Wiley X College Faceoffs Represent New Opportunities for College Anglers
Major League Fishing announced on Monday the schedule for the upcoming 2020 Wiley X College Faceoffs. The four-event series will feature 20 college fishing teams – two teams each from 10 different schools – who have qualified through their performances in select Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by Yeti tournaments.
“This is an opportunity that has never been available before because it hadn’t been created yet,” MLF co-founder and Bass Pro Tour angler Gary Klein said. “Young anglers that are fishing in the Abu Garcia College Fishing series and now the Wiley X College Faceoffs are one day going to be replacing myself and other professional anglers. This is an important step in building a future for the next generation of pros.”
The College Faceoff Experience
The Wiley X College Faceoffs, like the Bass Pro Tour, will have no entry fees. The 20 teams in each of the four events will be fishing the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format. Klein believes the experience that this new format provides can really grow the college anglers into better all-around fisherman.
“These young anglers will be experiencing the MLF format, some for the first time ever,” Klein said. “This new format for them will make them develop more techniques, a better understanding of the fish and themselves. I think they will be up to the task because they all have a passion for the sport, just like I did at that age.”
MLF pro Randy Howell was on hand for a couple of the College Faceoff events last season. The North Carolina native saw first-hand what an opportunity like the College Faceoffs provide to college anglers hoping one day to become pros.
“This really paves a way for these college anglers to become pros like never before,” Howell said. “There is now a roadmap for these kids to follow if they want to one day become a professional and fish on the MLF Bass Pro Tour or the FLW Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Faceoff Details
The Top 10 schools from each of the select Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI events with the most combined Tackle Warehouse Team of the Year points from their two highest-finishing individual teams will qualify for the MLF College Faceoffs. Competition waters will be in proximity to the host cities, with exact fishery details revealed to tournament anglers before the start of each event.
Each tournament will receive coverage through the MLF and FLW websites and social media outlets, including interviews and a trophy presentation for top finishers on Facebook and Instagram Live. Top individual teams will be recognized, but the school with the highest total combined weight from their two participating teams will be crowned MLF Faceoff Champion.
2020 MLF College Faceoffs Schedule
April 4: Raleigh, N.C.
- Qualifying tournament: Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI Open at Kentucky Lake, March 17-18
April 25: Grove, Okla.
- Qualifying tournament: Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI at Fort Gibson Lake, March 27
June 6: Winnebago, Wis.
- Qualifying tournament: Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI at Table Rock Lake, March 6
June 27: Ogdensburg, N.Y.
- Qualifying tournament: Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI at Smith Mountain Lake, April 17