Bassmaster Classic
Encyclopedia
The Bassmaster Classic is a competition in professional bass fishing
. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead
, Nevada
. Originally it was a fall event (1971-1983), but it switched to the summer in 1984 and then to the late winter in 2006. The winner of the tournament is widely considered to be the world champion of bass fishing, as is stated on the winner's trophy.
The event has turned into a three-day spectacle, complete with a theatrical presentation of the weigh-ins and hours of television coverage. ESPN
purchased Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS), which organizes the event, and increased coverage of the event and the Classic's profile.
Rick Clunn
held the record for winnning the most Bassmaster Classic titles for many years. In 2011, Kevin VanDam
tied his record of winning four events in New Orleans . Bobby Murray, Hank Parker
and George Cochran have won twice each.
First-place money has grown from $10,000 in 1971 to $500,000 in 2006.
The Bassmaster Classic takes place over three days. All fish are caught under catch-and-release rules, must measure at least 12 inches, and must be alive at the time they are presented for weigh-in or a penalty will be assessed. There is a cut after the second day, in which only the 25 top anglers, based on total weight, advance to the third day. The highest total weight after three days wins the competition.
Contestants can only fish in specified areas at the competition venue. This is usually a lake
, but the 2005 competition was held at Three Rivers (Allegheny River
and Monongahela River
which forms the Ohio River
) in Pittsburgh
, with some competitors using tributaries such as the Beaver River
and Youghiogheny River
dozens of miles from the confluence. In 2009 the classic used a 100 mile stretch of the Red River
in Shreveport, Louisiana
. In 2011, the Classic was held on the Louisiana Delta.
From its inception to 1976, the Classic was held at a "mystery lake," unknown to competitors until they were aboard an aircraft bound for the site. Founder Ray Scott changed the practice for the 1977 Classic, announcing the site in advance so that fans of the sport could plan ahead to attend.
Bass fishing
Bass fishing is the activity of angling for the North American gamefish known colloquially as the black bass. There are numerous black bass species considered as gamefish in North America, including largemouth bass , smallmouth bass , Spotted bass or Kentucky bass , Guadalupe bass Bass fishing is...
. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead
Lake Mead
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River about southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona. Formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam, it extends behind the dam, holding approximately of water.-History:The lake was...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Originally it was a fall event (1971-1983), but it switched to the summer in 1984 and then to the late winter in 2006. The winner of the tournament is widely considered to be the world champion of bass fishing, as is stated on the winner's trophy.
The event has turned into a three-day spectacle, complete with a theatrical presentation of the weigh-ins and hours of television coverage. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
purchased Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS), which organizes the event, and increased coverage of the event and the Classic's profile.
Rick Clunn
Rick Clunn
Rick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman from Ava, Missouri. He has won 4 Bassmaster Classic. More than any other angler except for Kevin VanDam, who also has 4 Classics under his belt. Clunn is considered one of the best anglers of all time and has over 100 top ten appearances and has won 17...
held the record for winnning the most Bassmaster Classic titles for many years. In 2011, Kevin VanDam
Kevin VanDam
Kevin VanDam , often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011...
tied his record of winning four events in New Orleans . Bobby Murray, Hank Parker
Hank Parker
Hank Parker is a well-known professional bass fisherman in the United States.In 1979 and again in 1989, the native of Maiden, NC won the Bassmaster Classic, the biggest event in his sport. He is one of only four anglers to win the event more than once....
and George Cochran have won twice each.
First-place money has grown from $10,000 in 1971 to $500,000 in 2006.
Rules and procedures
The field has ranged from 24 to 61 players. In 2011, the field was 50 anglers. The 2009 competition included women for the first time. However, neither of the two women qualified within the top 20 and 2010 was the last year for women to be given a classic spot. As in previous years, they have to earn a spot in the opens.The Bassmaster Classic takes place over three days. All fish are caught under catch-and-release rules, must measure at least 12 inches, and must be alive at the time they are presented for weigh-in or a penalty will be assessed. There is a cut after the second day, in which only the 25 top anglers, based on total weight, advance to the third day. The highest total weight after three days wins the competition.
Contestants can only fish in specified areas at the competition venue. This is usually a lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
, but the 2005 competition was held at Three Rivers (Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
and Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
which forms the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
) in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, with some competitors using tributaries such as the Beaver River
Beaver River (Pennsylvania)
The Beaver River is a tributary of the Ohio River in Western Pennsylvania in the United States with a length of approximately 21 mi . It flows through a historically important coal-producing region north of Pittsburgh...
and Youghiogheny River
Youghiogheny River
The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
dozens of miles from the confluence. In 2009 the classic used a 100 mile stretch of the Red River
Red River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
in Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
. In 2011, the Classic was held on the Louisiana Delta.
From its inception to 1976, the Classic was held at a "mystery lake," unknown to competitors until they were aboard an aircraft bound for the site. Founder Ray Scott changed the practice for the 1977 Classic, announcing the site in advance so that fans of the sport could plan ahead to attend.
Past winners
- Most Second place finishes, Aaron Martens. In the words of the Great Mark Uzzell, " Aaron is 5 fish away from being Kevin VanDam"
- 1971: Bobby Murray, Hot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
- 1972: Don Butler, Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, OklahomaTulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
- 1973: Rayo Breckenridge, Paragould, ArkansasParagould, Arkansas-Health & Education:Paragould is home to Arkansas State University Paragould, Arkansas Northeastern College, Black River Technical College, and Crowley's Ridge College. Paragould has two public school districts, the Greene County Technical School District and the Paragould School District, as well...
- 1974: Tommy Martin, Decatur, AlabamaDecatur, AlabamaDecatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
- 1975: Jack Hains, Rayne, LouisianaRayne, LouisianaRayne is a city in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,552 at the 2000 census. It is nicknamed the "Frog Capital of the World", as well as the "Louisiana City of Murals".Rayne is part of the Crowley Micropolitan Statistical Area....
- 1976: Rick ClunnRick ClunnRick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman from Ava, Missouri. He has won 4 Bassmaster Classic. More than any other angler except for Kevin VanDam, who also has 4 Classics under his belt. Clunn is considered one of the best anglers of all time and has over 100 top ten appearances and has won 17...
, Montgomery, TexasMontgomery, TexasMontgomery is a city located in Montgomery County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 489. It is the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag of Texas.-History:... - 1977: Rick ClunnRick ClunnRick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman from Ava, Missouri. He has won 4 Bassmaster Classic. More than any other angler except for Kevin VanDam, who also has 4 Classics under his belt. Clunn is considered one of the best anglers of all time and has over 100 top ten appearances and has won 17...
- 1978: Bobby Murray
- 1979: Hank ParkerHank ParkerHank Parker is a well-known professional bass fisherman in the United States.In 1979 and again in 1989, the native of Maiden, NC won the Bassmaster Classic, the biggest event in his sport. He is one of only four anglers to win the event more than once....
, Clover, South CarolinaClover, South CarolinaClover is a town in York County, South Carolina, United States located in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area. As of July 2009, the population was at 5,158 within the town limits.... - 1980: Bo Dowden, Natchitoches, LouisianaNatchitoches, LouisianaNatchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
- 1981: Stanley Mitchell, Fitzgerald, GeorgiaFitzgerald, GeorgiaFitzgerald is a city in Ben Hill in the U.S. state of Georgia, and is the county seat of Ben Hill County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 9,053...
- 1982: Paul Elias, Laurel, MississippiLaurel, MississippiLaurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of...
- 1983: Larry Nixon, Hemphill, TexasHemphill, TexasHemphill is a city in Sabine County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,106 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sabine County. It is located on State Highway 87 at the junction of State Highway 184, and is surrounded by the Sabine National Forest and the Toledo Bend...
- 1984: Rick ClunnRick ClunnRick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman from Ava, Missouri. He has won 4 Bassmaster Classic. More than any other angler except for Kevin VanDam, who also has 4 Classics under his belt. Clunn is considered one of the best anglers of all time and has over 100 top ten appearances and has won 17...
- 1985: Jack Chancellor, Phenix City, AlabamaPhenix City, AlabamaPhenix City is a city and the county seat in Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama. Portions of Lee County are addressed as Phenix City, 36870 ZIP code, for the sole purpose that Smiths Station does not have full incorporation to annex the area...
- 1986: Charlie Reed, Broken Bow, OklahomaBroken Bow, OklahomaBroken Bow is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,230 at the 2000 census. It is named after Broken Bow, Nebraska, the former hometown of the city's founders, the Dierks brothers.-History:...
- 1987: George Cochran, North Little Rock, ArkansasNorth Little Rock, Arkansasthe city was 62.55% White, 33.98% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races...
- 1988: Guido Hibdon, Gravois Mills, MissouriGravois Mills, MissouriGravois Mills is a village in Morgan County, Missouri, United States. The population was 208 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town.-Geography:Gravois Mills is located at ....
- 1989: Hank Parker (had moved to Denver, North CarolinaDenver, North CarolinaDenver, formerly known as "Dry Pond," is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated on North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman on the Catawba River...
) - 1990: Rick ClunnRick ClunnRick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman from Ava, Missouri. He has won 4 Bassmaster Classic. More than any other angler except for Kevin VanDam, who also has 4 Classics under his belt. Clunn is considered one of the best anglers of all time and has over 100 top ten appearances and has won 17...
- 1991: Ken Cook, Meeks, Oklahoma
- 1992: Robert Hamilton, Jr, Nashville, TN
- 1993: David Fritts, Lexington, North CarolinaLexington, North CarolinaLexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 ...
- 1994: Bryan Kerchel, Newtown, ConnecticutNewtown, ConnecticutNewtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
(first winner from the East CoastEast Coast of the United StatesThe East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
and the first BASS Federation member to win the classic) - 1995: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, ArkansasMount Ida, ArkansasMount Ida is a city in Montgomery County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 981 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is known as the quartz crystal capital of the U.S...
- 1996: George Cochran (had moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas)
- 1997: Dion Hibdon, Stover, MissouriStover, MissouriStover is a city in Morgan County, Missouri, United States. The population was 968 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stover is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
(Son of 1988 Classic champion Guido Hibdon) - 1998: Denny Brauer, Camdenton, MissouriCamdenton, MissouriCamdenton is a city in Camden County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,779 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Camden County. The city is enveloped by the Lower Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks and serves as a popular trade point for visitors to the...
- 1999: Davy Hite, Prosperity, South CarolinaProsperity, South CarolinaProsperity is a town in Newberry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,047 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prosperity is located at ....
- 2000: Woo Daves, Spring Grove, Virginia
- 2001: Kevin VanDamKevin VanDamKevin VanDam , often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011...
, Kalamazoo, MichiganKalamazoo, MichiganThe area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to... - 2002: Jay Yelas, Tyler, TexasTyler, TexasTyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
(now resides in Albany, Oregon) - 2003: Michael IaconelliMichael IaconelliMichael Iaconelli is a professional bass fisherman from Runnemede, New Jersey United States. He has 3 children, Drew, Riley and Vegas. Iaconelli is best known for his trademark scream when he lands a big fish.-Early career:...
, Woodbury Heights, New JerseyWoodbury Heights, New JerseyWoodbury Heights is a Borough located in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 2,988.... - 2004: Takahiro Omori, Emory, TexasEmory, TexasEmory is a city in Rains County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rains County. Previously known as Springville, the city is named after Emory Rains who was a legislator from the area. Rains was the author of the Homestead Law of Texas...
(but born in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
; first foreign-born winner) - 2005: Kevin VanDamKevin VanDamKevin VanDam , often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011...
, Kalamazoo, MichiganKalamazoo, MichiganThe area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to... - 2006: Luke ClausenLuke ClausenLuke Clausen of the Spokane Valley is a professional fisherman. Clausen won the 36th Citgo Bassmaster Classic held on Lake Tohopekaliga in central Florida, from February 23–26, 2006.-References:...
, Spokane Valley, WashingtonSpokane Valley, WashingtonSpokane Valley is an incorporated city in Spokane County, Washington, United States. It is located east of Spokane and west of Coeur d'Alene. It surrounds the town of Millwood on three sides...
(first winner from a West CoastWest Coast of the United StatesWest Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
state; set record for total catch with 52 pounds, nine ounces) - 2007: Boyd Duckett, Demopolis, AlabamaDemopolis, AlabamaDemopolis is the largest city in Marengo County, Alabama, United States. The population was 7,483 at the time of the 2010 United States Census....
(first to win championship in home-state waters) - 2008: Alton Jones, Waco, TexasWaco, TexasWaco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
- 2009: Skeet ReeseSkeet ReeseSkeet Reese is a professional sport fisherman of the B.A.S.S. . He was born in Auburn, California on June 30, 1969. He has a wife, Kim, and a two daughters, Leamarie and Courtney....
, Auburn, CaliforniaAuburn, CaliforniaAuburn is the county seat of Placer County, California. Its population at the 2010 census was 13,330. Auburn is known for its California Gold Rush history.Auburn is part of the Greater Sacramento area.- History :... - 2010: Kevin VanDamKevin VanDamKevin VanDam , often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011...
, Kalamazoo, MichiganKalamazoo, MichiganThe area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to... - 2011: Kevin VanDamKevin VanDamKevin VanDam , often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011...
, Kalamazoo, MichiganKalamazoo, MichiganThe area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...