From Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, World Bass Enterprises brings The Champions to Music City: 62 anglers on Old Hickory Lake fishing for a $3.25 million purse, the biggest in pro bass fishing, with $1.25 million to the winner. Around it there's a free Fan Festival, a free outdoor expo at Gaylord Opryland and Riley Green at The Pinnacle. Here's how the week works and what's worth your time.
62 anglers, one world champion
For the first time, the top pros from the two biggest circuits fish the same water under neutral rules: 30 from Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour and 30 from the Bassmaster Elite Series. Two "Average Joes" won their way in through a sweepstakes, Eric Giessing of Farmington, Missouri, and Kyle Carr of Gatesville, Texas, which makes 62.
- How it works
- Each angler brings in their five heaviest bass each day. The whole field fishes rounds one and two on Oct. 29 and 30, and the top 15 go on to the championship round on Oct. 31.
- The money
- $3.25 million in all. First place takes $1.25 million, second $500,000 and third $300,000.
- Good to know
- Standings are public through day two. On championship day the scores stay hidden, so nobody knows who won until the last bag hits the scale.
Featured on NashvilleTN Live
World Bass Enterprises brings The Champions to Music City, Oct. 28 to Nov. 1: 62 anglers on Old Hickory Lake for a record $3.25 million purse, a free Fan Festival at Sanders Ferry Park.
0:43
Who knew you could catch a bass off Broadway? Watch on Instagram
The Fan Festival and the weigh-ins
Sanders Ferry Park on Old Hickory Lake is home base for the week, and getting in is free on all three competition days. It's built for families: kids fishing, a petting zoo, food trucks, a beer garden and four bands a day, with a fireworks show and a flyover on the bill.
- When to go
- For the weigh-ins: 4 PM on Oct. 29 and 30, when the bags come off the boats. The top 15 are announced live on stage after the second one.
- Before you go
- Register for free in the World Bass Enterprises app. It also has the schedule and venue maps.
- Good to know
- The park is about 15 minutes from Gaylord Opryland, so you can do the expo in the morning and the weigh-in in the afternoon.
The All Outdoors Expo
150,000 square feet of boats, rods and reels, hunting gear and outfitters in the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center, with more than 20,000 people expected over three days.
- Hours
- 10 AM to 5 PM on Oct. 29, 30 and 31. Free to get in.
- What to do
- Walk the new boats, try the gear before you buy it, catch the demos and seminars, and get autographs from the anglers fishing for the $3.25 million.
- Good to know
- Go early. The demos fill, the autograph lines grow and the show-only deals go first. VIP pass holders get in ahead of everyone else.
The weigh-in and the expo are free. Bring the kids.
WBE Concert 250: Reel America with Riley Green
Riley Green headlines the night before the champion is crowned, with Randy Houser opening, at The Pinnacle in Nashville Yards.
- When
- 8 to 11 PM.
- Tickets
- Sold separately from the free events. Concert access comes with select Champions VIP packages, and World Bass sells its tickets on Eventbrite.
- Good to know
- The Pinnacle lists it as 15 and over. Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, Elektrohorse, Dee Jay Silver and the Sixwire Band are also on the week's entertainment lineup.
The schedule
- Oct. 26 and 27
- Practice days on Old Hickory Lake.
- Wed., Oct. 28
- Media Day at the Nashville Palace, 2 to 4 PM. Opening ceremonies at Gaylord Opryland Resort, 7 to 8:30 PM.
- Thu., Oct. 29
- Round one: shotgun start at 7:30 AM. The expo opens at 10. Weigh-in at Sanders Ferry Park at 4 PM.
- Fri., Oct. 30
- Round two and expo day two. Weigh-in at 4 PM, then the top 15 are announced. Riley Green at The Pinnacle, 8 to 11 PM.
- Sat., Oct. 31
- Championship day. The top 15 fish for $1.25 million and the champion is crowned. Last day of the expo. The Champions Dinner, for VIPs, is at Gaylord Opryland at 7:30 PM.
- Sun., Nov. 1
- The Pro-Am: the top 15 anglers with celebrity partners, from Sanders Ferry Park at 10 AM, weigh-in at 3:30 PM. It's shown only on the pay-per-view.
Getting the most out of it
- The app
- Search "World Bass Enterprises" in the App Store for schedules, venue maps, tickets, VIP packages, exhibitor info, tournament updates and free Fan Festival registration.
- Pay-per-view
- $49.99 plus taxes and fees at worldbassenterprises.com: all three competition days live, every boat cam and weigh-in, replays and the Pro-Am.
- Where to stay
- Gaylord Opryland Resort is the host hotel, with the expo and the opening ceremonies under the same roof. For more options, see Places to Stay.
- More from The Latest
- We've already been out on the Cumberland with Bassmaster champion Dylan Nutt and live at the World Bass takeover at Barstool Nashville. It's all on our World Bass page in The Latest, and the week's dates are on the event listing.
Event details come from World Bass Enterprises and can change. Check worldbassenterprises.com or the app before you head out.