Kentucky Lake and Paris, TN to Host 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley

San Antonio, TX (September 8, 2022) – The 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is set to take place September 17-18, 2022, at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN.  A double points event featuring over $20,000 in prizes and contingencies, this tournament is set to be the first Association of Collegiate Anglers event of the new season.  This means hundreds of the country’s best collegiate anglers will be traveling to Henry County and Paris, TN to fish Kentucky Lake in search of one big bass to take home the overall tournament title and claim their share of the more than eighty prizes up for grabs.

Located in the northwest corner of Tennessee, Kentucky Lake is well known as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country and it will play host to one of the most popular college fishing events in the nation.  The college anglers will be fishing the famed Kentucky Lake which features over 2,000 miles of shoreline and 160,300 acres of water surface. Typical summer water level is 359 feet. Kentucky Lake currently sits at 356 feet and the bass fishing reports have been very good in the past few months on the lake.

Stability during the fall months is key to ensuring a strong bite out on the Tennessee River. Weather forecasts and lake conditions appear poised to present a great playing field for the elite anglers to go out in search of big bass.

Weather forecasts for the weekend of the event call for temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s with nightly lows dipping down into the mid-60’s.  Bright sunshine and warm temperatures will provide anglers with a variety of ways to go out and target those Kentucky Lake bass. A mixture of topwater, crank baits, and soft plastics will be key baits during the event with a variety of baits and fishing styles all producing in recent weeks.

Read our latest feature article highlighting Berkley baits to have for Kentucky Lake.

Shad will likely be the main forage for feeding bass next week. Cooling temperatures and changing seasons will put baitfish on the move as they push into the backs of creeks. A mixture of topwater and moving baits will work to trigger those fish into biting.

Kentucky Lake offers a wide variety of cover and structure for anglers to explore during official practice and tournament competition. That structure includes wood, rock, drains, bars, and offshore ledges. Given the time of year, all of these areas, from deep to shallow, could be holding fish during the tournament.

The ACA looks forward to seeing everyone in Paris, TN and Henry County for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley. To register for the event, click here. Anglers and coaches are encouraged to review the Angler Packet to view important dates and find information about lodging.