, 2019. To participate, anglers between the ages of 14 and 25 simply register online (bigbassjuniorchampionship.com), pay a $25 entry fee and select the state or states in which they will be fishing. There are no restrictions on gear or where an angler can fish. 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. The angler who catches the biggest fish in his or her state will qualify for a championship event to be held Oct. 19 at Angler’s Inn Idaho. More than $56,000 in prizes, including a new Bass Cat Margay powered by a Mercury ProXS outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor and Lowrance electronics, will be awarded.

“I really want to do something that makes a difference,” said BBJC coordinator Bill Siemantel. “I have caught many double-digit fish and know how just one bite can change your life. If we can inspire the current generation of kids to get out there and experience that one bite, they will be hooked for life.”

Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams. This mantra, which has become the tagline for Bassmaster competition, perfectly fits with the ideology of the BBJC. “I am so proud of the B.A.S.S. partnership,” Siemantel said. “After all, B.A.S.S. started it all. And when kids submit their big bass, they may make it to the big stage in Idaho and realize even bigger dreams than they imagined. This partnership between B.A.S.S. and Bassin’ shows the passion of both companies to work toward a very bright future for our sport.”

Brad Uhl, owner of Bassin’, agrees. “We are so excited to have B.A.S.S. present the Big Bass Junior Championship to all high school and college anglers throughout the U.S. This is a wonderful opportunity for two organizations to come together for the grass-roots anglers getting started, as well as to the more advanced anglers already participating in competitive bass fishing. Working together to inspire kids to start fishing is what we all should be striving for.”

For more information on the Big Bass Junior Championship event visit www.bigbassjuniorchampionship.com or call Bill Siemantel at 661-210-6028.