What Is Bassmaster Tuesday Night Live?
Quick Answer
Bassmaster Tuesday Night LIVE is the first-ever Bassmaster Tuesday night tournament, taking place April 21, 2026 on Table Rock Lake. Eight Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pros will compete in a three-hour, team-format shootout from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. CT, launching from Mill Creek Boat Ramp in Kimberling City, Missouri. The event features fan-voted pairings, a traditional boat-ramp weigh-in, limited commercial interruptions, and a $5000 cash prize, streamed live across Bassmaster platforms.
Bassmaster Tuesday Night Live Format Breakdown
The format is simple, and that’s the point. Four boats, eight Elite Series pros, and one fast-paced three-hour evening session. Teams will consist of one boater paired with one non-boater, with fans voting online to determine the matchups.
Boaters: Drew Cook, Drew Benton, Bryan New, Kyle Welcher
Non-Boaters: Chris Johnston, Mike Iaconelli, Jason Christie, Kyle Patrick
Blast-off begins at 4:30 p.m. CT, and anglers return at 7:30 p.m. for a no-frills weigh-in at the ramp, just like weekly jackpot tournaments held across the country.
The entire competition will be streamed live with limited commercial interruption, allowing fans to follow the action in real time. Spectators can also attend the weigh-in in person, creating a local-tournament atmosphere powered by professional talent.
Why It Exists
Tuesday Night LIVE was designed to reconnect professional bass fishing with its grassroots foundation. Instead of a multi-day production with massive staging and arena weigh-ins, this event mirrors the energy and simplicity of a local weeknight derby, complete with quick decisions, and a short shot clock.
With hosts Mark Zona and Dave Mercer bringing personality and play-by-play from the ramp, the goal is authenticity. No big stage. No overproduction. Just elite anglers competing on one of the country’s most iconic fisheries in April.
How It Differs from the Bassmaster Classic
The Bassmaster Classic is bass fishing’s grandest stage. It is a multi-day championship event with arena weigh-ins, massive crowds, and career defining stakes.
Tuesday Night LIVE is intentionally different. It’s one evening. Three hours. A ramp weigh-in. Minimal production. Bragging rights and a whole lot of smack talk and fun friendly competitive vibes. While the Classic crowns a world champion, Tuesday Night LIVE captures the spirit of the Tuesday night jackpot that everyday anglers know and love.
Admittedly, Tuesday Night Live does pay more than your average tuesday nighter, the payout is $5000 for the winning team, but that is not much compared to the $300,000 that the Classic pays!
Who Should Care
Hardcore bass fans will appreciate seeing Elite pros operate in a compressed, high-pressure format where every cast matters. Local tournament anglers will relate to the short clock and team dynamics. And anyone who loves fishing Table Rock Lake in April knows how dynamic that bite can be.
If you’ve ever rushed to make it to a 4:30 blast-off after work, this event was built for you, just elevated with some of the biggest names in professional bass fishing!
Read more in the official Bassmaster announcement.
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