2021 Qualification Criteria for the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Presented by Bass Pro Shops

Every school that has a university/college recognized bass fishing team is guaranteed one (1) team entry into the 2021 Championship, regardless of any of the below criteria.

Every school bass fishing team that has won the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship in past three (3) years (2018-2020) is guaranteed one (1) team in addition to their one (1) guaranteed team (for up to two (2) teams total) to be entered into the 2021 Championship.

For every qualifying ACA event during the 2020-2021 season in which a school bass fishing team has participated, that school bass fishing team qualifies for one (1) additional team entry into the 2021 Championship, not to exceed three (3) teams total. The qualifying 2020-2021 ACA events include: 2020 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley; 2020 AFTO Collegiate Bass Open; 2021 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley; and 2021 Pickwick Slam. For instance:

• If a school bass fishing team participated in the 2020 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open and the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, then that will qualify them to send two (2) additional teams plus their one (1) guaranteed team to the 2021 Championship, for a total of three (3) teams.
• If a school bass fishing team only participates in the 2020 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open or the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, then that will qualify them to send one (1) additional team plus their one (1) guaranteed team to the 2021 Championship, for a total of two (2) teams.

Any school bass fishing team that is ranked in the Top 25 of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia race as of May 7, 2021, will qualify to send up to three (3) teams in addition to their one (1) guaranteed team (for a maximum of four (4) teams total) to be entered into the 2021 Championship.

The Top 5 finishing angler pairings at the 2020 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open automatically qualify to compete in the 2021 Championship. These qualified angler pairing entries are in addition to the above criteria; these qualified angler pairing entries must compete as the same angler pairing that competed at the 2020 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open. There is not a limit to the number of entries into the 2021 Championship that can qualify via this Top 5 finish.

The Top 5 finishing anglers at the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley automatically qualify to compete in the 2021 Championship. These qualified anglers may choose another angler from their bass fishing team to compete with at the 2021 Championship. There is not a limit to the number of entries into the 2021 Championship that can qualify via this Top 5 finish.

The Top 5 finishing angler pairings at the 2021 Pickwick Slam automatically qualify to compete in the 2021 Championship. These qualified angler pairing entries are in addition to the above criteria; these qualified angler pairing entries must compete as the same angler pairing that competed at the 2021 Pickwick Slam. There is not a limit to the number of entries into the 2021 Championship that can qualify via this Top 5 finish.

Wild Card Drawings: If the 2021 Championship field is not full* at the close of registration, there will be a Wild Card drawing for the remaining spots. Bass fishing teams will be allowed to submit only one (1) additional team into a Wild Card drawing (details to be provided after the close of registration). Any Wild Card teams will be announced by the ACA on a date to be determined. There is no guarantee Wild Card slots will be available.

*Full field is expected to be 200 teams.

All angler eligibility requirements must be met, and anglers must be in good standing with their school and school bass fishing team to be able to compete in the 2021 Championship.

We reserve the right to decline entry for any bass fishing club based on school violations, conduct at other college tournaments, or any violations deemed detrimental to the growth and spirit of the sport of college fishing. Final decisions are at the sole discretion of the Director of Collegiate Operations and Tournament Director.