B.A.S.S. has postponed its college bass fishing tournament scheduled for late March on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina due to concerns about the coronavirus. (Photo: B.A.S.S.)
Updated March 13, 2:10 p.m.
Due to public health concerns surrounding the Covid-19 coronavirus, B.A.S.S. officials have postponed the Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake.
The tournament was scheduled March 19-22 in Dayton, Tennessee.
“Any time we are forced to postpone a tournament it is disappointing to our anglers, fans, sponsors and staff,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “The anglers want to fish this incredible lake, where we have enjoyed amazing fan support over the years. After careful discussions though, it was apparent the best decision was to postpone the tournament and festivities.”
Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency on Thursday and the number of Tennesseans infected with the coronavirus doubled to 18. The Centers for Disease Control also has recommended that those at higher risk for contracting the disease or those who may have been exposed should avoid crowds and events to help prevent the spread of the virus.
B.A.S.S. is monitoring the situation with local public officials and following precautions and advice outlined by the CDC and World Health Organization. A new tournament date will be announced in the future.
Posted March 12: B.A.S.S. has canceled all fan events at its Elite Series tournament on Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee and postposed the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series tournament in South Carolina due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
B.A.S.S Communications Manager Emily Harley said the Elite Series tournament on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee, will continue. Anglers will fish March 19-22. Officials are encouraging fans to tune into Bassmaster LIVE on Bassmaster.com or ESPN3 for on-the-water and weigh-in coverage during the event.
The situation is fluid, however, with B.A.S.S. officials monitoring the situation in Tennessee with local and state officials.
"At this point, competition will continue as planned for the Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga," Harley said in an email. "However, due to concern over the spread of coronavirus, please note that all fan activities have been cancelled at this time. B.A.S.S. will continue to monitor the situation with Rhea County public officials, and follow the precautions and advice outlined by the CDC."
Harley added that due to colleges and universities closing campuses along with canceling extracurricular activities including sports events, B.A.S.S. is postponing the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by Bass Pro Shops. That tournament was scheduled for March 26-28 in Anderson, South Carolina.
"Several schools with teams registered for the event have informed anglers and coaches that they are not allowing student athletes to participate in sporting events and tournaments, even those events being held outside," Harley said. "B.A.S.S. is currently working with the tournament local hosts on a new date to ensure all registered teams have the opportunity to compete."
ACA Big Bass Bash on Kentucky Lake Postponed
The 2020 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, slated for March 14-15 at Kentucky Lake, has been postponed by the Association of Collegiate Anglers due to coronavirus concerns.
ACA officials plan to reschedule.
“This decision is based on the Covid-19 public health threat and the recent decisions by many major sporting groups to cancel their events," said ACA director Wade Middleton. "This includes the fact the NCAA has canceled all men’s and women’s sports events for the rest of the winter and spring season. As always, safety is of the utmost concern to our staff and sponsors, and that won’t ever change. We look forward to seeing everyone on the water again soon."
