The Association of Collegiate Anglers have announced that Florence/Lauderdale Tourism will host the newly created "Big Bass Bash" at Pickwick Lake on March 25-27. The event is open to all institutionally recognized college fishing clubs and becomes the third major, nationally televised event of the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series.

This unique event will feature hourly weigh-ins with prizes awarded for first, second and third place each hour, plus additional awards for the three biggest bass overall. The Big Bass Bash will also be one of several BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series events that qualifies for a number of sponsor incentive awards from companies such as BoatUS, Cabela's, Abu Garcia, Columbia, Costa Del Mar, Sperry, Gemini and others.

Competitors will be allowed to weigh only one bass each hour, which will make it critical to choose the right time to weigh a bass. The student anglers will also be faced with tough decisions regarding how far to venture from the weigh-in site each day. Daily weigh-ins will take place at McFarland Park in Florence, Ala., beginning at 9:00 am on March 26 and 27.

Camera teams from CarecoTV will be on hand to capture all the action at the event. Two hours of dedicated coverage will be featured on the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship television series, airing on the Versus network during the fall of 2011.

Under the leadership of the Association of Collegiate Anglers, collegiate bass fishing continues to grow at an astounding pace as new fishing clubs are forming rapidly at universities throughout the country. Please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com for current news and information about collegiate bass fishing.