Registration Opens for the 2021 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open at Lake Dardanelle

Published by: Kyle Curry

1:10 PM June 28, 2021

Association of Collegiate Anglers

 

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Registration is now open for the 2021 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  The annual event is set to take place on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR  October 9-10, 2021.  This two-day, daily five-bass limit format tournament will be the first major televised event of the 2021-2022 season for the Association of Collegiate Anglers.  Anglers will be competing for $25,000 plus dollars in prizes & contingencies, and double points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

Official Practice will begin at safe light on Thursday, October 7th, with the last day of Official Practice being from safe light until 3:00 PM on Friday, October 8th.

Register now by clicking here.

The Top 5 finishing teams at the 2021 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open will earn automatic qualification to compete in the 2022 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Pickwick Lake.

Situated along the Arkansas River in central Arkansas, Lake Dardanelle is one of the top bass fisheries in its region.  Year in and year out, this renowned river fishery produces quality fish.  It is not uncommon to see numerous limits of bass brought to the scales weighing over 15 pounds, with some limits even eclipsing the 20-pound mark.  Dardanelle offers a variety of cover ranging from rocks, lily pads, vegetation, and wood.  The diverse amounts of fish-catching habitat allow teams from all over the country to run water that they are familiar with and find great success.

The race for the 2021-22 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia will be front and center in the spotlight during the two days of competition at Lake Dardanelle.  The first ACA ran event of the season also means this will be the first double points event of the year. The double points opportunity means schools will earn points for their highest two finishing teams inside of the Top 125 in the tournament standings. The winner of the event will gain 1,250 points for their respective school.  A double points event like this will have a drastic impact on the standings.  For teams that are able to put together two Top 10 finishes, they could add more than 2,400 points towards their yearly points total.

View the complete Tournament Rules.

Here is a look at the schedule of events for the 2021 AFTCO Open:

SCHEDULE

October 7th – Official Practice Day

Friday, October 8th – Off the Water by 3 pm & Angler Check-in/Meeting

Saturday & Sunday, October 9th & 10th – Tournament Days

Day 1 Weigh-in begins at 3:00pm.

Day 2 Weigh-in begins at 1:00pm.