FISHING: Hot Springs ready for world bass fishing extravaganza | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Hot Springs is preparing for the Bass Fishing World Championship on Lake Hamilton, scheduled for Oct. 1-3. Organizers say the competition will be the 20th edition of the only globally sanctioned world championship for bass fishing, bringing teams from 22 nations. Along with the United States, countries include Australia, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England, France, Guatemala, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, and Venezuela. The USA Bass Team will defend its gold medal from the 19th World Championship in South Africa. For 2026, the USA roster features Kevin VanDam, Scott Martin, Dustin Connell, Drew Gill, Ott Defoe, and Dakota Ebare, with Ebare replacing Jacob Wheeler after Wheeler withdrew Aug. 6 citing family obligations.