Bassmaster Classic

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The Bassmaster Classic (known as the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic for sponsorship reasons) is a tournament in the sport of professional bass fishing, organized by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead, Nevada. Originally it was a fall event, (1971-1983) but it switched to a summer event in 1984 and then to a late winter event in 2006.

Contents

Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam have each won the event four times. Jordan Lee, Bobby Murray, Hank Parker, George Cochran and Hank Cherry have each won twice.

First-place money has grown from $10,000 in 1971 to $500,000 in 2006; it was reduced to $300,000 in 2014. [1]

History

Bassmaster Classic-founder Ray Scott (left), then-Vice President George H. W. Bush (second from left), and then-Second Lady Barbara Bush (third from left), and then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton (far right) at the 1984 Bassmaster Classic George H. W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ray Scott at the Bass Anglers Tournament in Pine Bluff.jpg
Bassmaster Classic-founder Ray Scott (left), then-Vice President George H. W. Bush (second from left), and then-Second Lady Barbara Bush (third from left), and then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton (far right) at the 1984 Bassmaster Classic

In 1968, Ray Scott officially formed and incorporated the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). Don Butler from Oklahoma would become the first B.A.S.S. member after paying Ray Scott $100 for a lifetime membership. The first ever Bassmaster Magazine would also be published in the same year.

Rules and procedures

The field has ranged from 24 to 61 anglers. The 2009 competition included women for the first time. 2010 was the last year for women to be given a specific Classic spot. As in previous years, they now have to earn a spot via the Opens or, qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series and have enough success to gain a spot to the Classic. The Bassmaster College Series, B.A.S.S. Nation and the Team Championship also offer paths to the Classic.

The Bassmaster Classic takes place over three days. All fish are caught under catch-and-release rules, must measure at least 12 inches (or as that state law requires), 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 1980 Classic was held on the Saint Lawrence River out of Alexandria Bay, NY, 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 miles from the confluence. In 2009 and 2012 the Classic used a 100-mile stretch of the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2011, the Classic was held on the Louisiana Delta. The Classic venue continues to change from year to year, but tends to revisit prior Classic sites as well.

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.

Live Scope

The debate of the tool known as "Live Scope" has been a controversial topic since its introduction. Up until 2015, anglers would have to use traditional sonar, local charts, and traditional fishing methods such as 'flippin' and pitching to locate and catch fish. In 2015 however, Garmin, an American technology company, developed the first live scanning sonar. This new technology, known as live scope, would sweep the bass fishing world by storm allowing anglers to watch the fish strike their bait in real time. Live scope made sonar, underwater charts, and traditional fishing methods obsolete as you could watch everything happing underwater on a high resolution screen.

In 2021, live scope was used in the Bassmaster Classic for the first time. The anglers who used it would go on to consistently be top performers at the event. Bassmaster angler Jason Christie would go on to say "It was the easiest fishing I’d ever had in my life". The success of live scope would go on to spark many debates on whether contestants should be allowed to use such a tool. Many anglers advocate for it, but just as many hope it will be banned.

Before the 2025 season, B.A.S.S was pressured into making a decision on the application of live scope. On September 4th, B.A.S.S released a statement explaining that live scope would not be banned. Instead, all anglers participating in the Bassmaster Elite Series and contenders for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, would be forced to follow equipment standardization rules. These rules would implement significant guidelines on what and how much technology can be used in the event.

Past editions

YearEditionChampionWeight lbs ozBoatMain body of waterHost town/cityWeigh-in venueTakeoff (launch) locationOutdoors Expo venueDate
1971I Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Murray43-11Rebel Lake Mead, NV [a] ———Oct 20-22 [2]
1972II Flag of the United States.svg Don Butler38-11RangerPercy Priest Reservoir, TN [b] ———Oct 25-27 [3]
1973III Flag of the United States.svg Rayo Breckenridge52-8BassCat Clarks Hill Lake, SC [c] ———Oct 24-26 [4]
1974IV Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Martin33-7BassCat Wheeler Lake, AL—Oct 30 - Nov 1
1975V Flag of the United States.svg Jack Hains45-4Ranger Currituck Sound, NC—Oct 29-31
1976VI Flag of the United States.svg Rick Clunn 59-15Ranger Lake Guntersville, AL—Nov 3-5
1977VII Flag of the United States.svg Rick Clunn 27-7RangerKissimmee Chain, FL—Oct 26-28
1978VIII Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Murray37-9Ranger Ross Barnett Reservoir, MS—Oct 25-27
1979IX Flag of the United States.svg Hank Parker 31-0Ranger Lake Texoma, TX—Sep 26-28
1980X Flag of the United States.svg Bo Dowden54-10Ranger St. Lawrence River, NY Alexandria Bay —Sep 24-26 [5]
1981XI Flag of the United States.svg Stanley Mitchell35-2Ranger Alabama River, AL Montgomery Montgomery Civic CenterMontgomery Civic Center South HallOct 15-17 [6]
1982XII Flag of the United States.svg Paul Elias32-8RangerAlabama River, AL Montgomery Montgomery Civic CenterMontgomery Civic Center South HallOct 14-16 [6]
1983XIII Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nixon18-1Ranger Ohio River, OH Cincinnati Aug 4-5 [7]
1984XIV Flag of the United States.svg Rick Clunn 75-9Ranger Arkansas River, ARAug 16-18
1985XV Flag of the United States.svg Jack Chancellor45-0RangerArkansas River, ARAug 15-17
1986XVI Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Reed23-9Ranger Tennessee River, TNAug 14-16
1987XVII Flag of the United States.svg George Cochran15-5RangerOhio River, KY Louisville Aug 13-15 [8]
1988XVIII Flag of the United States.svg Guido Hibdon28-8Ranger James River, VA Richmond Richmond Coliseum Aug 25-27 [6]
1989XVIV Flag of the United States.svg Hank Parker31-6RangerJames River, VA Richmond Richmond Coliseum Aug 17-19 [6]
1990XV Flag of the United States.svg Rick Clunn 34-5RangerJames River, VA Richmond Richmond Coliseum Aug 23-25 [6]
1991XVI Flag of the United States.svg Ken Cook33-2Ranger Chesapeake Bay, MDAug 22-24
1992XVII Flag of the United States.svg Robert Hamilton, Jr59-6Ranger Lake Logan Martin, ALJul 30 - Aug 1
1993XVIII Flag of the United States.svg David Fritts48-6RangerLake Logan Martin, ALAug 12-14
1994XVIV Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Kerchal36-7Ranger High Rock Lake, NCJul 28-30
1995XVV Flag of the United States.svg Mark Davis 47-14RangerHigh Rock Lake, NCAug 3-5
1996XVI Flag of the United States.svg George Cochran31-14RangerLay Lake, ALAug 8-10
1997XVII Flag of the United States.svg Dion Hibdon34-13RangerLake Logan Martin, ALAug 7-9
1998XVIII Flag of the United States.svg Denny Brauer46-3RangerHigh Rock Lake, NCAug 6-8
1999 XXIV Flag of the United States.svg Davy Hite55-10RangerLouisiana Delta, LA New Orleans Louisiana Superdome Jul 29-31 [6]
2000 XXX Flag of the United States.svg Woo Daves27-13Ranger Lake Michigan, IL Chicago Soldier Field McCormick Place Jul 20-22 [6] [9]
2001 XXXI Flag of the United States.svg Kevin VanDam 32-5TritonLouisiana Delta, LA New Orleans Louisiana Superdome Aug 2-4 [6]
2002XXXII Flag of the United States.svg Jay Yelas45-13Skeeter Lay Lake, ALJul 25-27
2003 XXXIII Flag of the United States.svg Michael Iaconelli 37-14TritonLouisiana Delta, LA New Orleans Louisiana Superdome Aug 1-3 [6]
2004XXXXIV Flag of Japan.svg Takahiro Omori39-2Triton Lake Wylie, NCJul 31 - Aug 1
2005XXXXV Flag of the United States.svg Kevin VanDam 12-15NitroThree Rivers, PAJul 29-31
2006XXXXVI Flag of the United States.svg Luke Clausen 56-2TritonKissimmee Chain, FLFeb 24-26
2007XXXXVII Flag of the United States.svg Boyd Duckett48-10TritonLay Lake, ALFeb 23-25
2008XXXXVIII Flag of the United States.svg Alton Jones48-7SkeeterLake Hartwell, SCFeb 22-24
2009XIL Flag of the United States.svg Skeet Reese 54-13Champion Red River, LA Shreveport-Bossier City Feb 20-22 [10]
2010XL Flag of the United States.svg Kevin VanDam 51-6NitroLay Lake, AL Birmingham Feb 19-21 [10]
2011 XLI Flag of the United States.svg Kevin VanDam 69-11NitroLouisiana Delta, LA New Orleans Louisiana Superdome Feb 18-20 [6] [10]
2012XLII Flag of the United States.svg Chris Lane51-6LegendRed River, LAFeb 24-26
2013XLIII Flag of the United States.svg Cliff Pace 54-12SkeeterGrand Lake, OKFeb 22-24
2014XLIV Flag of the United States.svg Randy Howell67-8TritonLake Guntersville, ALFeb 21-23
2015XLV Flag of the United States.svg Casey Ashley 50-1TritonLake Hartwell, SCFeb 20-22
2016XVLI Flag of the United States.svg Edwin Evers 60-7NitroGrand Lake, OKMar 4-6 [11]
2017XLVII Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Lee 56-10LegendLake Conroe, TX Houston Minute Maid Park George R. Brown Convention Center Mar 24-26 [6] [12]
2018XLVIII Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Lee 47-1RangerLake Hartwell, SC Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena Green Pond Landing and Event Center (in Anderson, SC)TD Convention CenterMar 16-18 [13]
201949th Flag of the United States.svg Ott Defoe 49-3 [14] Nitro Tennessee River, TNMar 15-17
202050th Flag of the United States.svg Hank Cherry 65-5BassCatLake Guntersville, ALMar 6-8
202151st Flag of the United States.svg Hank Cherry 50-15BassCat Lake Ray Roberts, TXJun 11-13
202252nd Flag of the United States.svg Jason Christie54-0XpressLake Hartwell, SC Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena Green Pond Landing and Event Center (in Anderson, SC)Greenville Convention CenterMar 4-6 [15]
202353rd Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jeff Gustafson42-7Lund Tennessee River, TN Knoxville Thompson–Boling Arena Volunteer Landing Knoxville Convention Center Mar 24-26 [16]
202454th Flag of the United States.svg Justin Hamner58-3FalconGrand Lake, OK Tulsa BOK Center Wolf Creek Park Cox Business Convention Center Mar 22-24 [17]
202555th Flag of the United States.svg Easton Fothergill76-15Skeeter Lake Ray Roberts, TX Fort Worth Dickies Arena Ray Roberts Lake State Park Du Bois Unit (in Pilot Point, TX) Fort Worth Convention Center Mar 21-23 [18] [19] [20]
202656thTBDTBDTBD Tennessee River, TN Knoxville Thompson–Boling Arena Volunteer Landing Knoxville Convention Center Mar 13-15 [21] [22]

Record Book

Note

  1. ↑ competitors were hosted at the Union Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
  2. ↑ the event was held at a "mystery lake", with competitors not knowing its location until being brought there
  3. ↑ lake was located in McCormick, South Carolina

References

  1. ↑ 2014 Bassmaster Classic results
  2. ↑ Multiple sources:
    • "Classic Moments: The First Classic". Bassmaster. May 2, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
    • "Flashback: 1971 Bassmaster Classic". Bassmaster. November 27, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  3. ↑ Multiple sources:
  4. ↑ Multiple sources:
  5. ↑ "1980 Bassmaster Classic". Bassmaster. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "History Making Venues". Bassmaster. 23 March 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ "1983 Bassmaster Classic - Results". Bassmaster. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Bean, Covey (August 23, 1987). "Bass Show Sinks Into Ohio River". The Oklahoman. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ Perlstein, Rick (July 26, 2021). "Chicago's Epic Fishing Competition Fail". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Three years of Bassmaster Classic locations". Bassmaster. February 21, 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Edwin Evers". Bassmaster. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  12. ↑ "Tournaments". Bassmaster. Archived from the original on 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  13. ↑ Multiple sources:
  14. ↑ "tournaments". Bassmaster. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  15. ↑ "2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk Expo". Bassmaster. August 15, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  16. ↑ Multiple sources:
  17. ↑ "Tulsa and Grand Lake O' the Cherokees set to host third Bassmaster Classic in 2024". Bassmaster. February 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Experience the Classic". Bassmaster. 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  19. ↑ "2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour". Bassmaster. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  20. ↑ "A look at 2025 Lake Ray Roberts Classic". Bassmaster. March 17, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo". Bassmaster. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  22. ↑ "The Bassmaster Classic Returns to Knoxville for 2026". VisitKnoxville.com. February 5, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
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