More than 275 two-person collegiate fishing teams are expected to compete in the 2026 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open on Lake Dardanelle Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11.
The Arkansas Tech University fishing club will be represented in the event by the teams of Wiley Carrol of Charleston and Gabe Hagler of Nashville, Kyle Pinkston of Hot Springs and Zeke Stevens of Springdale, Lathen McGuire of Clarksville and Dante Snowden of Fayetteville and David McKamie of Charleston and Matthew Curtis of Charleston.
The collegiate anglers in attendance will be competing for more than $30,000 in total prizes.
The AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open is part of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, which is in its 22nd year.
The tournament is made possible through support provided by the Russellville Advertising and Promotion Commission, which has partnered with the Association of Collegiate Anglers to bring events to Lake Dardanelle since 2016.
According to information provided by the Russellville Advertising and Promotion Commission, the 2025 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open had an estimated economic impact of $573,000 on the Arkansas River Valley.
The ATU fishing club is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. Arkansas Tech won the Association of Collegiate Anglers national school of the year award in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Cody Neal, ATU athletic facilities manager, serves as staff advisor for the ATU fishing club, which is a registered student organization at Arkansas Tech.
