60 Anglers Launch The Champions for Record $3.25 Million Purse in Nashville
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 29
60 Anglers Launch The Champions for Record $3.25 Million Purse in Nashville
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 29
Summary
$3.25 million is on the line at the inaugural The Champions on Old Hickory Lake, where 60 anglers from Bassmaster and Major League Fishing started a three-day showdown Thursday.
Thirty Bassmaster Elite Series pros and 30 MLF Bass Pro Tour stars are competing for team honors first, with the top 15 individuals advancing to Saturday, when weights reset and the winner takes $1.25 million.
Old Hickory's low water and weak current have made practice difficult, and anglers also face strict forward-facing sonar limits that could heavily influence the final round.
Two amateurs — Eric Giessing of Missouri and Kyle Carr of Texas — joined the field through a sweepstakes, with some pros saying the tough conditions could open the door to a surprise winner.
Beyond the record purse, the event is being framed by competitors as a rare cross-league test to settle bragging rights over which circuit has the sport's best anglers.