In 1972, the B.A.S.S. Federation system was created to enable B.A.S.S. Clubs within a state to communicate and cooperate with other B.A.S.S. Clubs and Federations.

When affiliated clubs in each state combine to form a B.A.S.S. Federation, they provide a framework to ultimately act and speak as a united voice on issues affecting the future of fishing and the preservation of our natural resources.

Today, there are 6 international Federations and 46 state federations made up of approximately 2,000 clubs and 40,000 members. The South Carolina Bass Federation, Inc. has approximately 825 members with 62 clubs. In 1996, 900 anglers entered the state trail tournaments.

As a member of the B.A.S.S. Federation, an angler has the opportunity to go from the local club level to the championship of bass fishing, the BASS Masters Classic.

Each state Federation has established a qualification system and in South Carolina it begins with the local affiliated club tournaments. There are three paths an angler can take to qualify for the South Carolina state team. One is to fish the six trail tournaments put on by the state Federation. The top four finishers overall in these tournaments advance to the state team. The second way an angler can get to the state team is by fishing the Six Man Team Tournament. In 1997, 516 anglers entered this tournament which was the largest held on Lake Murray, S.C. The top four finishers in this tournament also move on to the state team. The third way an angler can qualify for the state team is finish in the top four in the State Championship. The State Championship consist of fifty (50) anglers of the average anglers that fish the State Federation Trail and a like number qualify from the Six Man Team Tournament. These four anglers from this State Championship and the other eight qualifiers make the twelve anglers that compose the South Carolina Bass Federation, Inc. State Team.

The state team of twelve anglers go on to the Southern Division tournament. The top angler in this tournament is the State Champion and goes on to the B.A.S.S. Federation Championship. Finally, the anglers fish against other anglers in their division and the top angler from each division advances to the BASS Masters Classic.

The South Carolina Bass Federation, Inc. is the only tournament organization in state that can lead to the BASS Masters Classic. For more information concerning the South Carolina Bass Federation, Inc., please contact one of the following officers.