Columbia River Bass Angler Tournament

The top 10 PROS in each region based on AOY points will be invited to the $250k BAM Classic Championship, provided they have participated in all three 2026 events in that region.

The winner of each Pro-Am will be invited to the BAM Classic Championship provided they have competed in three 2026 pro-am events as a PRO

1st-place Co-angler in each division by AOY points earns a pre-paid berth to the BAM Classic Championship.

Travelers’ region, those PRO anglers who do not first qualify through the previous methods will have an opportunity to qualify through the traveler’s region. BAM will invite the top four PRO anglers in AOY points who fished four or more events to the championship.

TD Director Michael Bray – (209) 769-4546

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – BAM COLUMBIA RIVER BOARDMAN PRO-AM

1st PLACE PRO WINS A NEW VEXUS 1880 powered by MERCURY 

This event is made possible by our event partner: Grant County

Watch the weigh in live on www.bamtrail.com, BAM YouTube along with on the water coverage on BAM Facebook

NOTICE: BAM requires boaters to show proof of their: OR Fishing License, Boat Liability Insurance and Boaters Card (see rule 3) before competing in any BAM event. 

Oregon Rules/ Laws:

• Life Jacket Rules – 250-010-0154 Personal Flotation Devices
• Wearable Life Jackets (Type III)  Each boat must have a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type III life jacket for each person on board.
• Life jackets must be readily accessible (not stowed away).
• Throwable Device (Type IV) Each boat must carry one Type IV throwable cushion on board.
• Inflatable Life Vests – Type III inflatable vests are allowed.
• However, you may not remove the inflatable vest unless there is also a non-inflatable Type III vest on board.
• Responsibility for Co-Anglers or Passengers
• Each person is responsible for their own life vest.
• Tournament anglers must bring and maintain their own compliant life jacket.
• Tournament Rules: Receiving a Citation is grounds for disqualification.

Sound-Producing Devices

• Boats under 39’4″ (12 meters) must carry a sound-producing device such as:
• Whistle or Compressed air horn
• A whistle attached to a life jacket is a simple way to comply.

Fire Extinguisher Not Requirement

• Required unless the boat is:
• Outboard-driven or Under 26 feet

 AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) Permit

• Out-of-state boaters must have a $20 AIS permit.
• Boating without a permit can result in a $50 fine and disqualification.
• Oregon boats must have valid registration decals.

Columbia River Fishing License Rule

• If you’re fishing from a boat on the Columbia River mainstem, either an Oregon or Washington fishing license is valid—you do not need both.
• This applies to the shared waters of the Columbia River that form the border between the two states.
• However, if you enter a tributary, you must have the license for the state in which the tributary is located.
• Example: If you’re fishing in the John Day River (a tributary in Oregon), you need an Oregon fishing license, even if you launched from Washington.

Open until August 24th at 12:01 AM

• Open No Off-limits
• Book your Housing
• Place your Tackle Warehouse order
• Grab a meal at Black Bear Diner

Monday – Tuesday August 24th and 25th:

• Off Limits – No fishing – No information

Wednesday August 26th:

• Practice Day (30 minutes prior to published sunrise to 30 minutes after published sunset)

Thursday August 27th:

• Practice Day (30 minutes prior to published sunrise and off the water at 4:00PM – Inside the 5 MPH zone and no longer fishing

Thursday August 27th:

• Mandatory Tournament check in 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM @ BAM Weigh In Trailer
• Pre-Tournament meeting at 6:00 to 6:30 – will be live on BAM Facebook
• Bring or email your valid fishing license to info@bassmag.com
• Boaters email your insurance and boaters card to info@bassmag.com
• Liability waiver, sent via text and is required before you can compete
• Fill out W9 form(required before any payment will be disbursed)
• Bring your Tackle Warehouse receipts dated within 30 days of check in for a chance at the random $500 or $250 contingency prize awarded on Day two*
• Bring your Black Bear diner receipt – $100 contingency awarded on day two
• Bring your Ford Fairfield receipt (repair, parts, or vehicle purchase) – $100 contingency
• A text with partner and flight sent about 6:30 pm (flights announced at the pre-tournament meeting)

Friday, August 28th:

• *5:00 AM Boat check opens at the BAM release boat (all boats must go through boat check and receive your official numbered boat float before starting the tournament) We will check livewells, lights and kill switches – ensure they work!
• *6:00 AM to 6:30 AM angler interviews with BAM Media
• Blast off at safe light (time announced at the pre-tournament meeting)
• BAM Vexus / Mercury Camera boat will be available for test drives and will be out shooting pictures live social updates during the event
• Pre-game show with Mark Lassagne and Big Ed Everhart – Let’s talk fishing
• Afternoon check in at the BAM Vexus / Mercury Boat – inside the 5 MPH zone, off plane and no longer fishing by your weigh in time – Turn in your Numbered Boat Float
• *Weigh in starts about 3 PM
• After weighing your fish fill your bag with water and take your fish to the release boat. NOTE: If the release boat is full and not at the dock take your fish out at least 100 yards past the 5 MPH zone and release them – be sure they are fizzed and swimming before releasing.
• You will receive a text with the next day’s partner pairing and flight info
• BAM will interview the top Pro and Co (be available)

Saturday, August 29th:

• *
• *5:30 AM Boat check opens at the BAM release boat (all boats must go through boat check and receive your official numbered boat float before starting the tournament)
• *6:00 AM to 6:30 AM angler interviews with BAM Media
• Blast off at safe light (time announced at the pre-tournament meeting)
• BAM Vexus / Mercury Camera boat will be available for test drives and will be out shooting pictures live social updates during the event
• 2:30 Pre-game show Mark Lassagne and Big Ed Everhart – Let’s talk fishing
• Afternoon check in at the BAM Vexus / Mercury Boat – inside the 5 MPH zone, off plane and no longer fishing by your weigh in time – Turn in your Numbered Boat Float
• *Weigh in starts about 3 PM
• After weighing your fish fill your bag with water and take your fish to the release boat. NOTE: If the release boat is full and not at the dock take your fish out at least 100 yards past the 5 MPH zone and release them – be sure they are fizzed and swimming before releasing
• You will receive a text with the next day’s partner pairing and flight info
• We will award the Tackle Warehouse contingency ($500 pro and $250 co)
• Award the $100 Black Bear Diner and Ford Fairfield contingencies
• We will crown the winning Scholastic angler before the top ten meeting
• Top 10 Meeting – pro’s and co’s announced directly after weighing in (top 10 must be present – rule 13)
• Pay 11th to the last check in the field, including the Scholastic anglers once Saturday’s weigh in concludes
• BAM will interview the top Pro and Co (be available)
• Angler interview and pictures with the top Pro and Co

Sunday, August 30th:

• *5:00 AM Boat check opens at the BAM release boat (all boats must go through boat check and receive your official numbered boat float before starting the tournament)
• *6:00 AM to 6:30 AM angler interviews with BAM Media
• Blast off at safe light (time announced at the pre-tournament meeting)
• BAM Vexus / Mercury Camera boat will be available for test drives and will be out shooting pictures live social updates during the event
• 12:00 -3:00 4 to 4 Ever Inc Kids Event – Angler Volunteers Needed
• 2:30 Pre-game show with Mark Lassagne and Big Ed Everhart – Let’s talk fishing
• Afternoon check in at TBA – inside the 5 MPH zone, off plane and no longer fishing by your weigh in time – Turn in your Numbered Boat Float
• *Weigh in starts about 3 PM
• Announce the Bass Boat Technology contingency
• Crown a Champion, award the Vexus / Mercury prize boat, trophies and pay the field, shortly after Sunday’s weigh in
• Angler photos and interviews with the three top Pro’s and Co’s

– *Boat checks – each morning at the Live Release (times will be announced at the pre-tournament meeting)

– Sponsors announced, morning prayer, national anthem and morning blast off will be at the 5 MPH buoy from the BAM Vexus / Mercury boat

*You must check in on Thursday and cross the stage on Saturday to be eligible for the Tackle Warehouse and Black Bear contingencies

Note: Anglers are encouraged to wear their jersey during the event and on stage

BAM is a professional organization where anglers are expected to act in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner
https://bamtrail.com/event/26-columbia-river-proam/