TowBoatUS Battle of Chickamauga Classic set for April 28

by Fish Dayton Press Releases

The most exciting high school bass fishing tournament in the nation returns to Dayton, Tennessee, as the TowBoatUS Battle of Chickamauga High School Classic presented by CATCH Ministry is set for Saturday, April 28.  Click here to register online.

Yes.  It’s the tournament that has an actual cannon firing during blast-off, a championship belt, and weighing in on a full concert stage equipped with “hot seat”, music, and LED lighting.

This is all part of the atmosphere organizers Fish Dayton and CATCH Ministry have created in order to give high school anglers a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the most exciting high school event in the nation.

Springville (AL) Anglers Logan Henderson and Steven Swann – 2017 Battle of Chickamauga Champions

With a field of 347 boats and 1,033 total participants, last year’s event was easily the largest field in B.A.S.S. tournament history.  Logan Henderson and Steven Swann from the Springville (Ala.) Anglers won the event with a 24-pound, 1-ounce limit of bass that now ranks as one of the largest ever caught in a B.A.S.S. high school open event.

Payouts greater than 100% of registration fees will be paid thanks to the many sponsors: including title sponsor TowBoatUS, Bass Pro Shops, Real Deal Tackle, Bunch Marine, Shimano, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Frogg Toggs, and Solar Bat to name a few.

According to Fish Dayton Director Dennis Tumlin, it’s not the just bright lights that draws the best high school anglers from around the country – it’s the chance to catch monster bass in Lake Chickamauga.

“The event atmosphere is one-of-a-kind but so is the fishing.  Where else do you have a chance to catch a 10-pound bass on every cast,” states Tumlin.

Tumlin isn’t exagerating.  In last year’s event, a 10 pound 11 ounce largemouth was brought in by Chase Carter and Adam Sansom of the North West Georgia Anglers for the largest bass ever weighed in a Bassmaster High School open event.

2015 Battle of Chick winners, Soddy Daisy High School’s Elijah Cartwright and Jacob Thomas with 32.59 lbs – (5 Fish) (photo: Gary Bolden)

In 2015, Soddy Daisy High School’s Elijah Cartwright and Jacob Thomas dropped a five fish limit worth 32.59 pounds on the scales to win the inaugural title.

“It was the largest Bassmaster high school state event when it started, and it’s grown each year,” states David Lowrie who serves as Bassmaster’s Tennessee High School Director.

“As a state director and high school coach, I know how exciting it is for team to carry the belt for a year.”

2016 Champs – Grundy County’s Kyle Ingleburger, Coach David Lowrie, and Kyle Palmer (ElmerHarris)

Lowrie knows this first hand as his team of Kyle Ingleburger and Kyle Palmer won the 2016 event with 29.57 pounds to take the championship belt back to Grundy County High School.

But it’s not the belt or the bass that brings scores of volunteers from CATCH Ministry to support and help organize the event.

“For us, it’s about sharing the gospel for us.  We’re just excited to be able to have an impact and make a difference in these young lives,” says CATCH Ministry’s Kevin Johnson

“These kids are worth the effort and that’s why we do what we do,” adds Keith Gombash of CATCH Ministry who as the event’s stage announcer, knows how to bring out the Elite Series Pro in all competitors – even the shy ones.

In addition to the high school event, there will also be junior event for younger anglers that runs concurrent with the high school event.  Juniors will weigh-in on the same stage one hour earlier.

#BASSTOWNUSA

Dayton is also the perfect place for families coming to support their favorite high school angler.  Since the first Battle of Chickamauga Classic in 2015, there has been over 13 million dollars in private capital invested in lodging and dining alone.

As event sponsors Dayton’s new Sleep Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express love high school fishing and the families that support them.

“We are always excited to have high school anglers and their families stay with us,” states Van Meter Hotels COO Nathaniel Eastwood.  “These events have a positive impact on our community.”

Registrants will also receive an $8 voucher to use at the following restaurants: Monkey Town Brewing Company, Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant, Carrabelle’s, Screen Door Café, and Ayala’s Mexican Restaurant.

There will be a mandatory Safety and Rules meeting at the Dayton Boat Dock & Grill on Friday, April 27 at 7pm .

Register or learn more about the TowBoatUS Battle of Chickamauga here. Learn more on their Facebook page or by contacting Dennis Tumlin with the Rhea County Economic and Tourism Council at 423-775-6171 or dennistumlin@rheacountyetc.com.