For the Press and Standard
COLUMBIA — The Bassmaster Elite Series will set up shop in South Carolina with back-to-back April events. The Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray starts April 20 followed by the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes.
B.A.S.S. has visited Lake Murray nine times for major events since 1991, but its most recent trip to the 50,000-acre Saluda River fishery was in 2011.
NEW FOR 2023
Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Thursday and Friday mornings at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms while FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 a.m.
The Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray is free and open to the public.
WHO
The tournament pits 104 of the top bass anglers in the world against big bass and one another as they battle for the coveted championship trophy, $100,000 first-place prize and a total purse of more than $771,000.
WHERE
Dreher Island State Park, 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity, S.C. 29127
Please note: Parking on the island is limited. A free public shuttle is available from St. Peter Lutheran Church, 900 Dreher Island Road, Chapin.
WHEN
Thursday and Friday, April 20-21
• 7 a.m. --- The full field of 104 anglers launch on Lake Murray from Dreher Island State Park
• 3 p.m. --- Official weigh-in takes place at Dreher Island State Park (Coverage on Bassmaster.com)
Saturday, April 22
• 7 a.m. --- The Top 50 anglers launch for semifinals
• Noon --- Bassmaster Outdoors Expo opens
• 3 p.m. --- Official weigh-in takes place at Dreher Island State Park (Coverage on Bassmaster.com)
Sunday, April 23
• 7 a.m. --- Top 10 anglers launch for the final day from Dreher Island State Park
• Noon --- Bassmaster Outdoors Expo opens
• 3 p.m. --- Championship Sunday official weigh-in (Coverage on Bassmaster.com)
OTHER FEATURES
• Meet the USC Gamecock Bass Fishing Team
• Free demo boat rides by Nitro/Ranger/Mercury & Skeeter/Yamaha
• Military/First Responder Appreciation Day: Show military or first responder ID to a staff person in the Bassmaster merchandise booth for a free hat
• Local vendors, food trucks, Peak Brewery and more
ENTERTAINMENT
Saturday, April 22
• 1 p.m. -- Concert by Kristian Bush of Sugarland
ABOUT B.A.S.S.
For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it.
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition.
