Amateur Anglers to Compete for $1.25 Million in Elite Bass Fishing Tournament
Two 'Average Joes' have been selected to compete against 60 of the world's best professional bass anglers in a tournament with a record $3.25 million purse.
Eric Giessing and Kyle Carr, described as "Average Joes," will face off against 60 elite professional bass anglers this fall in The Champions tournament, featuring a $3.25 million purse, the largest in bass fishing history. The winner stands to take home $1.25 million.
World Bass Enterprises (WBE) announced that Giessing, 53, of Farmington, Mo., and Carr, 39, of Gatesville, Texas, were selected through a process to compete in the event scheduled for October 28 to November 1 on Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee, near Nashville.
"Fans of every sport wonder how they'd fare competing against the pros," said WBE founder and CEO Brian Bird. "We thought it would be neat to give bass fishing fans the chance to actually answer that question. Eric and Kyle will now get to see how they stack up against the pros."
The tournament will bring together top anglers from both the Bassmaster and Major League Fishing circuits. The field includes notable professionals such as Trey McKinney, the youngest Bassmaster Angler of the Year; Jordan Lee and Hank Cherry, both two-time Bassmaster Classic champions; and Jason Christie, the 2022 Classic champion. Other prominent competitors include Jacob Wheeler, a four-time Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year and REDCREST champion; Dustin Connell, a three-time REDCREST champion; and Ott DeFoe, the 2019 Bassmaster Classic winner.
Despite the "Average Joe" moniker, Giessing and Carr are not novices. Giessing has five years of amateur fishing experience, primarily around Lake of the Ozarks, and fishes in various amateur events. He describes himself as a power fisherman aiming to push his competitive limits.
Carr, who grew up fishing with his father, competes in tournaments such as the Cen-Tex Bass Hunters and the Tuesday Night Tight Lines 3x9 Series. He emphasizes sportsmanship and conservation, developed from his early experiences.
The Champions tournament aims to unify the sport's major professional circuits. WBE stated that Giessing and Carr will receive the same treatment as the professional anglers and will depart with prize money regardless of their final standings.