Bassmaster Elite Series

Transcription

Media
2016
Guide
2016 Bassmaster Tournament Trail
GEICO Bassmaster Classic
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic
presented by GoPro
March 4-6
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
Tulsa, Okla.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series
March 17-20
Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River presented by
Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels
Palatka, Fla.
April 7-10
Huk Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay
Georgetown, S.C.
April 21-24
Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork
Mountain Home, Ark.
Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at
April 28-May 1 Academy
Wheeler Lake presented by Magellan
Decatur, Ala.
May 12-15
A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend
Many, La.
June 8-12
GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest presented by
Choctaw Casino
Durant, Okla.
June 23-26
Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake
Union Springs, N.Y.
July 19-22
Bassmaster Elite Classic Bracket at Niagara River
Buffalo, N.Y.
Aug. 11-14
Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River
Charles County, Md.
Sept. 8-11
Plano Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River
La Crosse, Wis.
Sept. 15-18
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year
Championship
Mille Lacs, Minn.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series
Southern Division
Jan. 28-30
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Kissimmee, Fla.
March 31-April 2
Smith Lake
Jasper, Ala.
May 19-21
Douglas Lake
Dandridge, Tenn.
Arkansas River
Muskogee, Okla.
Central Division
June 2-4
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Red River
Shreveport/ Bossier City, La.
Oct. 27-29
Atchafalaya Basin
Morgan City, La.
Northern Division
June 30-July 2
Oneida Lake
Syracuse, N.Y.
Aug. 18-20
James River
Richmond, Va.
Sept. 21-23
Lake Champlain
Plattsburgh, N.Y
2016 B.A.S.S. Media Guide | 1
Table of Contents
2016 Bassmaster Tournament Trail______________________________________ 1
Quick Guide To B.A.S.S.________________________________________________ 3
On The Scene: How To Cover A B.A.S.S. Event__________________________ 4
The Reach____________________________________________________________ 6
B.A.S.S. Membership_________________________________________________ 10
B.A.S.S. Nation_______________________________________________________ 11
B.A.S.S. Conservation________________________________________________ 12
Catch And Release____________________________________________________ 13
The Bosses Of B.A.S.S._______________________________________________ 14
Costa Bassmaster High School Series_________________________________ 15
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presented By Bass Pro Shops_______ 16
Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship__________________ 17
GEICO Bassmaster Classic Presented By GoPro________________________ 18
Classic 2015: Hometown Favorite Casey Ashley Wins___________________ 20
Classic Records______________________________________________________ 22
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Contenders____________________________ 24
Road To The 2016 Classic_____________________________________________ 25
Bassmaster Elite Series: The Best In The Business______________________ 28
Aaron Martens Earns Third Angler Of The Year Title____________________ 30
The Toyota Bassmaster Angler Of The Year Race_______________________ 31
Angler Bonus And Contingency Programs_____________________________ 32
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament Trail_________________________ 34
BASSfest Moves To Lake Texoma For 2016_____________________________ 37
The All-New Bracket Showdown ______________________________________ 39
Toyota Bassmaster Angler Of The Year Championship__________________ 41
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers__________________________________ 42
Bassmaster Elite Series Offers Marshal Program_______________________ 78
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series_____________________________ 82
Appendix____________________________________________________________ 88
B.A.S.S. Tournament Records_________________________________________ 90
B.A.S.S. All-Time Tournament Results_________________________________ 93
Glossary Of Bass Fishing Terms______________________________________ 108
2 | 2016 B.A.S.S. Media Guidewww.bassmaster.com
Quick Guide To B.A.S.S.
»» B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing, is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.
»» B.A.S.S. was purchased in 2010 by three investors: Don Logan, Jim Copeland and Jerry
McKinnis. The trio acquired the company from ESPN, which bought B.A.S.S. in 2001.
»» B.A.S.S. is focused on issues that resonate at a grass-roots level. The company will continue to spearhead positive, progressive change on issues related to conservation and
resource management.
»» B.A.S.S. is a tournament and membership organization serving more than 500,000
members.
»» B.A.S.S. produces two industry-leading publications: Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S.
Times. Bassmaster Magazine has launched a new, interactive digital version, which is distributed via iTunes, Google Play and Bassmaster.com.
»» Bassmaster.com is the dedicated home for all things B.A.S.S. and bass fishing. The website recorded 235 million page views last year, with a monthly average of 700,000 unique
visitors. Video plays were up to 6.9 million in 2015.
»» B.A.S.S.’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/bass, reaches more than 630,000 fans.
B.A.S.S. also boasts more than 130,000 Twitter followers. B.A.S.S. has more than
100,000 followers on Instagram (@BASS_Nation), where fans post their own big bass
photos and watch dramatic videos from Bassmaster Elite Series events.
»» The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops
Bassmaster Opens Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series
presented by Bass Pro Shops, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship program, Costa Bassmaster High School Series and the ultimate celebration of competitive
fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
»» Bassmaster LIVE is a new audience favorite: live-stream coverage of exciting tournament
action that provides comprehensive coverage of the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series
events in real time. In 2015, the Classic and Elites have generated more than 23.3 million
minutes of videos viewed.
»» B.A.S.S. was founded by Ray Scott in 1968 and has flourished as the authority on bass
fishing for more than 48 years. The organization advances the sport through advocacy,
outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its media vehicles.
»» B.A.S.S. introduced the catch-and-release ethic to bass fishing in 1972, inspiring recreational anglers to return all or most of the bass they catch to the water, and setting the
standard for how fish care at tournaments is conducted.
»» Bassmaster Classics provide a significant economic impact for the cities and regions that
host them. For the past five years, the Classic has averaged more than 100,000 in attendance. Louisiana set the attendance record with 137,000 fans taking part in the 2009
Bassmaster Classic on the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier City. The 2013 Bassmaster
Classic in Tulsa, Okla., drew an impressive 106,850 fans.
»» B.A.S.S. and its events have been featured by the CBS Evening News, USA Weekend,
USA Today, Parade Magazine, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Harper’s Magazine
and Sports Business Journal, among others.
On The Scene: How To
Cover A B.A.S.S. Event
Working Media Credentials
To cover any B.A.S.S. event in an editorial
capacity, working media credentials are
required. To obtain credentials, members of
the working media on assignment from a
recognized organization can register at
www.bassmastermedia.com or call B.A.S.S.
Communications at 205-313-0944.
B.A.S.S. provides a mobile media center
at all Bassmaster Elite Series events for
working media who need to file reports
from the events. The center provides workspace, high-speed Internet capabilities and
other resources for on-site filing of stories
and photos.
News Services
B.A.S.S. distributes daily features and
standings via email to working media upon
the completion of each day’s event. Media can
find results and photos on the media website,
www.bassmastermedia.com, and on our consumer website, www.bassmaster.com.
Interviews
B.A.S.S. encourages and accommodates
interviews with anglers on site. Anglers are
generally available immediately after they leave
the stage at daily weigh-ins or before takeoff on
competition mornings. B.A.S.S. tournament
officials also are available for interviews. Please
arrange interviews through B.A.S.S.
Communications Manager Helen White at
205-313-0944 or [email protected].
Media Boats
B.A.S.S. offers media boats with drivers
for working media on competition days at
major tournaments in order to bring the
media as close to the action as possible.
Working media are able to capture on-thewater footage for broadcast or images for editorial use only. Working media can contact
the on-site B.A.S.S. representative to request
a boat, or call 205-313-0944 or 205-936-2044.
B.A.S.S. encourages working media to get
as close to the action as possible and is
committed to helping media get the stories
and images they need.
To cover a B.A.S.S.
event, all media
outlets are
required to obtain
working media
credentials.
Bassmaster Marshal Program
In 2009, B.A.S.S. introduced the
Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal program,
which allows B.A.S.S. members to pay a fee
to ride along and observe a day of competition with an Elite Series pro. When openings
are available, media members can participate
in the program but must furnish proof that
they are representing an accredited news
organization.
Media Guidelines
B.A.S.S. is committed to helping media
get the stories, photos and video footage they
need, but safety is a primary concern, as
well. Media are asked to follow these guidelines while covering Bassmaster events.
Upon arriving at a B.A.S.S. event, check
in with an on-site B.A.S.S. Communications
representative. The representative will provide media members with proper credentials
and will remain the point of contact for any
questions or needs during the event.
Display credentials clearly at all times. If
you lose your credentials, ask for a replacement.
Media must agree that recordings and
photographs obtained on site will be used for
editorial purposes only.
Access to the backstage area is limited.
Please stay behind barriers as anglers line
up to weigh their catches on stage. As the
situation allows, the on-site media representative may be available to escort photographers and reporters backstage for shots
and interviews. In the interest of fish
health, please do not ask the anglers to lift
fish from the aerated tanks for behind-stage
photos.
Special credentials are required for the
Bassmaster Classic. Apply online at
www.bassmastermedia.com.
Media Contacts
Helen White
B.A.S.S. Communications Manager
3500 Blue Lake Drive, Suite 330
Birmingham, AL 35243
205-313-0944, 205-936-2044
[email protected]
Dave Precht
VP/Communications & Editorial
3500 Blue Lake Drive, Suite 330
205-313-0931, 860-839-3057
[email protected]
The
Reach:
The Power Behind B.A.S.S. Is Its Fully Integrated
Multimedia Platform
The Bassmasters TV Show
The Bassmasters chronicles the competition
at each Bassmaster Elite Series event with onthe-water coverage and analysis by renowned
hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The
one-hour program is one of the highest-rated
outdoors programs on television.
JM Associates, a B.A.S.S.-owned company, produces the television show. JM was
started by Jerry McKinnis, who hosted The
Fishin’ Hole on ESPN2 for 26 years and is
now one of the owners of B.A.S.S. The
Bassmasters airs on ESPN2 and ESPN
Classic. You can also view several years’
worth of episodes at Bassmaster.com/video.
In covering the Elite Series action, JM puts
as many as six videographers on the water at
one time, and they shoot approximately 70
hours of footage to produce the one-hour
telecast. In addition, aerial drones and sometimes helicopters are employed at top-level
events to get aerial shots during the morning
launch and throughout the tournament day.
Production of each episode of The Bassmasters
requires the work of almost 30 broadcast staff
members in the field and in the studio.
The Bassmasters serves fishing fanatics with
the most comprehensive information about
how Elite Series pros tackle a body of water.
With Zona and Sanders at the helm, the
show provides in-depth analysis on lure
choice, fish management, the mental
approach to fishing and countless other variables that affect the competition.
Zona, often a source of comic relief, is no
stranger to B.A.S.S. tournaments, having
posted a career-best, third-place finish at a
2005 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern
Open event on Lake Champlain. Sanders,
who is an inductee of the Arkansas Outdoor
Hall of Fame, mixes entertainment and
information in superb fashion. The pair
is known for standing over a computergenerated map of the fishery and analyzing
the pros’ strategies.
The Bassmasters production has received
critical acclaim, including Pixie awards for
graphics and animation in 2013, a Telly
award in the sports category in 2012 and a
Sports Emmy nomination in 2008.
Both Sanders and Zona also host the popular spinoff show Winning Ways. Featured
on ESPN2, the hour-long program delves
into the secrets of Bassmaster tournament
champions.
Coming up on its 10th season, Winning
Ways focuses on the techniques and lures
used by winners of Bassmaster Elite Series
events and reveals how pros
picked apart and attacked a
fishery. The show has won
fans who appreciate the
action graphics, in-depth
interviews with pros and
how-to information that
any angler can apply to his
own fishing.
Videographers shoot more
than 70 hours of footage to
produce The Bassmasters
which airs on ESPN2 and
ESPN Classic.
PUBLICATIONS
Bassmaster Magazine
First published in
spring 1968, Bassmaster
has been the ultimate
authority on bass fishing
for more than 45 years. Its
mission has always been to
give B.A.S.S. members information on how to become
better bass anglers. The publication has received critical
acclaim, including three Folio
awards for editorial and design in
the Consumer Sports category
(more than 500,000 subscribers)
as well as numerous other honors. Bassmaster has more than 4.3
million readers per issue.
Regular features include reader favorite
“Day on the Lake,” which chronicles top
B.A.S.S. pros and experts visiting unfamiliar
bodies of water and trying to unlock the fisheries’ secrets in a seven-hour day. The magazine’s annual “100 Best Bass Lakes” feature
has become incredibly popular for not only
readers, but also the communities that are
lucky enough to have a ranked fishery nearby.
Regular departments include the “Lunker
Club,” featuring B.A.S.S. members with trophy catches, and “10-Minute Angler,” outlining quick and easy do-it-yourself projects.
Editor James Hall, a Texas native, has more
than 17 years’ experience as a magazine editor,
including 12 years at the helm of Bassmaster.
Bassmaster Magazine has been the authority
on bass fishing for more than 45 years.
B.A.S.S. Times
First published in 1972, B.A.S.S. Times
offers news and information written and
edited for serious bass anglers.
Each monthly issue contains a mixture of indepth, how-to articles aimed at advanced bass
anglers, along with news about conservation
issues and in-depth topics of interest to avid
fishermen, including insightful coverage of the
Bassmaster Elite Series and other professional
trails. Best described as a “news tabloid,” the
publication boasts a circulation of more than
100,000 and is distributed to all
Lifetime B.A.S.S. members, B.A.S.S. Team
members and members
of the B.A.S.S. Nation.
B.A.S.S. Times Editor
Bryan Brasher has been
an outdoor writer for
more than two decades.
B.A.S.S. Times — a news
tabloid publication —
features in-depth articles
focused toward
advanced anglers.
The Reach
DIGITAL MEDIA
BassmasterMedia.com
B.A.S.S.’s media resource,
BassmasterMedia.com, lets media navigate
through archived news releases and images
from current and past Bassmaster events.
The site offers more than 18,000 images
from about 40 years of competition. During
B.A.S.S. events, the site is updated daily
with results, stories and relevant images.
Bassmaster.com
Bassmaster.com is the ultimate go-to
destination for all things bass fishing.
Whether you want the latest how-to information, tips for beginners, up-to-date tournament news, information on state or world
records or you just want to play Fantasy
Fishing, Bassmaster.com is the place to be.
With the world’s most extensive archive of
how-to bass fishing information, including
stories, audio and video, bassmaster.com is
the leader in fishing education. If you don’t
see what you’re looking for on the main page,
just click through to our search engine to find
exactly what you need to take your bass fishing to the next level.
Bassmaster.com is your connection to the
B.A.S.S. Nation, our conservation and youth
programs, the B.A.S.S. Nation divisionals and
the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. B.A.S.S.
makes a difference in the outdoors, and
8 | 2016 B.A.S.S. Media Guide
B.A.S.S. connects to the bass fishing
community through multiple social media
outlets including Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.
through the Web pages you can learn what’s
happening and find opportunities to join in.
If you want to learn more about a professional fisherman, check out the information
and statistics available under the Anglers
tab. From Bill Dance and Roland Martin to
Kevin VanDam and the latest phenoms,
everyone who’s ever fished a B.A.S.S. professional-level event is there, along with each
angler’s career winnings and rankings in
every tournament. You can also find
archived results from every professional
tournament in B.A.S.S. history, from the
first All-American to the latest Open.
Through bassmaster.com, fans and media
can follow the points races at every rung of
the tournament trail, including the Toyota
Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings from
Elite Series competitions, as well as all three
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens divisions.
Tournament Coverage
Bassmaster.com is your official source and
record for all of our competitions, including
the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by
GoPro, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro
Shops Bassmaster Opens, Carhartt
Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass
Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School,
www.bassmaster.com
B.A.S.S. Nation divisionals and championship and the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster
Team Championship. You’ll not only find
stories, standings, photo galleries and blogs
covering these events, but you can watch the
weigh-ins live and see on-the-water and
behind-the-scenes video, too.
During the Bassmaster Classic and Elite
Series events, fans get special treats: live
footage from the water as well as updates
from insiders; BASSTrakk, an on-thewater feature that tracks how much weight
an angler has as well as where and when he
caught the fish; and the Live Blog, realtime reports by on-the-water journalists.
Bassmaster LIVE
Bassmaster LIVE is a new audiencefavorite: live-stream coverage of exciting
tournament action. No other tournament
series provides comprehensive coverage in real
time. In 2016, Bassmaster LIVE will cover
the Bassmaster Classic, broadcasting from the
B.A.S.S. booth at the Classic Outdoors Expo
for all three days of competition. For the Elite
Series, the JM studios will be the home base
for Bassmaster LIVE coverage. To date, the
Classic and Elites have generated more than
23.3 million minutes of videos viewed.
Fantasy Fishing
Test your prognostication skills and
knowledge of professional fishing by playing
Fantasy Fishing at bassmaster.com/fantasy.
It’s fantasy gaming for bass fans — and it’s
free to play. Set up your own team — or an
entire league — then test your skills against
other players by picking the best five-angler
team for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic and
each of the Bassmaster Elite Series events.
Finish at the top among all players, and
you’ll win a boat and motor package. The
winner of each individual tournament gets a
$2,500 Bass Pro Shops gift card. The runner-up for each event wins a GoPro.
Facebook
B.A.S.S. has an active and engaged bass
fishing community at www.facebook.com/
bass with nearly 640,000 fans. B.A.S.S. also
has a page dedicated to the college bass fishing community, www.facebook.com/
collegebass, and to high school bass fishing
teams across the country, www.facebook.
com/basshighschool.
Twitter
B.A.S.S. is especially active on Twitter,
with three official accounts.
The primary account, @BASS_Nation, is
a large community — nearly 140,000-strong
— of anglers who love sharing their big bass
catches, asking each other for tips and
advice and communicating with B.A.S.S.
officials directly. This account hosts Twitter
chats with tournament winners and highprofile pro anglers using the hashtag #basschat, giving fans an opportunity to connect
with top pros.
B.A.S.S.’s secondary account is
@BASSHowTo, with more than 27,000 followers and a Twitter feed that’s specifically
for anglers who want advice on improving
their catch rates or finding lunkers.
The third account, @BASSTrakk, keeps
fans up to date with a live feed of
BASSTrakk stats during tournaments. With
this Twitter feed, fans can see up-to-theminute details on what the pros are catching
during Elite Series events.
The official hashtags of B.A.S.S. are
#basselite, #bassmaster, #bassmasterclassic,
#collegebass, #bassnation and #bassopen.
Instagram
B.A.S.S. has more than 100,000 followers
on Instagram (@BASS_Nation), where fans
post their own big bass photos and watch
dramatic videos from Bassmaster Elite
Series events.
Other Social Media
B.A.S.S. also has active accounts on
Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/bassnation),
Periscope (@BASS_Nation), Snapchat
(bass_nation), YouTube (www.youtube.com/
BASSNationTV), Google+ (www.gplus.to/
bassfishing) and Vine (@bass_nation).
B.A.S.S. Membership
With more than 500,000 members, B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing.
B.A.S.S. members comprise a network of bass anglers who are fishing enthusiasts and stewards of conservation interested in learning how to catch more fish. Anglers can be Life
Members of B.A.S.S., members of the B.A.S.S. Nation or members on an annual, two-year
or five-year basis.
B.A.S.S. membership’s most sought-after benefit is Bassmaster Magazine, the leading bass
fishing publication with 4.3 million readers per issue. Membership includes nine annual
issues, each packed with how-to information, features on fishing tactics and more. Articles
include tackle selection and how to use it, how to locate bass and establish patterns, the
effects of weather, the hottest new lures, structure fishing, the best bass lakes and rivers, and
boats and accessories.
Along with Bassmaster, members receive automatic eligibility for B.A.S.S. tournaments,
the Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal program, free gear giveaways, a membership card and a
number of other exclusive perks.
For avid fans, B.A.S.S. offers B.A.S.S. Times, the perfect complement to Bassmaster
Magazine. Packed with bass fishing news, tips and updates on conservation efforts, B.A.S.S.
Times is published monthly and goes beyond the basics for in-depth fishing news and information. Life Members and B.A.S.S. Nation members receive B.A.S.S. Times as part of their
membership.
Working media can obtain a complimentary B.A.S.S. membership by calling B.A.S.S.
Communications at 205-313-0944.
B.A.S.S. Membership: Top 10 States
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. California
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
6. Illinois
7. Tennessee
8. North Carolina
9. Missouri
10. Ohio
Source: AAM Statement, June 2015
Note: B.A.S.S. members also represent 38 countries
B.A.S.S. Nation
The B.A.S.S. Nation is a
network of locally organized
clubs whose members participate in and support a range of
activities, including tournaments, conservation initiatives
and youth programs. They are
organized in 47 U.S. states
and 10 countries (Australia,
Canada, Italy, Japan, Mexico,
Namibia, Portugal, South
Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe).
The B.A.S.S. Nation has
played a large role in B.A.S.S.
history since B.A.S.S. chapters were formed in 1968 to
combat water pollution at the
local level. In 1972, these
individual chapters were organized into state federations,
now known as Nations.
B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott
called B.A.S.S. Nation members the “minutemen” of the
organization. Through the
years, he called on members
to support causes ranging
from legislation to a famous
1970 lawsuit against 250
companies that B.A.S.S.
alleged were polluting water
in violation of the Federal
Refuse Acts of 1899.
Each Nation has a group of
officers, including a president,
conservation director and
youth director, who work
closely with the B.A.S.S.
Nation staff to promote
B.A.S.S. initiatives at the
local, state and division levels.
Past efforts have included the
grass-roots “Don’t Kill Your
Catch” initiative — the forerunner to the modern catchand-release ethic — coordinating and supporting High
School and Junior Bassmaster
clubs, conducting educational
events such as CastingKids
exhibitions and organizing
local tournaments.
The B.A.S.S. Nation will
also send three amateur
anglers to the Bassmaster
Classic each year, beginning
with the 2017 GEICO
Bassmaster Classic presented
by GoPro. By participating in
local and state events, anglers
can qualify for a 20-member
state team, which represents
its state Nation at one of
three annual B.A.S.S. Nation
Regional tournaments.
Each Nation’s top-finishing boater and co-angler at
the regional qualifies the
B.A.S.S. Nation
Championship. The Top 3
anglers at the championship
advance to the Classic.
In November 2015,
Albert Collins of Texas
bested the competition on
Louisiana’s Ouachita River
and qualified for the 2016
presented by GoPro.
Collins and the top angler
from each of the five divisions
received automatic qualification into the 2016 Bass Pro
Shops Bassmaster Central,
Northern and/or Southern
Opens. One of the division
winners earns an invitation to
compete in the prestigious
Bassmaster Elite Series,
which Fabian Rodriguez of
the Delaware B.A.S.S.
Nation has accepted for 2016.
In 1994, Connecticut
short-order cook Bryan
Kerchal became the first
B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier to
win the Bassmaster Classic.
Kerchal was killed in a plane
crash just five months after
his victory and never had the
chance to defend his title, but
his legacy lives on. To date,
Kerchal is the only B.A.S.S.
Nation qualifier to hoist the
Bassmaster Classic trophy.
Paul Mueller, current
Bassmaster Elite Series pro,
earned the runner-up spot in
the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster
Classic presented by GoPro
when he was a B.A.S.S.
Nation representative.
Several top pros originated from the B.A.S.S.
Nation, including Mike
Iaconelli, Brandon Palaniuk
and Davy Hite.
Jon Stewart leads the
B.A.S.S. Nation program as
the national director.
Underneath the B.A.S.S.
Nation umbrella is the
Carhartt Bassmaster College
Series and the B.A.S.S.
Nation High School program, both managed by
Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S.
Nation youth director.
Emily Hand serves as coordinator of all B.A.S.S.
Nation programs.
Learn more about the
B.A.S.S. Nation at
Bassmaster.com/Nation, or
contact Jon Stewart at
jstewart@
bassmaster.com.
B.A.S.S.
Conservation
Protecting Fisheries And Angler Access
From the founding of B.A.S.S. in 1968, conservation has
been a cornerstone of the organization’s mission. Early campaigns against water pollution were credited with helping
clean up America’s waterways, and the launch of the “Don’t
Kill Your Catch” program in 1972 led to widespread adoption of the catch-and-release ethic among bass anglers.
Today, B.A.S.S. Conservation’s mission is to preserve and
enhance aquatic resources and the sport of bass fishing, advocating at the local, state and national level for sustainable
water policy and sound fisheries management, working to
preserve and enhance fish habitat, preventing and controlling
invasive species, ensuring fishing access and promoting the
highest ethics in angling and tournament fish-care practices. B.A.S.S. National Conservation
Director Gene Gilliland
Gene Gilliland, a widely respected bass biologist and
conservation advocate from Oklahoma, serves as B.A.S.S.
national conservation director. Gilliland is the former assistant chief of the fisheries division
of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“Everyone, from the novice angler to the dedicated B.A.S.S. member to the professional at
the Bassmaster Elite Series level, has a stake — an obligation — to protect our aquatic
resources,” Gilliland said. “Our challenge is to educate them, and then motivate them to take
action that will make a difference.”
As national conservation director, Gilliland represents America’s bass anglers on national
boards and councils involved
in resource conservation. In
About B.A.S.S. Conservation
addition, he oversees the
B.A.S.S. Conservation is the driving force behind
efforts of the 47 B.A.S.S.
progressive,
positive change on issues related to
Nation conservation directors
fisheries management, angling and boating
and works to make conservaaccess, fish habitat enhancement, invasive species
tion principles relevant to
control and tournament ethics.
every B.A.S.S. member.
Conservation directors in each B.A.S.S. Nation
Gilliland is also involved in
chapter work closely with state fisheries agencies
securing and awarding grants
and with state legislators to protect aquatic
for state B.A.S.S. Nation
resources and sportfishing at the state and local
chapters for conservation
level.
projects.
In conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic in
He is also responsible for
even-numbered years, B.A.S.S. Conservation
maintaining and improving
hosts a Conservation Summit, during which state
fish-care practices on each of
and national fisheries leaders meet with B.A.S.S.
the Bassmaster tournament
Nation state conservation directors to discuss
circuits. Gilliland has assisted
issues and programs that benefit sportfishing.
in fish care at the Bassmaster
In addition to serving on national councils and
Classic every year since 1994,
advisory
boards, B.A.S.S. National Conservation
and he is a co-author, along
Director Gene Gilliland represents bass anglers as
with Hal Schramm, of
a respected spokesman and authority on conserKeeping Bass Alive: A
vation and fisheries management issues.
Guidebook for Tournament
Anglers & Organizers.
Catch And Release
B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott introduced the catch-and-release concept to tournament bass fishing in 1972. Through the examples of tournament anglers and the promotion of catch and release
in Bassmaster Magazine, this conservation ethic has
caught on worldwide. Today, the vast majority of
anglers release all or most of the bass they catch.
With the release of the highly regarded publication Keeping Bass Alive, B.A.S.S. took the issue of
bass survival to the next level in hopes of helping
anglers and other tournament organizers achieve
maximum survival of fish. The book discusses the
least stressful ways to handle bass. Livewell management is described in great detail, including state-ofthe-art techniques for aeration, temperature control
and water quality maintenance. Weigh-in procedures
and release strategies are also featured.
You can read the text of Keeping Bass Alive at
Bassmaster.com/tips/Keeping-Bass-Alive.
Trailer-mounted hauling tanks called live release
boats are used to return bass to the fisheries
following tournament weigh-ins.
The Bosses Of B.A.S.S.
Running a business that sets the standard
for an entire industry requires expertise in
many fields. This statement is even more
true in reference to presiding over B.A.S.S.,
an organization that hosts the highest profile
tournaments in the world, from the high
school level to the GEICO Bassmaster
Classic presented by GoPro; develops
cutting-edge content for magazine, television
and online properties; focuses on the conservation and stewardship of the nation’s fishing resources; and fosters the B.A.S.S.
Nation, a worldwide network of affiliated
bass clubs.
In 2010, a dream team was formed to take
over this incredible responsibility: Don
Logan, Jerry McKinnis and Jim Copeland.
The trio bought the company from ESPN,
which had owned B.A.S.S. since 2001.
Why did the fishing industry call these
three men a “dream team?” Logan retired
from Time Inc. as its president and CEO. If
ever there was a person who understood the
magazine business, it is Logan. He was also
the chairman of AOL Time Warner’s media
and communications group, so his experience with online properties was broad and
deep, as well.
McKinnis was the host of the longestrunning outdoor show on ESPN, The Fishin’
Hole, and founded JM Associates, which
sets the standard for producing outdoor television shows, including The
Bassmasters. McKinnis has
received many accolades for his
efforts to promote the sport of bass
fishing. His 2014 induction into the
International Game Fish
Association Hall of Fame is the
most recent.
Copeland was global CEO of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Limited, senior fellow for corporate governance with the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce and on the
board of directors for several
Fortune 500 companies, including
McKinnis
Coca-Cola Enterprises and
ConocoPhillips.
Since the three acquired
B.A.S.S. in 2010 and signed Bruce
Akin, a veteran publishing executive, as CEO, the company has
seen tremendous growth in every
area of the business. For example,
attendance at Bassmaster Elite
Series events has more than doubled, the number of unique visitors
to the Bassmaster.com website has
increased by 166 percent and
Bassmaster Magazine’s audience
has grown to 4.3 million readers.
Don Logan
Jerry
Jim Copeland
Bruce Akin
Bassmaster High School
Series
The B.A.S.S. High School initiative
is currently the fastest-growing
program within B.A.S.S.
It debuted in 2013, and in its short
existence, it has already attracted more
than 3,100 student athletes representing 372 schools in 45 states.
Participation is expected to grow at a
rapid rate throughout 2016. As in
2015, three High School Opens will
take place this year, and students who
are members of a high school team trail
The Bassmaster
can affiliate with B.A.S.S.
Top competitors from state champi- High School program is the fastonships, from the Opens and from
est-growing initiateam trails qualify for the Costa
tive within
B.A.S.S. with
Bassmaster High School National
more than 3,100
Championship, which will be held in
student athetes
summer 2016.
participating.
An exhibition tournament is held
each year at the Bassmaster Classic.
Ten teams, made up of top competitors from the Opens, the
championship and the host state, will compete on a body of
water near Tulsa, Okla., and will weigh in on stage at the
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. Top
finishers in 2016 events will qualify for the High School
Classic event in 2017.
Students also get a chance to learn at the High School Elite Experiences, which will be
held at various 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series events. At these events, Elite Series pros will
share their expertise in seminars and behind-the-scenes interaction with high school anglers.
Another great addition to the B.A.S.S. High School program is the opportunity to be part
of the Bassmaster High School All-American team. The team made its debut in 2015, with
up to two students per state qualifying for the All-State team. From there, 12 students from
across the country will be selected to the exclusive All-American team. Members of the AllAmerican team will be invited to compete in an exhibition tournament alongside Bassmaster
Elite Series pros at BASSfest, June 8-12, in Durant, Okla.
To learn more about B.A.S.S. High School, visit Bassmaster.com/high-school or contact
Hank Weldon, director of the program, at [email protected].
2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Series Schedule
High School Classic Exhibition
March 5
Lake Hudson, Tulsa, Okla.
Central Open
March 12
Toledo Bend, Many, La.
Southern Open
April 16
Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Ala.
Midwestern Open
June 5
Clinton Lake, Forsyth/Clinton, Ill.
Carhartt Bassmaster
College Series
B.A.S.S. has the most prestigious collegiate-level bass fishing tour in the world,
with 1,162 student anglers representing 125
colleges and universities in 28 states in 2015.
In 2016, teams will vie for more than
$80,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded to
their school’s fishing program. One college
will win the ultimate prize: the opportunity to
send an angler to the 2017 GEICO
Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Trevor Lo of the University of Minnesota
earned a berth in the 2016 Bassmaster Classic
and will represent the college program March
4-6. His predecessor, Brett Preuett of the
University of Louisiana-Monroe, qualified for
the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series through the
Opens following his 2015 Classic appearance.
Jordan Lee of Auburn University holds the
record for the highest finish by a college angler
with his sixth-place finish in the 2014 Classic.
Lee and his brother, Matt, also a Classic qualifier from the college ranks, both earned a bid
to compete in the Elite Series on their first try.
The first step to earning a Classic qualification is to compete with a partner in a
three-day team tournament in the college’s
conference: Southern, Eastern, Midwestern,
Western or Central. With a full field of 50
teams in a divisional, 10 teams advance to
the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops National
Championship. For every 10 additional
teams entered, another spot in the national
championship is granted.
If a team competes in a conference event but
doesn’t qualify for the championship, the team
can compete in a wild card event, from which
the Top 10 teams advance to the championship.
The national championship is a three-day
event, in which the full field of teams competes the first two days. That number is
reduced to the Top 5 teams for the final day.
The winning team earns the national championship trophy. The Top 4 teams in the championship advance to the 2016 Carhartt
Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket, in
which anglers compete as individuals in a
bracket-style format. The winner earns a
berth in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.
In addition, a Carhartt Bassmaster College
Series College Classic Exhibition tournament
is held once a year at the Bassmaster Classic.
The competitors are made up of anglers from
colleges in the host state, plus the winning
team from the previous year.
To learn more about the Carhartt
Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass
Pro Shops, visit Bassmaster.com/College and
follow www.facebook.com/collegebass. If you
have additional questions, contact Hank
Weldon, director of the program, at
[email protected].
2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops Schedule
Southern Regional
Feb. 4-6
Lake Martin, Alexander City, Ala.
Central Regional
Feb. 25-27
Atchafalaya Basin, Houma, La.
College Classic Exhibition
March 6
Lake Hudson, Tulsa, Okla.
Western Regional
April 2-4
Lake Mead, Henderson, Nev.
Eastern Regional
May 19-21
James River, Richmond, Va.
Midwestern Regional
June 2-4
Clinton Lake, Forsyth/Clinton, Ill.
www.bassmaster.com
Team Up For A Classic
Berth
Team tournaments are the lifeblood of competitive bass fishing.
Most high-level professional anglers
got their start in weekend team
events — and somewhere out there
right now, the great pros of tomorrow
are teaming up with friends or family
members to battle for dollars on their
home lakes.
We don’t know their names now,
but someday we will.
The team concept is a simple one:
Two buddies fish out of the same boat
for bass that will all go in the same
livewell. They put together a common
limit of fish, and the team with the
heaviest total weight wins. Even those
who don’t win get to experience the
thrill of competition and enjoy a day
on the lake with a friend.
In 2014, B.A.S.S. created an avenue for avid team anglers to earn one
of fishing’s biggest prizes: a berth in The Bassmaster Team Trail program culminates in an
end-of-the-year Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster
the GEICO Bassmaster Classic
Team Championship, where one angler earns a berth
presented by GoPro.
into the Bassmaser Classic.
Organized team tournament trails
from around the country can register
with B.A.S.S. before the season. Then when their season is done, they can send their top finishers to compete in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship — a two-stage,
four-day tournament that ends with one angler earning a berth to the Bassmaster Classic.
The program was met with great enthusiasm that first year, as 38 trails from around the
country signed up. The number grew to 51 trails in 2015, and the second annual Toyota
Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Guntersville drew a gigantic field of
394 anglers in 197 boats.
Michigan anglers Chris Risner and Tim Eaton, representing the D&R Sports Center
Tournament Trail, claimed the national team title during the first two days of fishing, earning a Nitro Z20 powered by a Mercury 225 ProXS outboard. Then the anglers from the top
three teams were separated to fish solo against one another in the Bassmaster Classic fishoff.
During the fish-off, Texas angler Thomas Martens caught 28 pounds, 14 ounces of bass,
besting five other anglers and earning a berth in the 2016 Classic.
Considering its early popularity, B.A.S.S. officials expect continued growth for the Team
Championship, as the event gives grass-roots anglers a chance to chase their dreams.
For more information on the Bassmaster Team Trail, contact Jon Stewart at 205-313-0900
or [email protected].
Presented By GoPro
The Biggest Event In Bass Fishing Returns To Tulsa
Inarguably the greatest annual bass tournament in existence, the GEICO Bassmaster
Classic presented by GoPro will be returning to Oklahoma’s famed Grand Lake O’ the
Cherokees in 2016. In an effort to accommodate anglers’ and sponsors’ busy preseason
schedules and other industry events, and to avoid February’s cold weather, this time the
Classic will be conducted March 4-6 out of Tulsa, Okla.
The angler who outfishes the rest of the 55-angler field will take home the coveted trophy
and $300,000 of a purse worth more than $1 million.
The Classic was previously held on Grand Lake in February 2013, when Cliff Pace claimed
a wire-to-wire victory with a three-day total weight of 54-12. While Pace didn’t qualify for the
2016 world championship, 2015 Classic winner Casey Ashley will be back to defend his title
after winning on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell in February 2015. Anglers will likely need
50 pounds or more across the three days of competition to remain in contention.
ESPN2 will air 12 hours of exciting coverage of the Classic in the weeks to follow; however, live coverage, including blogs, photo galleries, articles and Classic Live streaming video
will be available on Bassmaster.com throughout the event. Spectators attending the tournament will be able to attend daily weigh-ins in the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. But
they’ll need to arrive early — in 2013, the arena’s doors were closed on each of the final two
days when the facility reached capacity.
Since its inception in 1971, the Classic has become far and away the most prestigious fishing event in the world, earning it the nickname, “the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.” It draws
major media coverage from around the globe. Attendance in 2015 eclipsed the 100,000
mark, and it’s expected to do so again this year across the various venues, including the
GEICO Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods in Tulsa’s
Cox Business Center.
Nestled in northeastern Oklahoma and along the foothills of the Ozark Mountains,
Grand Lake ranks 13th on Bassmaster Magazine’s list of 100 Best Bass Lakes of 2015. The
Pensacola Dam was completed in 1940 and is managed by the Grand River Dam Authority.
It covers 46,500 acres, creating 1,300 miles of shoreline and a superb yet challenging fishery.
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented By GoPro Purse
1st
$300,000
10th
$20,000
19th
$12,700
2nd
$45,000
11th
$15,000
20th
$12,600
3rd
$40,000
12th
$14,500
21st
$12,400
4th
$30,000
13th
$14,250
22nd
$12,300
5th
$25,000
14th
$14,000
23rd
$12,200
6th
$22,000
15th
$ 13,750
24th
$12,100
7th
$21,500
16th
$13,000
25th
$12,000
8th
$21,000
17th
$12,900
26th-55th
$10,000
9th
$20,500
18th
$12,800
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro
Competition Days: March 4-6, 2016
Fishery: Grand Lake O’ the
Cherokees
Location: Tulsa, Okla.
Previous Bassmaster Events: 16
Previous Classics: 1 (2013)
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Cliff
Pace; Petal, Miss.; Bassmaster
Classic; Feb. 22-24, 2013; 54 pounds,
12 ounces
Takeoff:
Hard Rock Dock at Wolf Creek Park
963 N. 16th St.
Grove, OK 74344
Boats take off daily at 7 a.m. CT
Weigh-in:
BOK Center
200 South Denver Ave. W.
Tulsa, OK 74103
GEICO Bassmaster Classic Outdoors
Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting
Goods:
Cox Business Center
100 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103
Classic 2015:
Hometown Favorite Casey
Ashley Wins
Last year, Casey Ashley, an Elite Series
pro from Donalds, S.C., brought in 50
pounds, 1 ounce of bass to win the 2015
GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by
GoPro on Lake Hartwell. Holding the trophy on the stage in Greenville, Ashley
joined Randy Howell and Boyd Duckett as
the only anglers in the 45-year history of the
Classic to win in their home state.
His final-round catch of 20 pounds,
3 ounces gave the 31-year-old pro — a heavy
favorite to win — a chance to jump from fifth
place into first. Ashley said his knowledge of
the lake and understanding of how the fish
would react to the extremely cold temperatures experienced that week gave him an
advantage. However, his win wasn’t a piece of
cake. Elite Series pro Bobby Lane of Florida
gave Ashley close competition, finishing second with 46-15. Takahiro Omori of Texas
wasn’t far behind in third place with 44-3.
The anglers weren’t sure what to make of
the conditions on the first morning of the
Classic, when the air temperature dipped to
9 degrees. Boats were frozen to trailers, fishing areas were covered with ice and rods had
to be dipped in the water on each cast just to
melt the ice that formed on the line guides.
Despite the frigid conditions, deep
patterns didn’t dominate; most pros tried a
mixture of shallow and deep presentations.
Ashley said Hartwell was “one strange animal” because of the blueback herring forage
base. The key, he said, was to fish where the
schools of herring were roaming.
The hometown boy knew what he was
talking about, and he captured the Classic
trophy to prove it. Using a 3/8-ounce underspin lure made by his father and tipped with
a Zoom Super Fluke Jr. trailer in pearl
white, he caught his fish between 2 and
44 feet deep. On the final day, Ashley abandoned the boat dock bass he was trying to
force into biting and spent the day on a flat
near the Green Pond Landing launch site.
The overcast weather proved perfect for his
location and presentation, and Ashley caught
the 20-3 limit he needed to seal his victory.
This was Ashley’s sixth appearance at the
Classic. He has three other first-place finishes:
Elite Series events on Lake Jordan, Alabama
(2011); Lake Murray, South Carolina (2011);
and Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia (2007). He
has finished in the money in 69 tournaments
out of the 111 he’s competed in at B.A.S.S. and
earned more than $1 million. But this Classic
win meant more than prize winnings — it
meant hometown pride to last a lifetime.
Bassmaster Classic Champions
2015
Casey Ashley
Lake Hartwell, Greenville, S.C.
50-01
2014
Randy Howell
Lake Guntersville, Birmingham, Ala.
67-08
2013
Cliff Pace
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Tulsa, Okla.
54-12
2012
Chris Lane
Red River, Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
51-06
2011
Kevin VanDam
Louisiana Delta, New Orleans, La.
69-11
2010
Kevin VanDam
Lay Lake, Birmingham, Ala.
51-06
2009
Skeet Reese
Red River, Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
54-13
2008
Alton Jones
Lake Hartwell, Greenville, S.C.
49-07
2007
Boyd Duckett
48-10
2006
Luke Clausen
Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, Fla.
56-02
2005
Kevin VanDam
Three Rivers, Pittsburgh, Pa.
12-15
2004
Takahiro Omori
Lake Wylie, Charlotte, N.C.
39-02
2003
Michael Iaconelli
37-14
2002
Jay Yelas
45-13
2001
Kevin VanDam
32-05
2000
Woo Daves
Lake Michigan, Chicago, Ill.
27-13
1999
Davy Hite
55-10
1998
Denny Brauer
High Rock Lake, Greensboro, N.C.
46-03
1997
Dion Hibdon
Logan Martin Lake, Birmingham, Ala.
34-13
1996
George Cochran
31-14
1995
Mark Davis
47-14
1994
Bryan Kerchal
36-07
1993
David Fritts
48-06
1992
Robert Hamilton Jr.
59-06
1991
Ken Cook
Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Md.
33-02
1990
Rick Clunn
34-05
1989
Hank Parker
31-06
1988
Guido Hibdon
28-08
1987
George Cochran
Ohio River, Louisville, Ky.
15-05
1986
Charlie Reed
Tennessee River, Chattanooga, Tenn.
23-09
1985
Jack Chancellor
Arkansas River, Pine Bluff, Ark.
45-00
1984
Rick Clunn
Arkansas River, Pine Bluff, Ark.
75-09
1983
Larry Nixon
Ohio River, Cincinnati, Ohio
18-01
1982
Paul Elias
Alabama River, Montgomery, Ala.
32-08
1981
Stanley Mitchell
Alabama River, Montgomery, Ala.
35-02
1980
Bo Dowden
St. Lawrence River, Alexandria Bay, N.Y.
54-10
1979
Hank Parker
Lake Texoma, Pottsboro, Texas
31-00
1978
Bobby Murray
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Jackson, Miss.
37-09
1977
Rick Clunn
Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, Fla.
27-07
1976
Rick Clunn
Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Ala.
59-15
1975
Jack Hains
Currituck Sound, Nags Head, N.C.
45-04
1974
Tommy Martin
Wheeler Lake, Rogersville, Ala.
33-07
1973
Rayo Breckenridge
Clarks Hill Reservoir, McCormick, S.C.
52-08
1972
Don Butler
Percy Priest Reservoir, Nashville, Tenn.
38-11
1971
Bobby Murray
Lake Mead, Las Vegas, Nev.
43-11
Classic Records
Berths By Location
No.
305
191
143
149
132
122
99
75
68
67
64
56
55
45
41
40
39
25
24
23
18
12
11
9
8
7
5
4
3
2
1
State or Foreign
Country
Texas
Arkansas
Missouri
Alabama
Florida
Oklahoma
North Carolina
Tennessee
Georgia
California
Louisiana
Virginia
South Carolina
Mississippi
Michigan
Arizona
Kentucky
New Jersey
Indiana
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Kansas
Washington
Connecticut
Idaho
Illinois
New Mexico
New York
Japan
Minnesota
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Oregon
Zimbabwe
Iowa
Maryland
Utah
Colorado
Montana
South Dakota
West Virginia
Delaware
Nebraska
Rhode Island
South Africa
Wisconsin
Canada
Maine
Nevada
Vermont
Lightest Winning Catch
Weight
12-15
Angler
Kevin VanDam
Year
2005
15-5
George Cochran
1987
18-1
Larry Nixon
1983
23-9
Charlie Reed
1986
27-7
Rick Clunn
1977
27-13
Woo Daves
2000
31-0
Hank Parker
1979
31-6
Hank Parker
1989
31-14
George Cochran
1996
32-5
Kevin VanDam
2001
Heaviest Tournament Weight
Five-Bass Limit
Weight Angler
69-11
Kevin VanDam
Year
2011
67-8
Randy Howell
2014
66-8
Paul Mueller
2014
65-11
Edwin Evers
2014
63-6
Ott DeFoe
2014
62-12
Randall Tharp
2014
62-1
Jordan Lee
2014
61-1
Todd Faircloth
2014
60-7
David Kilgore
2014
60-3
Doug Thompson 2014
Most Wins
4
Rick Clunn
1976, 1977, 1984, 1990
Kevin VanDam
2001, 2005, 2010, 2011
2
George Cochran
1987, 1996
Bobby Murray
1971, 1978
Hank Parker
1979, 1989
Heaviest Daily Catch – Five-Bass Limit
Weight Angler
Venue
Year (Day)
32-3
Paul Mueller
Lake Guntersville, Ala.
2014 (2)
29-6
Luke Clausen Kissimmee Chain,
Fla.
29-2
Randy Howell Lake Guntersville, Ala. 2014 (3)
29-1
Preston Clark Kissimmee Chain, Fla.
2006 (1)
2006 (1)
28-13
Boyd Duckett Louisiana Delta, La.
2011 (3)
28-6
Terry Scroggins Kissimmee Chain, Fla.
2006 (2)
28-0
Kevin VanDam Louisiana Delta, La.
2011 (3)
27-8
Randall Tharp Lake Guntersville, Ala.
2014 (1)
26-13
Edwin Evers
2014 (1)
26-5
Derek Remitz Louisiana Delta, La.
Lake Guntersville, Ala.
2011 (3)
Largest Margin Of Victory
Margin
25-8
13-7
10-11
10-9
9-15
8-0
7-12
7-9
6-15
Year
1984
1972
2011
1980
1998
1999
1982
1993
1992
1990
Champion
Rick Clunn
Don Butler
Kevin VanDam
Bo Dowden
Denny Brauer
Davy Hite
Paul Elias
David Fritts
Robert Hamilton
Rick Clunn
Second Place
Venue
Second Place
Dalton Bobo
Jim Bitter
Randall Romig
Tommy Biffle
Woo Daves
Aaron Martens
Skeet Reese
Ricky Green
Michael Iaconelli
Danny Correia
Venue
Lake Logan Martin, Ala.
James River, Va.
Chesapeake Bay, Md.
High Rock Lake, N.C.
James River, Va.
Three Rivers, Pa.
Lay Lake, Ala.
Ohio River, Ohio
Red River, La.
Tennessee River, Tenn.
Greg South
Ricky Green
Aaron Martens
Roland Martin
George Cochran
Denny Brauer
Jack Chancellor
Shaw Grigsby
Denny Brauer
Tommy Biffle
Arkansas River, Ark.
Percy Priest Reservoir, Tenn.
Louisiana Delta, La.
St. Lawrence River, N.Y.
High Rock Lake, N.C.
Louisiana Delta, La.
Alabama River, Ala.
James River, Va.
Smallest Margin Of Victory
Margin
0-1
0-2
0-3
0-4
0-6
0-10
0-11
0-13
Year
1997
1989
1991
1994
1988
2005
2007
1983
2009
1986
Champion
Dion Hibdon
Hank Parker
Ken Cook
Bryan Kerchal
Guido Hibdon
Kevin VanDam
Boyd Duckett
Larry Nixon
Skeet Reese
Charlie Reed
Most Appearances
Heaviest Bass
No. Angler
Weight Angler
Venue
11-10
Preston
Clark
Kissimmee
Chain, Fla.
Year
(Day)
2006
(1)
10-10
Rick Clunn Kissimmee
Chain, Fla.
2006
(1)
9-12
Mark
Tucker
Kissimmee
Chain, Fla.
2006
(1)
9-5
Terry
Kissimmee
Scroggins Chain, Fla.
2006
(2)
9-3
Fred
Lake
2014
Roumbanis Guntersville, (1)
Ala.
32
30
25
21
19
17
16
15
Rick Clunn
Gary Klein
Roland Martin
Larry Nixon
Kevin VanDam
Denny Brauer
George Cochran
Tommy Biffle
Tommy Martin
Mark Davis
Woo Daves
Michael Iaconelli
Aaron Martens
Alton Jones
Paul Elias
Zell Rowland
Jay Yelas
Harold Allen
Shaw Grigsby
Jimmy Houston
Skeet Reese
Ron Shuffield
Gerald Swindle
Edwin Evers
8-15
Edwin
Evers
Kissimmee
Chain, Fla.
2006
(1)
Boyd
Duckett
Louisiana
Delta, La.
2011
(3)
Cumulative Weight For Career
Weight/Angler
784-5
550-14
Kevin VanDam
Aaron Martens
772-2
508-10
Rick Clunn
Tommy Biffle
609-8
498-10
Michael Iaconelli
Gary Klein
Most Consecutive
Appearances
No./Angler/Span
28
Rick Clunn
1974-2001
24
Kevin VanDam
1991-2014
18
Larry Nixon
1977-1994
17
Gary Klein
1984-2000
16
Jay Yelas
1991-2006
Michael Iaconelli
2002-2016
14
Ricky Green
1972-1985
Tommy Martin
1978-1991
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Presented By GoPro Qualifiers
Casey Ashley
Donalds, S.C.
Josh Bertrand
Gilbert, Ariz.
Gene Bishop
Brandon Card
Ridgeland, Miss. Caryville, Tenn.
Jason Christie
Park Hill, Okla.
John Crews
Salem, Va.
Mark Davis
Mount Ida, Ark.
Ott DeFoe
Knoxville,
Tenn.
Chris Dillow
Waynesboro,
Va.
Boyd Duckett
Brent Ehrler
Guntersville, Ala. Newport
Beach, Calif.
James Elam
Tulsa, Okla.
Edwin Evers
Talala, Okla.
Todd Faircloth
Jasper, Texas
Micah Frazier
Newnan, Ga.
Greg Hackney
Gonzales, La.
Matt Herren
Ashville, Ala.
Brett Hite
Phoenix, Ariz.
Randy Howell
Guntersville,
Ala.
Michael
Iaconelli
Pittsgrove, N.J.
Alton Jones
Lorena, Texas
Bobby Lane
Lakeland, Fla.
Chris Lane
Guntersville,
Ala.
Russ Lane
Prattville, Ala.
Jordan Lee
Guntersville,
Ala.
Brandon Lester
Fayetteville,
Tenn.
Trevor Lo
Woodbury,
Minn.
Bill Lowen
Brookville, Ind.
Justin Lucas
Guntersville,
Ala.
Aaron Martens
Leeds, Ala.
Thomas Martens Billy McCaghren
Lago Vista, Texas Mayflower, Ark.
Levi McNeill
West Valley,
Utah
Chad
Brandon
Morgenthaler
Palaniuk
Reeds Spring, Mo. Hayden, Idaho
Chad Pipkens
Holt, Mich.
Clifford Pirch
Payson, Ariz.
Jacob Powroznik John Proctor
Port Haywood,
Conway, S.C.
Va.
Skeet Reese
Auburn, Calif.
Marty
Robinson
Lyman, S.C.
Dean Rojas
Lake Havasu
City, Ariz.
Bernie Schultz
Gainesville, Fla.
Charles Sim
Ottawa, Canada
Greg Vance
Dubuque, Iowa
Kevin VanDam
Greg Vinson
Kalamazoo, Mich. Wetumpka, Ala.
Fabian
Rodriguez
Ocean City, Md.
David Walker
James Watson
Sevierville, Tenn. Nixa, Mo.
Albert Collins
Nacogdoches,
Texas
Keith Combs
Huntington,
Texas
Brandon
McMillan
Clewiston, Fla.
Whitney
Stephens
Waverly, Ohio
Chris Zaldain
San Jose, Calif.
Road To The 2016 Classic
2015 GEICO
1champion
Bassmaster Classic
6
B.A.S.S. Nation division
champions
1BASSfest
champion*
2015 Carhartt
1Series
Bassmaster College
national champion
2015 Bass Pro Shops
3Opens
Bassmaster Southern
champions**
2015 Bass Pro Shops
3Opens
Bassmaster Northern
champions**
2015 Bass Pro Shops
3Opens
Bassmaster Central
champions**
2015 Toyota
36
Bassmaster Angler of
the Year final standings***
Toyota Bonus
1Team
Bucks Bassmaster
Trail champion
*Each 2015 Opens champion must compete in all three tournaments within the division from which he or
she qualifies. If that angler hasn’t competed in all three tournaments, the Classic spot will work from the
2015 AOY standings.
**All double qualifiers work down the 2015 AOY standings, not to exceed 55 contestants in the 2016
Bassmaster Classic.
Bassmaster
Elite Series
The Best In The Business
On the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series, the best of the best in
professional bass fishing will compete in 11 tournaments that
each feature a $100,000 first-place prize and payouts of at
least $10,000 for the Top 50 finishers. When it comes to
making a name for yourself in the sport, there is no better
avenue than the Elite Series, which features ESPN2 television
coverage on The Bassmasters, live coverage on Bassmaster.com
and extensive coverage in long-running print entities
Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times.
Anglers can qualify for the Elite Series through several
different routes: the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, the
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and the GEICO Bassmaster
Classic presented by GoPro.
On the Opens circuit, an angler must finish in the Top 5
of the season standings for the Northern, Southern or
Central division to be invited to fish the Elite Series. The
winner of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship receives an
invite, as does the 2016 Bassmaster Classic champion.
Bassmaster Elite
Series Purse
1st
$100,000
2nd
$25,000
3rd
$20,000
4th
$15,000
5th
$14,000
6th
$13,500
7th
$13,000
8th
$12,500
9th
$12,000
10th
$11,500
11th
$11,000
12th
$10,500
13th-50th $10,000
*Payouts are contingent upon
a field of 108 competitors.
pro Brett Hite earned a
third-place finish in the
2015 Bassmaster BASSfest
on Kentucky Lake.
The 11th season of the Bassmaster
Elite Series begins March 17-20 with
111 of the finest professional anglers
in the world returning to Florida’s
St. Johns River for the first time since
2014. All eyes will be on Alabama
angler Chris Lane during that event, as
he tries to win an Elite Series season
opener for the third year in a row.
After the trip to Florida, the trail will
wind its way through South Carolina,
Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
New York, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Highlights will include BASSfest on
Oklahoma’s Lake Texoma, June 8-12,
where an automatic berth into the
Bassmaster Classic will be at stake,
and a stop in Mountain Home, Ark.,
April 21-24, where anglers will
alternate between two fisheries: Bull
Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake.
As the anglers travel the country,
they’ll be seeking valuable points in
the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the
Year race. Those points could lead to a
berth in the season-ending 2016 Toyota
Bassmaster Angler of the Year
Championship, scheduled for Sept. 15-18 on
Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake. At that
event, a total purse of $1 million will be
awarded, with the overall winner
earning a top prize of $100,000.
The top finishers in the AOY
standings will also earn berths into
the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic
presented by GoPro.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Invitations
2015 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points
70
2015 Top 5 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Opens points standings
5*
2015 Top 5 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens points standings
5*
2015 Top 5 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Opens points standings
5*
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier
1
2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic champion
1
*Includes only Opens pros who have not already qualified through the Elite Series
Field size and remaining qualifiers for 2016 season will be determined by B.A.S.S.
Aaron Martens Earns Third
Angler Of The Year Title
Aaron Martens, a California native
turned Alabama resident, knows how to
create drama.
In 2015, he came from behind on the
final day of the Bassmaster Elite Series
event on Arizona’s Lake Havasu to claim
his first victory in almost three years.
Martens knows how to take the drama
out of certain situations, too.
The win at Havasu was one of the
higher points of a dominant season that
included a long list of jaw-dropping
accomplishments for the now three-time
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. He
won again at Chesapeake Bay in August
and had the AOY title in the bag before he
ever arrived at the Toyota Bassmaster
Angler of the Year Championship in
Sturgeon Bay, Wis., in September.
It was a season-long performance that
must rank among the best in the history of
professional bass fishing.
With finishes of third, 66th, second,
first, 15th, 13th, first, sixth and 28th in
nine events, Martens was the first competi- Aaron Martens’ 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series
season ranks among the best in bass fishing,
tor in the Elite Series era to sew up the
earning him his third AOY title.
Angler of the Year title before the regular
season was done. He was the first to
accomplish the feat in any era since Tim Horton did it in 2000.
What was even more remarkable than his overall finish was the route he took to many of
the accomplishments along the way.
At Havasu in May, he ventured far up the Colorado River and fished in heavy shoreline
grass beneath the nests of blackbirds. He said baby birds fall from those nests, and big bass
wait underneath to feed on them. Some in the crowd scoffed, but he didn’t seem to care.
At Chesapeake Bay in August, Martens led the event from start to finish, despite struggling most days until about noon when the tidal flows got right. On the final day, he landed
a 7-pound largemouth around lunchtime that helped him seal the victory and will forever be
remembered as one of the most dramatic catches in B.A.S.S. history.
At Lake St. Clair later that month, Martens slept through his alarm clock and didn’t get
on the water until about 6:45 a.m. But once he was on the water, he quickly put together a
five-bass limit that weighed 19 pounds, 6 ounces, and he jumped from 11th place Saturday
to a sixth-place finish Sunday.
That feat gave him an insurmountable 102-point lead in the AOY standings over his closest competitor, Dean Rojas.
The Toyota Bassmaster
Angler Of The Year Race
In professional bass fishing, there are two titles every angler wants to add to his résumé.
One is Bassmaster Classic champion, and the other is Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Anglers who have claimed both will tell you the latter is by far the toughest to win.
While the Classic is one tournament — a three-day sprint that can be won by an angler on
a weeklong hot streak — the Angler of the Year race is a marathon that requires mental
toughness, maximum endurance and sometimes a little luck. Anglers are forced to drive
thousands of miles, stay countless nights in hotel rooms and fish in the types of weather that
recreational anglers tend to avoid.
To win the AOY title, anglers must consistently outfish 110 competitors over the course of
an 11-tournament schedule. Anglers accumulate performance points based on their finishes
in each Bassmaster Elite Series tournament. With a full field of 111 anglers, the winner gets
111 points, the runner-up earns 110 and so on down the line.
Anglers who specialize in one technique rarely claim the AOY title today as they often did
when tournament seasons were shorter and confined to one section of the country. With the
Elite Series visiting nine states and all types of fisheries, anglers must be versatile enough to
practice deep cranking one week and shallow flipping and pitching the next.
After 10 events this season, only the Top 50 anglers in the AOY standings will advance to
the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake.
At the conclusion of that event, the Angler of the Year will receive $100,000, while the rest
of the field shares the remainder of the $1 million purse.
The AOY points standings will also determine which anglers qualify for the 2017 GEICO
Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. Depending on how many anglers qualify through
other avenues, the Top 37 to 39 competitors in the AOY race usually earn berths in the
Super Bowl of bass fishing.
The points race begins March 17 in Palatka, Fla., as the Elite Series returns to the St.
Johns River.
Toyota Bassmaster Anglers of the Year
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
Aaron Martens
Greg Hackney
Aaron Martens
Brent Chapman
Kevin VanDam
Kevin VanDam
Kevin VanDam
Kevin VanDam
Skeet Reese
Michael Iaconelli
Aaron Martens
Gerald Swindle
Jay Yelas
Davy Hite
Mark Davis
Tim Horton
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
Kevin VanDam
Mark Davis
Davy Hite
Kevin VanDam
Mark Davis
David Fritts
Gary Klein
Kevin VanDam
Guido Hibdon
Guido Hibdon
Gary Klein
Rick Clunn
Denny Brauer
Jimmy Houston
Roland Martin
Roland Martin
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
Hank Parker
Larry Nixon
Roland Martin
Larry Nixon
Roland Martin
Roland Martin
Bill Dance
Jimmy Houston
Roland Martin
Bill Dance
Roland Martin
Roland Martin
Roland Martin
Bill Dance
Angler Bonus And
Contingency Programs
Standard payouts based on how well an angler finishes an event are not the only means by
which fishermen make money. Many B.A.S.S. sponsors sweeten the pot with award dollars that
are contingent on participation or use of a specific product during an event. Following are the
current contingency and bonus programs for B.A.S.S. events.
»» The GEICO Everyday Leader Award
presents $1,000 to the first-day leader of
the tournament and an additional $1,500
if the first-day leader has a GEICO decal
on his boat’s windshield. GEICO also
presents the Everyday Leader Award of
$1,000 to the second-day leader of the
tournament and an additional $1,500 if
the second-day leader has a GEICO
decal on his boat’s windshield.
»» The Big Bass Award of $2,500 will be
presented to the angler who weighs the
overall biggest bass of the event.
»» Toyota will award $1,000 to the Toyota
Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY)
points leader at the end of each tournament, including BASSfest.
»» Power-Pole Captain’s Cash will award
$1,000 at each Bassmaster Elite Series
event to the highest-finishing angler if
that angler is registered in the Captain’s
Cash program and uses a client-approved
product on his boat.
»» The Livingston Lures Leader Award of
$500 is awarded to the angler leading on
the second day.
»» Toyota Bonus Bucks presents $3,000 to
the highest-placing eligible entrant. The
second-highest-placing eligible entrant
receives $2,000.
»» The Dick Cepek Rolling Forward Award
of $1,000 will be presented to the angler
who makes the largest gain in AOY
points from tournament to tournament.
»» The Big Bass Award of $1,500 will be
presented to the angler who weighs the
overall biggest bass of the event.
»» The A.R.E. Top Angler Award of
$1,000 will be awarded to the highestplacing angler using A.R.E. products.
Bonus programs allow
sponsors to recognize
anglers on various
accomplishments.
»» The Power-Pole Captain’s Cash award of
$500 goes to the highest-finishing angler
if he or she is registered in the Captain’s
Cash program and has an approved
Power-Pole product on his or her boat.
$250 is presented to the pro angler in the
lead on Day 2. The co-angler leader on
Day 2 receives a Livingston Lures gift
pack valued at $250.
»» Toyota Bonus Bucks pays $1,500 to the
»» The A.R.E. Top Angler Award of $500
will be presented to the highest-placing
angler using A.R.E. products.
B.A.S.S. Nation
$250 will be presented to the second-day
leader.
»» At B.A.S.S. Nation Divisionals, Toyota
Bonus Bucks pays the highest-placing eligible entrant $750, and the second-highest-placing eligible entrant receives $250.
highest-placing eligible pro angler and
$1,000 to the second-highest-placing pro.
On the co-angler side, the top eligible
entrant receives $300, and the secondhighest-placing eligible co-angler gets $150.
»» At the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship,
sented to the angler who weighs the
overall biggest bass of the event in the
pro division, and $250 will be awarded to
the angler who weighs the overall biggest
bass in the co-angler division.
will be presented to the highest-placing
angler using A.R.E. products.
»» The Big Bass Award of $750 will be pre-
Anglers in each
tournament
series are given
the chance to
earn extra cash
by placing in a
contingency
category.
Toyota Bonus Bucks pays the highestplacing eligible entrant $5,000, and the
second-highest-placing eligible entrant
receives $2,500.
»» The A.R.E. Top Angler Award of $250
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series
»» The Livingston Lures Leader Award of a
$250 gift card will be presented to both
team members from the leading team on
Day 2.
Bassmaster Team Championship
»» The Livingston Lures Leader Award
gives $500 to the team leading the tournament on the second day of competition.
Angler of the Year Championship
$500 will be presented to the second-day
leader.
»» The Big Bass Award of $1,500 will
be presented to the angler who weighs
the overall biggest bass of the event.
»» The A.R.E. Top Angler Award of
$1,000 will be awarded to the highestplacing angler using A.R.E. products.
»» The Dick Cepek Rolling Forward
Award of $1,000 will be presented to
the angler who makes the largest gain
in AOY points from tournament to
tournament.
2016 Bassmaster Elite
Series Tournament Trail
The 2016 Elite Series comprises 10 tournaments in addition to the Classic Bracket, an
increase over the nine events in 2015.
Event 1
Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels
Competition days: March 17-20
Fishery: St. Johns River
Location: Palatka, Fla.
B.A.S.S. events: 24
Most recent B.A.S.S. winners: Thomas
Oltorik III and James Oltorik;
Daytona State College; 42 pounds,
6 ounces; Jan. 3-5, 2015; Carhartt
Bassmaster College Series
Southern Regional
Host organization: Putnam County
Chamber of Commerce
Event 2
Huk Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay
Competition days: April 7-10
Fishery: Winyah Bay
Location:
Georgetown, S.C.
B.A.S.S. events: 1
Most recent B.A.S.S.
winner: N/A
Host organization:
Georgetown County
Event 3
Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork
Competition days: April 21-24
Fisheries: Bull Shoals Lake/
Norfork Lake
Location: Mountain Home, Ark.
B.A.S.S. events: Bull Shoals – 9;
Norfork – 2
Most recent B.A.S.S. winners:
Bull Shoals – Jason Christie;
Park Hill, Okla., 56 pounds, 8
ounces; April 19-22, 2013;
Elite Series Ramada Quest
Norfork – Takahiro Omori;
Emory, Texas; 27 pounds, 5
ounces; Oct. 13-15, 2005;
Central Open No. 2
Host organization: Mountain
Home Advertising and
Promotion Commission
Elite Facts: When the Elite Series launched in 2006, there were 106 anglers in the
field — the same number as fished B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott’s first tournament
in 1967.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament Stops
Event 4
Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake presented by Magellan
Competition days: April 28-May 1
Fishery: Wheeler Lake
Location: Decatur, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 17
winners: Jimmy Carruth
and Sam George;
Athens, Ala.; 18 pounds,
10 ounces; Sept. 8,
2013; Toyota Bonus
Bucks Owners
Tournament
Host organization: DecaturMorgan County
Convention and Visitors
Bureau
Event 5
A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend
Competition days: May 12-15
Fishery: Toledo Bend
Location: Many, La.
B.A.S.S. events: 20
Most recent B.A.S.S. winners: Logan
O’Dell and Blaine Marks; Buna High
School; 17 pounds, 12 ounces;
March 15, 2015; Costa Bassmaster
High School Central Open
Host organization: Toledo Bend Lake
Country
Elite Facts: Greg Hackney was the first professional angler from Louisiana to win
the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title when he earned the trophy in 2014.
Event 6
GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest presented by Choctaw Casino
Competition days: June 8-12
Fishery: Lake Texoma
Location: Durant, Okla.
B.A.S.S. events: 9
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner:
Mark Pharr; Shreveport,
La.; 27 pounds, 4 ounces;
Oct. 21-23, 2010; Central
Open No. 3
Host organization: Choctaw
Casino
Bassfest Moves To Lake
Texoma For 2016
New fishery brings summertime fun to Oklahoma/Texas border community
The first two BASSfest events were extremely popular among spectators, fans
and anglers, and the third event, to be held on Lake Texoma out of Durant, Okla.,
June 8-12, should prove the same.
Headquartered at the Choctaw Casino Resort, BASSfest will provide fans with
a summertime event that’s educational and fun for the whole family. Besides
being a regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series event, BASSfest will include a
series of interactive seminars known as Bassmaster University.
All 111 Elite Series pros will compete in the 2016 BASSfest. The full field will
compete the first two days of the tournament. On the third day, anglers will participate in Bassmaster University and make appearances at the BASSfest Expo.
Competition will resume on the fourth day with the Top 50 Elite Series pros, followed by the Top 12 on the final day. A berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic
presented by GoPro will be awarded at the final weigh-in. Elite Series points will
be awarded, following the standard Elite Series system.The total payout for the
event will be $700,000 — $50,000 more than regular Elite Series events.
In 2015, more than 23,000 people attended the five-day event at Kentucky
Lake’s Paris Landing in Paris, Tenn. The most popular part of BASSfest was
Bassmaster University, a day of seminars on various techniques, lures and
equipment. Tents will be set up on site at Choctaw Casino Resort, where Elite
Series pros will lecture on a variety of topics as well as interact with fans, fielding questions and signing autographs.
Lake Texoma has never played host to an Elite Series event. The 89,000-acre
impoundment of the Red River was the site of the 1979 Bassmaster Classic won
by Hank Parker, now a popular television fishing show host. It was also the venue
for Bassmaster Opens in 2007 and 2010.
“We are excited to bring BASSfest to a new area of the country this year,” said
Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “We know the Choctaw Casino Resort and the community of Durant will be excellent hosts for this family-friendly event, and we are
anticipating large crowds at this summertime tournament.”
Event 7
Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake
Competition days: June 23-26
Fishery: Cayuga Lake
Location: Union Springs, N.Y.
B.A.S.S. events: 6
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: Greg
Hackney; Gonzales, La.; 85
pounds; Aug. 21-24, 2014; A.R.E.
Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at
Cayuga Lake
Host organization: I Love New York
and Union Springs Chamber of
Commerce
Event 8
Bassmaster Elite Series Classic Bracket
Competition days: July 19-22
Fishery: Niagara River
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
B.A.S.S. events: 4
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: Kotaro Kiriyama;
Moody, Ala.; 93 pounds,
6 ounces; July 31-Aug.
3, 2008; Elite Series
Empire Chase
Host organization: I Love
New York
Elite Facts: Gerald Swindle is the only angler in B.A.S.S. history to surpass $1
million in prize money before winning a tournament.
The All-New Bracket
Showdown
Looking to spice things up a bit for the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series season,
B.A.S.S. added an extra event to the 2016 mix. The new bracket showdown will
include only the Top 8 anglers from the Cayuga Elite Series event and will be a
head-to-head clash, where two anglers are paired against each other in singleelimination rounds until only one is left standing. Buffalo, New York’s Niagara
River is the venue July 19-22, and hefty smallmouth will be the most likely target. And here is the kicker: The winner punches his ticket to the 2017 GEICO
Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The format is a new venture for B.A.S.S. tournaments. First of all, there will
be no weigh-in. This derby is built for Bassmaster LIVE, the incredibly popular
Bassmaster.com live stream that allows fans to watch the competition as it
unfolds. This will be the first time in the history of our sport where the entire
event is broadcast live to the fans. All bass will be weighed by a B.A.S.S. official
on the competitors’ boats (with certified digital scales) and then released immediately. Traditional culling standards are in place.
The contestants will be fishing for a five-fish limit, each in their own boat. The
first round will last two days. Bracket anglers will be decided based on how the
competitors place in the previous tournament. Bracket A (1 vs. 8 and 4 vs. 5) will
fish in the morning of Day 1, while Bracket B (3 vs. 6 and 2 vs. 7) will fish in the
afternoon. On Day 2, Bracket A will fish the afternoon session and Bracket B will
fish in the morning. Once the second day is complete, four anglers will be eliminated. The semifinal round will take place on the third day, with the remaining
anglers fishing head to head from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The weights of the heaviest five-fish limits will determine the finalists. The final
day will feature the last two anglers standing. This pair will fish head to head
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The angler with the heaviest limit will receive the lion’s
share of the $50,000 payout and will be Classic
The Bassmaster Elite Series returns to the
Niagara River for the Bassmaster Elite Series
bound.
Classic Bracket.
Fans will be able to follow the event as it is happening on Bassmaster.
com via Bassmaster LIVE,
and weights will be immediately updated via
BassTrakk. Tune in to this
event to see the groundbreaking structure, as the
new bracket showdown is
sure to play a part in the
competitive future of bass
fishing.
Event 9
Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River
Competition days: Aug. 11-14
Fishery: Potomac River
Location: Charles County,
Md.
B.A.S.S. events: 25
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner:
Skeet Reese; Auburn, Calif.;
66 pounds; Aug. 9-12, 2007;
Elite Series Capitol Clash
Host organization: Charles
County
Event 10
Plano Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River
Competition days: Sept. 8-11
Fishery: Mississippi River
Location: La Crosse, Wis.
B.A.S.S. events: 21
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: Justin
Brown and Brandon Bissell;
Northern Michigan University;
44 pounds, 3 ounces; May 28-30,
2015; Carhartt Bassmaster
College Series Midwestern
Regional presented by Bass Pro
Shops
Host organization: La Crosse
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Elite Facts: Michael Iaconelli is the only angler to have won the Bassmaster
Classic, the Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and the B.A.S.S. Nation
Championship.
Event 11
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship
Competition days: Sept. 15-18
Toyota Bassmaster Angler
Of The Year Championship
The Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title is one of the most respected
accomplishments in the sport of bass fishing. The title is earned by amassing
the most Angler of the Year points, which are based on anglers’ finishes in each
tournament, throughout the season of events held on a myriad of challenging
waters across the nation.
At the end of the regular season, the 111-angler field will be cut down to the
Top 50 anglers based on their performance at each tournament. Two events
have been added to the calendar this year, making it the most challenging
schedule since the Elite Series’ inception in 2006.
Beginning in 2014, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship
became the final stop for the field’s Top 50 anglers, as they made one final push
for the title. Again in 2016, the best 50 professional anglers will meet for a
three-day championship, including a fan appreciation day, to be held on central
Minnesota’s famed Mille Lacs Lake on Sept. 15-18.
This is the first time the Elite Series has ever visited Mille Lacs Lake, which
has garnered the reputation of being one of the finest smallmouth-bass fisheries in the nation. In fact, Bassmaster Magazine’s panel of experts picked Mille
Lacs as No. 10 on the “100 Best Bass Lakes” list for 2015. Mille Lacs is located
about 100 miles north of Minneapolis, and with 132,516 surface acres, the giant
lake is the second-largest inland lake in the state.
The Top 50 bass anglers in the world will vie for their share of a $1 million
purse. The rankings will be based on points earned from their finishes at the 10
previous events, including how well they finish at Mille Lacs during the AOY
Championship. This tournament is not won by the angler who weighs the largest limit of bass; rather, the top angler in the AOY standings after the championship will be awarded $100,000. The remaining $900,000 will be handed out to
the other 49 pros based on where they finished in the points.
There will also be a
minimum of 36 berths in
the 2017 Classic up for
grabs. Spots will be
awarded to the Elite
Series anglers based on
their AOY rankings.
Fishery: Mille Lacs Lake
Location: Mille Lacs,
Minn.
B.A.S.S. events: 1
winner: N/A
Host organization: Grand
Casino and Mille Lacs
Tourism
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers
Randy Allen
Residence: Shreveport, La.
B.A.S.S. events: 65
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Bassmaster Classic qualifications: 0
Bassmaster Classic best finish: N/A
B.A.S.S. earnings: $50,775
Did you know? I have fished all my life. I worked long hours
on my job and couldn’t devote time to be competitive
locally, so I decided to compete in Bassmaster Opens
because the practice time leveled the playing field.
Casey Ashley
Residence: Donalds, S.C.
B.A.S.S. events: 111
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 1st (2015)
B.A.S.S. earnings: $1,193,262
Did you know? If I had one tournament to do over again, it
would be the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell. I
was so young and new; I wish I could have that one back
to fish now.
Website: www.caseyashley.com
Adrian Avena
Residence: Vineland, N.J.
B.A.S.S. events: 12
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I love fishing the Great Lakes — smallmouth
fishing. Using my Lowrance electronics has become my
favorite way to fish.
Website: www.adrianavena.com
Drew Benton
Residence: Panama City, Fla.
B.A.S.S. events: 12
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My favorite place to bass fish is the Flint River
in Georgia. It’s home to my favorite species, and the
meanest, the shoal bass.
Website: www.drewbentonfishing.com
Josh Bertrand
Residence: Gilbert, Ariz.
B.A.S.S. events: 38
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 40th (2014)
Did you know? I started as a fishing guide at the age of 18.
Guiding supported me as I worked to climb the ranks of
tournament fishing. I qualified for the Elite Series by finishing first in points in the 2012 Bassmaster Opens.
Website: www.joshbertrandfishing.com
Tommy Biffle
Residence: Wagoner, Okla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 7
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 2nd (1990, 1994)
Did you know? I would fish the Bassmaster Classic on the
James River again. If I could’ve just caught a limit the last
day, I would’ve easily won. My decision to stay in a spot
that got blown out with mud cost me the win. I’d like to
have that one back for sure!
Website: www.tommybiffle.com
Jay Brainard
Residence: Enid, Okla.
B.A.S.S. events: 3
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I really like fishing water that I have never
been to before. I don’t like history on a body of water.
That being said, if I had to pick my favorite place, it would
be Grand Lake. Most of the year fish can be caught in
6 inches or 26 feet. Grand taught me to be versatile. You
can learn a lot on a lake like that. That’s why I call it home.
Website: www.jaybrainardfishing.com
Stephen Browning
Residence: Hot Springs, Ark.
B.A.S.S. wins: 3
Did you know? I started fishing statewide events, then
moved up to some regional events before finally jumping
into professional bass fishing in 1995. My first professional event was the 1995 Arkansas Invitational, and I finished in 25th place!
Website: www.stephenbrowning.com
Brandon Card
Residence: Caryville, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. events: 51
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My dad and mom took me fishing when I was
very young. My brother and I started competing in tournaments at age 14. I competed at the college level at the
University of Kentucky, and worked my way up through
the ranks from there.
Website: www.brandoncardfishing.com
Brent Chapman
Residence: Lake Quivira, Kan.
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 5th (2010, 2011)
Did you know? If I could redo any tournament, it would
be the Classic that Davy Hite won in 1999. I was on the
winning fish, but didn’t have them figured out until the
final day.
Website: www.brentchapmanfishing.com
Hank Cherry
Residence: Maiden, N.C.
B.A.S.S. events: 41
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 3rd (2013)
Did you know? When I’m not fishing, I like working with my
son, developing his athletic ability and teaching him
about the outdoors.
Website: www.hankcherry.com
Jason Christie
Residence: Park Hill, Okla.
B.A.S.S. events: 40
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? I fished locally for a long time and just got to
a point where I felt like fishing professionally was the
thing to do. I didn’t think I would last long when I first
started, but I’ve made it eight years.
Website: www.christiefishing.com
Luke Clausen
Residence: Otis Orchards, Wash.
B.A.S.S. events: 57
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? If I had one tournament to fish again, it would
be the 2006 Bassmaster Classic. That way, I could further
appreciate how large of an accomplishment it is to win
the biggest tournament of the year.
Website: www.lukeclausenfishing.com
Rick Clunn
Residence: Ava, Mo.
B.A.S.S. wins: 14
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 1st (1976, 1977, 1984, 1990)
Did you know? My favorite place to bass fish is Lake Powell
in Arizona or Utah. It is remote and beautiful. There is
very little light pollution at night and very few humans
once you are on the lake.
Keith Combs
Residence: Huntington, Texas
B.A.S.S. events: 55
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? When I’m not fishing competitively, I still fish.
Living in east Texas, we have so many awesome fisheries
close, it’s hard not to want to fish every day.
Brandon Coulter
Residence: Knoxville, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. events: 24
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? If I had a tournament to fish again, it would be
the Lake Havasu Elite event. I had no pre-tournament
preparation, and combined with a shortened practice
period, the tournament was not successful.
Website: www.brandoncoulterfishing.com
John Crews
Residence: Salem, Va.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? When I’m not competing, I love spending time
with family and working with Missile Baits.
Website: www.johncrews.com
Cliff Crochet
Residence: Pierre Part, La.
B.A.S.S. events: 80
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My favorite place to fish is the Atchafalaya
Basin. It’s such a big, natural fishery.
Website: www.cliffcrochet.com
Clent Davis
Residence: Montevallo, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 5
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I’ve been fishing tournaments for as long as I
can remember. I probably really got started down this
path when we started a fishing team at the University of
Montevallo.
Website: www.clentdavisfishing.com
Mark Davis
Residence: Mount Ida, Ark.
B.A.S.S. wins: 5
Did you know? My dad first took me fishing at 3 years old.
From a young age, I worked my way up through bass fishing clubs until I was ready to fish professionally.
Ott DeFoe
Residence: Knoxville, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. events: 67
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? My dad took my brother and me on a trip to
Lake Okeechobee bass fishing when we were young, and
it was the coolest trip and experience ever. After that, we
came home and started bass fishing. After several years
of fishing locally, we finally started actually “competing”
and that really got me going.
Website: www.ottdefoe.com
Boyd Duckett
Residence: Guntersville, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? The 2010 Bassmaster Classic at Red River is a
tournament I would do over. I didn’t make the adjustment
on the last day that I knew I should. The boat traffic pressure ran the fish out of a shallow bay that I led the tournament in, and I watched Skeet Reese beat me in the mouth
of that bay.
Website: www.duckettfishing.com
Brent Ehrler
Residence: Newport Beach, Calif.
B.A.S.S. events: 25
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I started fishing as a hobby. I wasn’t planning
on fishing full time, but I kind of stumbled into it.
Website: www.brentehrler.com
James Elam
Residence: Tulsa, Okla.
B.A.S.S. events: 33
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? My father got me into fishing at an early age.
We fished tournaments all the time when I was growing
up. My whole family likes to fish, even my grandma.
Paul Elias
Residence: Laurel, Miss.
B.A.S.S. wins: 6
would be the first Classic on the James River. I should
have changed my presentation. I believe I was on the winning fish.
Website: www.indepthfishinglessons.com
Edwin Evers
Residence: Talala, Okla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 10
Did you know? I really enjoy fishing a couple of farm ponds
around my house. My son Kade usually joins me, and we
have made some great memories together catching fish.
Website: www.edwinevers.com
Todd Faircloth
Residence: Jasper, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 5
Did you know? My favorite fishery is Sam Rayburn Lake in
Jasper, Texas. It’s my home lake and where I learned how
to fish.
Website: www.toddfaircloth.com
Seth Feider
Residence: Bloomington, Minn.
B.A.S.S. events: 24
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? I love to fish Mille Lacs Lake. Right now, it is
the best smallmouth fishery in the world.
Micah Frazier
Residence: Newnan, Ga.
B.A.S.S. events: 14
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? One of my favorite places to fish is Lake
Champlain. You can fish any way you prefer, and it
changes every year.
Chad Grigsby
Residence: Maple Grove, Minn.
B.A.S.S. events: 9
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? If I could do one tournament over again, it
would be a 2005 event on Lake Champlain. With 20 minutes
left on Day 1, I found a fish on a bed and instead of marking
it for my Day 2 start, I caught it. The time it took to catch
and cull it made me two minutes late. I finished in 13th
place, just missing the cut by less than 1 pound.
Shaw Grigsby
Residence: Gainesville, Fla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 9
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 2nd (1993)
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like spending
time in the outdoors — hunting or fishing — with my
grandson Bryce.
Greg Hackney
Residence: Gonzales, La.
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? My fishing mentors are my grandfather and
my father. They are the hardest working people I’ve ever
known.
Matt Herren
Residence: Ashville, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 88
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
would be the California Delta Elite Series event. I would
have left to come back 10 minutes sooner. My prop ended
up breaking, and I didn’t have time to change it.
Brett Hite
Residence: Phoenix, Ariz.
B.A.S.S. events: 86
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? When I’m not tournament fishing, I love
spending time at home in Arizona and doing any outdoor
activities.
Website: www.bretthite.com
Davy Hite
Residence: Ninety Six, S.C.
B.A.S.S. wins: 8
Did you know? I love to fish Lake Murray because I grew up
there and learned to fish there.
Tim Horton
Residence: Muscle Shoals, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? I became interested in competitive bass fish-
ing by watching it on television.
Website: www.timmyhortonoutdoors.com
Randy Howell
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? I grew up in a family marina business, guiding
and fishing tournaments from 12 years old. I always knew
that professional fishing is what I was made to do.
Website: www.randyhowell.com
John Hunter
Residence: Shelbyville, Ky.
B.A.S.S. events: 3
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? The 2015 Northern Open on Lake Erie is an
event I’d like to do over. It was the most fish I have ever
lost in my life, and I still managed to finish in the Top 20.
If I was able to go back and make some adjustments, I
would have landed more fish and been in the hunt to win.
Website: www.johnhunterfishing.com
Michael Iaconelli
Residence: Pittsgrove, N.J.
B.A.S.S. wins: 8
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like trying my
hand at landscape architecture, dog agility, jewelry making, collecting arrowheads, calligraphy, olive oil pressing
and truffle hunting.
Website: www.mikeiaconelli.com
Ken Iyobe
Residence: Aichi, Japan
B.A.S.S. events: 30
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My favorite place to fish is the Red River in
Louisiana. I got a third-place finish at the Bassmaster
Central Open there in 2013.
Website: www.10ftu.com
Kelley Jaye
Residence: Dadeville, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 47
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I started fishing in small club tournaments,
then worked my way up through regional trails before
competing in the Bassmaster Opens Series, where I qualified in my second year to fish the Elite Series.
Website: www.kelleyjaye.com
Carl Jocumsen
Residence: Frisco, Texas
B.A.S.S. events: 37
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I started bass fishing when Australian Bass
Tournaments came to my home lake for the Grand Final,
and when I saw them fish, I knew it was what I wanted
to do!
Website: www.carljocumsen.com
Alton Jones
Residence: Lorena, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 6
Did you know? My grandfather taught me to fish. I’ve wanted
to be a professional fisherman since I was 7 or 8. I began
fishing B.A.S.S. events in 1990, and struggled the first
few years, but God saw me through those lean years. It’s
a blessing to get to be a pro bass fisherman, and I have to
pinch myself just to make sure I’m not dreaming!
Website: www.altonjones.com
Kelly Jordon
Residence: Flint, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? I became interested in professional bass fish-
ing when I won a boat in a year-end team championship. I
went for it the next year in the boat that I won, and I’m
still here and very grateful to be here.
Website: www.kellyjordon.com
Steve Kennedy
Residence: Auburn, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? If I had one tournament to fish again, it would
be on Lake Erie. There was one really big smallmouth that
I saw every day, but I couldn’t catch it.
Kotaro Kiriyama
Residence: Moody, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? The most challenging thing about profes-
sional bass fishing is the mental challenge of having
confidence during a tough day on the water.
Gary Klein
Residence: Weatherford, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 8
Did you know? I have never had another occupation besides
being a professional angler. I won my second B.A.S.S.
event that I entered; I was always 100 percent committed
to the sport.
Website: www.garykleinproangler.com
Koby Kreiger
Residence: Bokeelia, Fla.
B.A.S.S. events: 51
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I love to spend my
time tarpon fishing.
Website: www.kobykreiger.com
Jeff Kriet
Residence: Ardmore, Okla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? My Aunt Foofie was the one who introduced
me to bass fishing.
Bobby Lane
Residence: Lakeland, Fla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? I love to fish in Florida because the bass are
bigger.
Chris Lane
B.A.S.S. wins: 7
Did you know? I love to fish Lake Guntersville. There are tons
of quality fish and beautiful scenery. For that reason, I
moved my family there in 2010.
Website: www.chrislanefishing.com
Russ Lane
Residence: Prattville, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? Twelve years ago I fished the Opens and qual-
ified for the Elite Series. It has been a blast ever since!
Website: www.russlanefishing.com
Jordan Lee
Residence: Vinemont, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 23
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series really
started my career. It was such a great stepping stone
to jump into pro fishing. Fishing full time is something
I’ve always wanted to do, even before high school. You
just have to take it step by step and be patient, like anything else.
Website: www.jordanleefishing.com
Matt Lee
B.A.S.S. events: 27
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I got started fishing at the collegiate level on
the Auburn University fishing team, then continued on
to qualify for the Elite Series through the Southern Opens
in 2014.
Website: www.mattleefishing.com
Dave Lefebre
Residence: Erie, Pa.
B.A.S.S. events: 27
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I love going to places I’ve never been, but
Presque Isle Bay/Lake Erie is my favorite place to fish. It’s
where I live, where I learned and continue to learn and
experiment. You can catch fish using any technique, and
you can catch a lot of them. It’s also the perfect place to
take beginners and young kids to have fun!
Website: www.davelefebre.com
Brandon Lester
Residence: Fayetteville, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. events: 32
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? When I’m not competing on the Elite Series
tour, I love to deer hunt in the fall and winter and turkey
hunt in the spring. I also love spending time with my
friends and family.
Website: www.brandonlesterfishing.com
Shane Lineberger
Residence: Lincolnton, N.C.
B.A.S.S. events: 21
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? Lake Murray in South Carolina is one of my
favorite fisheries because there are so many different
ways to catch ’em there. It’s a great place to learn.
Website: www.shanelineberger.com
Jared Lintner
Residence: Arroyo Grande, Calif.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
would be the 2015 California Delta Elite tournament. I prepracticed hard for that tournament, and had one of the
best official practices ever. With little actual fishing time, I
realized the fish I was on moved and started spawning,
but I ran out of time.
Bill Lowen
Residence: Brookville, Ind.
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? The Ohio River is one of my favorite fisheries.
It’s one of the toughest places to fish.
Website: www.billlowen.com
Justin Lucas
B.A.S.S. events: 29
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? If I had one tournament to do over, it would
be the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. I should’ve fished my
“magic” dock longer than one hour on Day 1. It cost me a
Top 3 finish in my first Classic.
Website: www.justinlucasfishing.com
Aaron Martens
Residence: Leeds, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 8
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 2nd (2002, 2004, 2005, 2011)
Did you know? I got started fishing small, private lakes and
golf ponds in southern California.
Website: www.aaronmartens.com
Billy McCaghren
Residence: Mayflower, Ark.
B.A.S.S. events: 76
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? My favorite fishery is Lake Conway. I grew up
fishing there with my dad and several local guys who
taught me the ropes of bass fishing.
Mike McClelland
Residence: Bella Vista, Ark.
B.A.S.S. wins: 7
Did you know? When I was 15, I met many of my heroes at an
event on Table Rock Lake. My dad helped me enter the 1987
U.S. Bass Fisherman’s Dream Tournament in Chattanooga,
Tenn., when I was 17. I won $10,000, and my desire to
become a professional started. My professional career
began in 1996 when I won back-to-back B.A.S.S. Invitationals.
Website: www.mikemcclellandfishing.com
Mark Menendez
Residence: Paducah, Ky.
B.A.S.S. wins: 3
Did you know? My favorite place to fish for bass is the Coosa
River. It’s pretty simple; I love fishing for Coosa River
spotted bass.
Website: www.markmenendez.com
Yusuke Miyazaki
Residence: Forney, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I enjoy fishing in all the different places and
meeting people from all over the country.
Ish Monroe
Residence: Hughson, Calif.
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? I am always fishing! If I’m not fishing for bass,
I am fishing saltwater somewhere around the world.
Website: www.ishmonroe.com
Andy Montgomery
Residence: Blacksburg, S.C.
B.A.S.S. events: 56
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? If I had a tournament to do over again, it
would the Lake St. Clair Elite event in 2015. I made bad,
bad decisions that kept me out of the Classic.
Website: www.andymontgomeryfishing.com
Chad Morgenthaler
Residence: Reeds Spring, Mo.
B.A.S.S. events: 91
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? I got started in professional bass fishing by
participating in buddy tournaments and team trails and
taking a giant leap of faith.
Website: www.chadmorgenthaler.com
Brock Mosley
Residence: Collinsville, Miss.
B.A.S.S. events: 23
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
would be the 2013 Bassmaster Central Open on the
Arkansas River. I was 1 ounce out of the lead going into
the final day and made the wrong decision, which
resulted in my finishing fifth.
Website: www.brockmosley.com
Paul Mueller
Residence: Naugatuck, Conn.
B.A.S.S. events: 16
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My career in professional bass fishing started
when I joined a local club in Connecticut and started at
the local level, fishing B.A.S.S. Nation events.
Website: www.paulmuellerfishing.com
David Mullins
Residence: Mount Carmel, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. events: 20
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? The most challenging aspect of professional
bass fishing is obtaining sponsorships.
John Murray
Residence: Phoenix, Ariz.
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? I’ve been fishing tournaments since age 13.
As Skeet Reese says, “I’ve never had a real job.”
Website: www.johnmurrayfishing.com
Britt Myers
Residence: Lake Wylie, S.C.
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My favorite fishery is Lake Wylie. This is
where I learned to bass fish, and I have lots of great fishing memories on this lake.
Website: www.brittmyersfishing.com
James Niggemeyer
Residence: Van, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? When I was 18, I got my first check in a bass
club called the Bassin’ Buddies in southern California. I
was hooked, and while I wasn’t sure how far I would go
with it, I was content just trying to find out.
Website: www.jamesniggemeyer.com
Takahiro Omori
Residence: Emory, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 5
Did you know? I love to fish any shallow lakes with power
fishing.
Website: www.takahiroomori.com
Cliff Pace
Residence: Petal, Miss.
B.A.S.S. wins: 3
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like hunting and
designing lures. As long as it is outside or involves fishing, I enjoy it.
Brandon Palaniuk
Residence: Hayden, Idaho
B.A.S.S. events: 61
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? When I’m not fishing, I love spending time
with friends and family in the outdoors.
Website: www.bmpfishing.com
Chad Pipkens
Residence: Holt, Mich.
B.A.S.S. events: 43
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? My favorite place to fish is Lake Champlain,
New York. It is a great place for numbers of smallmouth
and some quality ones. The best part is you can catch
them power fishing with topwaters, crankbaits and jerkbaits!
Website: www.chadpipkens.com
Clifford Pirch
Residence: Payson, Ariz.
B.A.S.S. events: 42
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I love to shoot
archery and hunt.
Website: www.cliffordpirchoutdoors.com
Keith Poche
Residence: Pike Road, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 91
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? My favorite body of water to fish is the
Alabama River. It’s the place where I first started fishing
competitively.
Website: www.keithpoche.com
Jacob Powroznik
Residence: Port Haywood, Va.
B.A.S.S. events: 26
B.A.S.S. wins: 3
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I love to hunt and
fish for cobia.
Website: www.jacobpowroznik.com
Brett Preuett
Residence: Monroe, La.
B.A.S.S. events: 10
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like to spend my
time at a cabin in northern Arkansas, kayaking, hiking,
hunting and fishing for trout and smallmouth. I like to
spend time with family and friends, just fishing, camping
or doing stuff together.
Cliff Prince
Residence: Palatka, Fla.
B.A.S.S. events: 61
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I’ve always had a love for the outdoors and
competition. I started fishing when I could walk and
started competitive fishing after high school.
Website: www.cliffprincefishing.com
Matt Reed
Residence: Madisonville, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? I don’t have an event I would want to do over.
You can’t look back; it will drive you crazy in this game.
Website: www.mattreedbasspro.com
Skeet Reese
Residence: Auburn, Calif.
B.A.S.S. wins: 8
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like to play golf
and spend time with my family.
Website: www.skeetreeseinc.com
Marty Robinson
Residence: Lyman, S.C.
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? If I could pick any lake to fish, it would be
Toledo Bend. It has a huge population of fish and lots of
trophy bass.
Website: www.martyrobinson.com
Fabian Rodriguez
Residence: Ocean City, Md.
B.A.S.S. events: 21
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like spending
time with friends and family in Ocean City, and maybe
doing a little fishing and clamming.
Website: www.fabianrod.com
Dean Rojas
Residence: Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
B.A.S.S. wins: 4
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I enjoy boat
racing.
Website: www.deanrojas.com
Scott Rook
Residence: Little Rock, Ark.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? If I could take one tournament back, it would
be the 2001 Classic. I saved my best area for the last day,
and the hurricane pushed mud into that area. I didn’t
catch anything there. I should have fished it the first two
days, and then I might have won.
Fred Roumbanis
Residence: Bixby, Okla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? My favorite body of water to fish is the
California Delta. It will always be home, and any bite
could be a double-digit fish.
Website: www.boomboomfishing.com
Bradley Roy
Residence: Lancaster, Ky.
B.A.S.S. events: 68
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I grew up loving to fish, then I excelled in the
junior programs at B.A.S.S. I continued to move up until I
eventually made it to the Elite Series.
Website: www.bradleyroy.com
Casey Scanlon
Residence: Rocky Mount, Mo.
B.A.S.S. events: 49
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? I learned to bass fish by reading Bassmaster
Magazine and watching fishing shows. I started fishing
tournaments at the age of 15. I won the first bass club
event I entered. It became a goal of mine to fish professionally. I fished a lot of tournaments throughout high
school and college.
Website: www.caseyscanlonfishing.com
Bernie Schultz
Residence: Gainesville, Fla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? While attending classes at the University of
Florida, one of my instructors introduced me to the local
bass club. My first tournament draw was none other than
Shaw Grigsby. Although I had fished throughout my
youth, it was at that point when I learned what “competitive fishing” was all about.
Website: www.bernieschultzfishing.com
Terry Scroggins
Residence: San Mateo, Fla.
B.A.S.S. wins: 5
Did you know? My favorite bass fishery is Okeechobee
because I love to flip grass.
Website: www.bigshowscroggins.com
Morizo Shimizu
Residence: Osaka, Japan
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? I got started fishing professionally after I won
the Japanese Classic.
Website: www.morizoshimizu.jp
Fletcher Shryock
Residence: New Philadelphia, Ohio
B.A.S.S. events: 50
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? When I started my professional fishing career,
I had only fished local tournaments for a few years and
decided to throw myself into the Bassmaster Opens. I
won the second event that I fished, and it has changed
my life.
Website: www.fletchershryock.com
Brian Snowden
Residence: Reeds Spring, Mo.
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? One tournament that I would do over again
would be the Elite event on the Harris Chain of Lakes. I
was leading the event by a large margin, and I failed to
catch a keeper on the last day of the event.
Website: www.briansnowden.com
Gerald Swindle
Residence: Warrior, Ala.
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I spend my down
time at our farm, planting food plots for deer. I guess you
could say I’m a closet farmer.
Website: www.geraldswindle.com
Randall Tharp
Residence: Port St. Joe, Fla.
B.A.S.S. events: 49
B.A.S.S. wins: 3
Did you know? My favorite place to fish is someplace new. I
love fishing a body of water for the first time. There are
no preconceived notions, and I love figuring out a way to
catch fish there that suits my strengths and style.
Website: www.randytharp.com
Dennis Tietje
Residence: Roanoke, La.
B.A.S.S. events: 54
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I’m a part-time
fireman and a bass guide.
J Todd Tucker
Residence: Moultrie, Ga.
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? If I could fish another event again, it would be
the Lake St. Clair Elite event in 2015. I let my emotions get
in the way after losing several fish and making the final
day. We all struggle with juggling emotions, but the
guys who can overcome them are the professionals who
succeed.
Website: www.jtoddtucker.com
Jonathon VanDam
Residence: Kalamazoo, Mich.
B.A.S.S. events: 66
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? I got started in professional bass fishing by
closely following my uncle’s career and working at my
family’s sporting goods store. That led me to the
Bassmaster Opens and eventually to the Elite Series.
Website: www.jonathonvandam.com
Kevin VanDam
Residence: Kalamazoo, Mich.
B.A.S.S. wins: 20
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 1st (2001, 2005, 2010, 2011)
would be an event on Lake Dardanelle. I caught myself
fishing places from past tournaments I’ve fished there.
Website: www.kevinvandam.com
Byron Velvick
Residence: Boerne, Texas
B.A.S.S. wins: 3
Did you know? This year I’ve been playing a lot of tennis and
rehabbing my back to come back for 2016. While I have
not spent a lot of time in a boat fishing, I plan on committing myself to a good amount of time in February on the
water.
Website: www.bryonvelvick.com
Matt Vermilyea
Residence: Perrysburg, Ohio
B.A.S.S. events: 8
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? I look to get something positive out of every
tournament, each a new learning experience. For that reason, I will take them as they come and be more prepared
for the next.
Website: www.mattvermilyea.com
Greg Vinson
Residence: Wetumpka, Ala.
B.A.S.S. events: 99
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Did you know? I love to fish Lake Jordan. It’s small, so I don’t
burn much gas, and it’s one of the best spotted bass lakes
in the country. It’s a great lake to tune up for upcoming
tour-level events because it offers a variety of different
patterns in a compact package.
Website: www.gregvinson.com
David Walker
Residence: Sevierville, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. wins: 1
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 3rd (2001, 2002)
Did you know? When I’m not competing, I like camping with
my family and redfishing.
Website: www.davidwalkerfishing.com
Nate Wellman
Residence: Newaygo, Mich.
B.A.S.S. events: 52
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? When I’m not bass fishing, I like to spend my
time duck hunting or fishing for salmon and steelhead.
David Williams
Residence: Newton, N.C.
B.A.S.S. events: 30
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Did you know? If I could fish one tournament over, it would
be the 2015 Sabine River Elite Series event. I had mechanical issues on the first day and couldn’t make it to my fish.
I got it fixed and caught the biggest bag on Day 2. I
missed the Top 12 by about a pound.
Jason Williamson
Residence: Wagener, S.C.
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? My fishing mentor is Kevin VanDam. He’s just
a machine. He’s the man all of us want to beat. His success year in, year out is mighty impressive.
Website: www.j-will.com
Chris Zaldain
Residence: San Jose, Calif.
B.A.S.S. events: 54
B.A.S.S. wins: 2
Did you know? I started out in an 8-foot kick boat competing
in small tournaments in California. I stayed competitive in
every level and steadily worked my way up to the Elite
Series. The whole process took 10 years.
Website: www.zaldain.com
The Bassmaster Marshal
program offers the
chance to ride along in a
pro’s boat during Elite
and Classic competitions.
Offers Marshal Program
The Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal program, which began in 2009, was wildly popular at each Elite Series event in 2015 and
will continue in 2016. The program gives
B.A.S.S. members the opportunity to ride
along with Bassmaster Elite Series pros during competition throughout the Elite Series
regular season, learning a lifetime of bass
fishing tips and techniques from the best in
the business.
Marshal slots are in great demand, therefore applicants usually will want to sign up
as soon as registration opens, paying a fee
of $125 for a regular-season Bassmaster
Elite event and $500 for the Bassmaster
Classic. The marshal is guaranteed a spot
with an angler on Thursday and Friday
during Elite Series competition days. The
first 45 to 50 who sign up will be selected
to go out with a pro on Saturday, when the
field is cut to 50. A drawing determines
which marshals get to ride along with the
Top 12 anglers on the final day, Sunday.
Marshals must attend a registration and
briefing by B.A.S.S. officials, who also
provide copies of B.A.S.S. rules. The marshals help ensure the integrity of the highest level of professional fishing by reporting
rules violations to B.A.S.S. tournament
officials.
On the water, marshals also help B.A.S.S.
by operating BASSTrakk, a cellphone-based
scoring technology. By logging the anglers’
catches throughout the day, marshals enable
fans to follow the action on Bassmaster.com
and see how the top bass fishing pros in the
world are performing.
Similar to the popular “Day on the Lake”
feature in Bassmaster Magazine, Bassmaster
marshals witness first-hand a full day of
tournament fishing from the best seat in
the house. Marshals receive official
Bassmaster marshal apparel and products
from B.A.S.S. sponsors, and they are
invited to an exclusive social function with
the Elite Series pros.
Bass Pro Shops
Bassmaster Opens
The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, often
referred to as the Triple-A League of B.A.S.S.’s
Tournament Trail, gives everyday anglers the opportunity to shine and join Elite Series pros on the biggest
stage in bass fishing: the GEICO Bassmaster Classic
presented by GoPro.
The Opens are composed of three circuits —
Northern, Southern and Central — each consisting of
three tournaments. To make it to the “big show,” an angler
must win an Open tournament while competing in all three
events of that division. That’s no small feat considering that Opens
fields are often made up of the hottest local anglers as well as current and former Bassmaster Elite Series pros. In addition to a
Classic berth, many Opens pros are hoping to qualify for the
world’s most prestigious tour, the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Invitations are extended to the Top 5 competitors
according to points standings in each division,
after excluding previously qualified Elite Series
anglers.
Each division consists of a trio of three-day
tournaments where pros compete for cash, prizes
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens
Pro Angler Purse
Place Winnings
Place Winnings
Place Winnings
1st
$51,400* 15th
$2,500 29th
$2,200
2nd
$15,200 16th
$2,500 30th
$2,200
3rd
$11,400 17th
$2,500 31st
$1,900
4th
$10,200 18th
$2,500 32nd
$1,900
5th
$8,900 19th
$2,500 33rd
$1,900
6th
$7,600 20th
$2,500 34th
$1,900
7th
$6,400 21st
$2,500 35th
$1,900
8th
$5,100 22nd
$2,500 36th
$1,600
9th
$3,800 23rd
$2,500 37th
$1,600
10th
$3,500 24th
$2,500 38th
$1,600
11th
$3,200 25th
$2,500 39th
$1,600
12th
$3,000 26th
$2,200 40th
$1,600
13th
$2,500 27th
$2,200
14th
$2,500 28th
$2,200
*Winnings consist of $45,000 in merchandise and $6,400 cash; payout for all other places is cash only
based on a field of 150 anglers and adjusted for actual participation.
www.bassmaster.com
and the coveted berth in the following calendar year’s Bassmaster Classic. The winner takes
home a fully rigged, tournament-ready boat-and-motor package, as well as a check and a
ticket to the Classic. Pros at the Opens level are competing for a total purse of $185,700
(based on a 150-boat field) at each Opens tournament.
While qualifying for the exclusive Elite Series is extremely challenging, any B.A.S.S.
member in good standing can compete in the Opens, as long as openings are available. You
don’t even need to own a bass boat to participate. For every angler fishing in the pro division, a co-angler is assigned to fish from the back of the boat. Co-anglers — also called
nonboaters — fish against the other co-anglers for a boat-and-motor package valued at
roughly $30,000, setting them up to fish the pro division the following year.
The three-day format sees a field of between 140 and 180 boats of pros and co-anglers
fishing the first two days, with only the Top 12 competing on the third and final day. Most
of the final-day weigh-ins are held at Bass Pro Shops stores near the tournament waters,
creating a fun and exciting atmosphere.
The 2016 Opens schedule kicked off Jan. 28-30 on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
In 2011, Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle won his very first B.A.S.S. tournament on the
Kissimmee Chain when he weighed in an impressive three-day total of 80 pounds, 12
ounces to claim the title of Bass Pro Shops Southern Open No. 1 champion. Florida native
Bobby Lane was not far behind Swindle with a total of 77 pounds, 13 ounces.
In 2016, the Opens will also visit Louisiana,
Chad Morgenthaler earned a firstAlabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, New York and
place finish and Classic berth at the
Virginia. Follow the Opens at Bassmaster.com/open. 2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster
Southern Open on Lake Toho.
2016 Bass Pro Shops
Bassmaster Opens
Co-Angler Purse
Place
1st
Co-anglers—anglers who
fish in the back of a pro’s
boat — fish against the
other co-anglers for a
boat-and-motor prize
package.
Winnings
$30,000*
2nd
$4,900
3rd
$3,700
4th
$2,500
5th
$2,300
6th
$2,200
7th
$2,100
8th
$2,000
9th
$1,900
10th
$1,700
11th
$1,500
12th
$1,400
13th
$1,200
14th
$1,100
15th
$1,000
16th
$900
17th
$700
18th
$600
19th
$600
20th
$500
21-40
$425
*Winnings consist of
$30,000 in merchandise;
payout for all other places
is cash only based on a
field of 150 anglers.
www.bassmaster.com
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series
Southern Division
Southern Open
No. 1
Jan. 28-30
Kissimmee Chain of
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Lakes
Location:
Kissimmee, Fla.
22
B.A.S.S. Events:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Chad
Morgenthaler; Coulterville, Ill.; 52
pounds, 7 ounces; Jan. 15-17, 2015;
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster
Southern Open #1
Visit Kissimmee and
Central Florida Sports
Commission
Host:
Southern Open
No. 2
March 31-April 2
Smith Lake
Location: Jasper, Ala.
B.A.S.S. Events: 7
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: David
Kilgore; Jasper, Ala.; 54 pounds, 11
ounces; March 6-8, 2014; Bass Pro
Shops Bassmaster Southern
Open #2
Walker County Chamber
of Commerce
Host:
Southern Open
No. 3
May 19-21
Douglas Lake
Location: Dandridge, Tenn.
B.A.S.S. Events: 8
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Ott
DeFoe; Knoxville, Tenn.; 62 pounds,
5 ounces; May 29-31, 2014; Bass Pro
Shops Bassmaster Northern
Open #1
Jefferson County
Chamber of Commerce
Host:
Central Division
Central Open
No. 1
June 2-4
Arkansas River
Location: Muskogee, Okla.
B.A.S.S. Events: 12
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Mark
Tyler; Scottsdale, Ariz.; 42
pounds, 14 ounces; Sept. 11-13,
2014; Bass Pro Shops
Bassmaster Central Open #3
The Greater
Muskogee Area Chamber
of Commerce
Host:
Central Open
No. 2
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Red River
Location: Shreveport/Bossier City,
La.
B.A.S.S. Events: 17
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winners: John Ledet
and Justin Cooper; Northwestern State
University; 30 pounds, 9 ounces; March
5-7, 2015; Carhartt Bassmaster College
Series presented by Bass Pro Shops
Shreveport–Bossier Sports
Commission
Host:
Central Open
No. 3
Oct. 27-29
Atchafalaya Basin
Location: Morgan City, La.
B.A.S.S. Events: 5
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Dale
Hightower; Sand Springs, Okla.;
39 pounds, 7 ounces; June 6-8,
2012; Cabela’s B.A.S.S.
Federation Nation Central
Divisional
Cajun Coast Visitors
and Convention Bureau
Host:
Northern Division
Northern Open
No. 1
June 30-July 2
Oneida Lake
Location: Syracuse, N.Y.
B.A.S.S. Events: 12
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Randy
Howell; Springville, Ala.; 49
pounds, 2 ounces; Aug. 6-8, 2015;
Northern Open #2
Syracuse Convention
and Visitors Bureau
Host:
Northern Open
No. 2
Aug. 18-20
James River
Location: Richmond, Va.
B.A.S.S. Events: 11
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Chris
Dillow; Waynesboro, Va.; 50 pounds,
12 ounces; July 9-11, 2015; Bass Pro
Shops Bassmaster Northern Open #1
Host:
Visit Richmond
Northern Open
No. 3
Sept. 21-23
Lake Champlain
Location: Plattsburgh, N.Y.
B.A.S.S. Events: 14
Competition Days:
Fishery:
Most Recent B.A.S.S. Winner: Shinichi
Fukae; Palestine, Texas; 56 pounds,
13 ounces; July 31-Aug. 2, 2014;
Northern Open #2
Adirondack’s
Convention Visitors Bureau
Host:
Appendix
B.A.S.S. Tournament Records
B.A.S.S. All-Time Tournament Records
Glossary of Bass Fishing Terms
Top 20 Heaviest Total Weights (Five-Bass Limit)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Paul Elias
Terry Scroggins
Byron Velvick
Aaron Martens
Mark Davis
Scott Rook
Steve Kennedy
Scott Campbell
Jason Williamson
Skeet Reese
Preston Clark
Ben Matsubu
Casey Ashley
Michael Iaconelli
Derek Remitz
Dean Rojas
Rick Morris
Aaron Martens
Greg Gutierrez
Skeet Reese
132-8
132-4
131-15
129-7
128-15
125-10
122-14
120-1
118-2
117-6
115-15
114-13
113-3
112-6
111-7
108-12
108-7
108-4
108-1
108-0
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Clear Lake, Calif.
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Clear Lake, Calif.
Santee Cooper, S.C.
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon Lake, Texas
Lake Amistad, Texas
Kissimmee Chain, Fla.
Falcon Lake, Texas
Santee Cooper, S.C.
Clear Lake, Calif.
Santee Cooper, S.C.
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2007
2008
2008
2007
2006
2008
2008
2008
2007
2001
2008
2006
2007
2006
Most Bassmaster
Tournament Wins
20
Kevin VanDam
19
Roland Martin
17
Denny Brauer
14
Rick Clunn
13
Larry Nixon
10
Edwin Evers
9
Shaw Grigsby
8
Davy Hite
8
Gary Klein
8
Aaron Martens
8
Skeet Reese
7
George Cochran
Top 10 Largest Bass in B.A.S.S. Competition
1.
Mark Tyler
14-9
California Delta, Calif.
1999
2.
Mark Menendez
13-9
Richland Chambers,
Texas
1997
Falcon Lake, Texas
2008
3.
Scott Campbell
13-2
4.
Michael Iaconelli
12-13 Lake Amistad, Texas
2009
4.
Bob Tyndall
12-13 St. Johns River, Fla.
1973
6
Jeff Reynolds
12-11 Clear Lake, Calif.
2007
7.
John Sappington 12-8
2001
8.
Scott Campbell
12-7
Lake Amistad, Texas
2007
9.
Bill Bailey
12-3
St. Johns River, Fla.
1973
10. David Walker
12-1
2001
10. Tim Horton
12-1
Clear Lake, Calif.
2007
7
Bill Dance
7
Ron Shuffield
7
Peter Thliveros
7
Mike McClelland
7
Chris Lane
7
Tommy Biffle
6
Paul Elias
B.A.S.S. Millionaires And Top All-Time Money Winners
$5,774,476
$1,947,943
$1,614,345
Kevin VanDam
Davy Hite
$3,073,653
$1,892,868
Skeet Reese
$2,645,228
Aaron Martens
$2,584,823
Dean Rojas
$1,889,476
Mike McClelland
$1,595,237
Boyd Duckett
$1,517,324
Peter Thliveros
Kelly Jordon
Denny Brauer
Greg Hackney
$1,880,273
$1,483,889
$2,498,378
$1,782,552
$1,400,009
$2,454,541
$1,798,647
$1,384,369
$1,775,703
$1,363,957
Edwin Evers
Alton Jones
$2,320,509
Michael Iaconelli
$2,280,709
Rick Clunn
$2,166,149
Mark Davis
Chris Lane
Terry Scroggins
$1,705,947
Tim Horton
Scott Rook
Cliff Pace
Jay Yelas
$1,316,763
Takahiro Omori
Steve Kennedy
Tommy Biffle
Randy Howell
$1,725,051
$1,315,382
$2,075,311
$1,696,886
$1,291,271
Gary Klein
Brent Chapman
$2,054,306
$1,710,097
Shaw Grigsby
Gerald Swindle
$2,044,362
$1,634,858
Todd Faircloth
Ish Monroe
Zell Rowland
$1,192,972
Stephen Browning
Larry Nixon
Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., has
earned four Bassmaster
Classic trophies. His first
Classic win was the 1976
Bassmaster Classic held on
Lake Guntersville. Clunn
weighed in a three day total
of 59 pounds, 15 ounces.
Heaviest Single-Day Catch (Five-Bass Limit)
#
Weight Angler
Date
Tournament
1.
45-02
Jan. 17, 2001
Lake Tohopekaliga, Fla.
2.
44-04
Terry Scroggins April 6, 2008
Falcon Lake, Texas
3.
42-00
Aaron Martens April 6, 2008
Falcon Lake, Texas
4.
41-11
Byron Velvick April 6, 2008
Falcon Lake, Texas
5.
41-10
Mark Davis
Lake Tohopekaliga, Fla.
Dean Rojas
Jan. 18, 2001
Youngest Bassmaster Elite Series Winners
Age (Y-M-D)
23-04-09
Angler
Casey Ashley
Tournament
2007, Smith Mountain Lake, Va.
23-09-18
Jacob Wheeler
2014, Chickamauga Lake, Tenn.
24-08-11
Derek Remitz
2007, Lake Amistad, Texas
27-03-14
Casey Ashley
2011, Lake Murray, S.C.
28-05-27
Jason Williamson
2009, Lake Amistad, Texas
29-06-12
Fred Roumbanis
2008, Lake Murray, S.C.
Oldest Bassmaster Elite Series Winners
Age (Y-M-D)
62-04-09
Angler
Denny Brauer
Tournament
2011, Arkansas River, Ark.
57-05-13
Denny Brauer
2006, Lake Champlain, N.Y.
56-10-18
Paul Elias
2008, Falcon Lake, Texas
54-10-02
Shaw Grigsby
2011, Harris Chain, Fla.
52-04-14
Tommy Biffle
2010, Fort Gibson Lake, Okla.
Dean Rojas (left) maintains
the current record for heaviest single-day catch of 45-2.
Casey Ashley (above) is the
youngest angler to win an
Elite Series event.
B.A.S.S. All-Time
Tournament Records
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
660 Southern Open
Oct 22-24
2015
Lake Seminole
GA
Brandon McMillan
659 Central Open
Oct 1-3
2015
Table Rock Lake
MO James Watson
Wt
49-05
46-04
658 Northern Open
Sept 24-26
2015
Lake Erie
OH
Whitney Stephens
65-01
657 AOY Championship
Sept 17-20
2015
Sturgeon Bay
WI
Chris Zaldain
53-04
656 Central Open
Sept 10-12
2015
Fort Gibson Lake
OK
James Elam
46-03
Aug 27-30
2015
Lake St. Clair
MI
Todd Faircloth
84-07
Aug 13-16
2015
Chesapeake Bay
MD Aaron Martens
70-02
653 Northern Open
Aug 6-8
2015
Oneida Lake
NY
49-02
Randy Howell
July 30-Aug 2
2015
St. Lawrence River
NY
Edwin Evers
77-10
651 Northern Open
July 9-11
2015
James River
VA
Chris Dillow
50-12
June 3-7
2015
Kentucky Lake
TN
Edwin Evers
97-04
May 7-10
2015
Lake Havasu
AZ
Aaron Martens
68-09
Apr 30-May3
2015
Sacramento River
CA
Justin Lucas
82-14
647 Southern Open
Apr 16-18
2015
Alabama River
AL
Dustin Connell
55-01
Apr 9-12
2015
Lake Guntersville
AL
Skeet Reese
92-11
Mar 19-22
2015
Sabine River System
TX
Chris Lane
50-00
644 Central Open
Mar 12-14
2015
Ross Barnett Reservoir
GA
Gene Bishop
55-14
643 Bassmaster Classic
Feb 20-22
2015
Lake Hartwell
SC
Casey Ashley
50-01
642 Southern Open
Jan 15-17
2015
Lake Toho
FL
Chad Morgenthaler
52-07
641 Southern Open
Oct 2-4
2014
Lake Norman
NC
Andy Montgomery
37-10
640 AOY Championship
Sep 18-22
2014
Bays de Noc
MI
Jacob Powroznik
47-06
639 Central Open
Sep 11-13
2014
Arkansas River
OK
Mark Tyler
42-14
638 Northern Open
Sep 4-6
2014
Lake St. Clair
MI
Chad Pipkens
67-04
Aug 21-24
2014
Cayuga Lake
NY
Greg Hackney
85-00
Aug 7-10
2014
Delaware River
NJ
Michael Iaconelli
47-14
635 Northern Open
Jul 31-Aug 2
2014
Lake Champlain
NY
Shinichi Fukae
56-13
Jun 11-15
2014
Chickamauga Lake
TN
Jacob Wheeler
90-06
633 Northern Open
May 29-31
2014
Douglas Lake
TN
Ott DeFoe
62-05
May 15-18
2014
Lake Dardanelle
AR
Jason Christie
72-03
May 1-4
2014
Toledo Bend Reservoir
LA
Jacob Powroznik
79-12
Stephen Browning
630 Northern Open
Apr 24-26
2014
Red River
LA
Apr 3-6
2014
Table Rock Lake
MO Mike McClelland
44-03
61-15
Mar 20-23
2014
St. Johns River
FL
Chris Lane
90-13
Mar 13-16
2014
Lake Seminole
GA
Brett Hite
97-10
626 Southern Open
Mar 6-8
2014
Smith Lake
AL
David Kilgore
54-11
Feb 21-23
2014
Lake Guntersville
AL
Randy Howell
67-08
624 Central Open
Feb 6-8
2014
Lake Amistad
TX
Andrew Young
39-06
623 Southern Open
Jan 23-24
2014
Lake Toho
FL
Van Soles
50-15
622 Bassmaster Wild Card
Dec 5-7
2013
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Chad Morgenthaler
63-13
621 Central Open
Oct 17-19
2013
MS
Randall Tharp
41-15
620 All-Star Final
Sept 27-29
2013
Muskegon Lake
MI
Hank Cherry
47-13
619 Central Open
Sept 19-21
2013
Arkansas River
OK
Chris Jones
40-01
618 Northern Open
Sept 12-14
2013
Lake Erie
OH
Michael Iaconelli
48-08
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
Aug 22-25
2013
Detroit River
MI
Chris Lane
82-04
Aug 8-11
2013
St. Lawrence River
NY
Brandon Palaniuk
88-12
615 Northern Open
Aug 1-3
2013
Oneida Lake
NY
Jim Bianchi
52-07
Jun 20-23
2013
Mississippi River
WI
Tommy Biffle
64-02
613 Northern Open
Jun 13-15
2013
James River
VA
Randy Howell
47-11
612 Southern Open
May 16-18
2013
Logan Martin Lake
AL
David Kilgore
46-08
May 9-12
2013
Alabama River
AL
Edwin Evers
75-13
May 2-5
2013
West Point Lake
GA
Skeet Reese
46-06
609 Central Open
Apr 25-27
2013
Red River
LA
Stephen Browning
40-10
Apr 18-21
2013
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
Jason Christie
56-08
607 Southern Open
Apr 4-6
2013
Douglas Lake
TN
Patrick Bone
65-04
Mar 21-24
2013
Falcon Lake
TX
Keith Combs
111-05
Mar 14-17
2013
Sabine River System
TX
Todd Faircloth
49-06
Feb 22-24
2013
Grand Lake
OK
Cliff Pace
54-12
603 Southern Open
Jan 31-Feb 2
2013
Lake Toho
FL
Richard Howes
47-02
38-13
602 Southern Open
Oct 4-6
2012
Smith Lake
AL
Hank Cherry
601 All Star Final
Sept 22-23
2012
Lake Decatur
IL
Aaron Martens
22-05
600 All Star Semifinal
Sept 20-21
2012
Lake Shelbyville
IL
Edwin Evers
23-01
599 Central Open
Sept 6-8
2012
Fort Gibson Lake
OK
Jason Christie
40-15
Aug 23-26
2012
Oneida Lake
NY
Boyd Duckett
62-06
597 Northern Open
Aug 16-18
2012
Cayuga Lake
NY
Pete Gluszek
56-01
596 Northern Open
Jul 19-21
2012
Detroit River
MI
Jason Christie
67-04
Jun 28-Jul 1
2012
Lake Michigan
WI
Jonathon VanDam
79-02
Jun 21-24
2012
Mississippi River
WI
Todd Faircloth
62-04
593 Northern Open
Jun 14-16
2012
James River
VA
Joshua Wagy
39-04
Jun 7-10
2012
Toldeo Bend Reservoir
LA
Brent Chapman
83-09
May 3-6
2012
Douglas Lake
TN
Jeremy Starks
81-02
590 Central Open
Apr 26-28
2012
Table Rock Lake
MO Casey Scanlon
49-04
Apr 19-22
2012
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
Brandon Palaniuk
78-06
588 Southern Open
Apr 5-7
2012
Lake Norman
NC
Tracy Adams
45-06
Mar 22-25
2012
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Ish Monroe
108-05
Mar 15-18
2012
St. Johns River
FL
Alton Jones
75-09
Feb 24-26
2012
Red River
LA
Chris Lane
51-06
584 Central Open
Feb 9-11
2012
Lewisville Lake
TX
Brent Chapman
20-09
Chris Lane
583 Southern Open
Jan 19-21
2012
Harris Chain
FL
582 Central Open
Oct 20-22
2011
Table Rock Lake
MO Kevin Short
33-08
72-11
51-02
581 Northern Open
Sept 22-24
2011
Oneida Lake
NY
Ish Monroe
580 Central Open
Sept 8-10
2011
Arkansas River
OK
Tommy Biffle
45-13
579 Northern Open
Aug 25-27
2011
Lake Erie
OH
Nate Wellman
63-11
578 All Star Final
Jul 29-31
2011
Alabama River
AL
Ott DeFoe
33-04
577 All Star Semifinal
Jul 23-24
2011
Lake Jordan
AL
Casey Ashley
25-08
576 Northern Open
Jul 7-9
2011
James River
VA
Kelly Pratt
42-06
Jun 16-19
2011
Wheeler Lake
AL
David Walker
63-10
Jun 9-12
2011
Arkansas River
AR
Denny Brauer
52-02
573 Southern Open
Jun 2-4
2011
Douglas Lake
TN
Bobby Ferguson
61-09
May 12-15
2011
Lake Murray
SC
Casey Ashley
61-03
May 5-8
2011
West Point Lake
GA
Steve Kennedy
64-14
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
Apr 14-17
2011
LA
Dean Rojas
Apr 6-9
2011
Pickwick Lake
AL
Davy Hite
70-15
84-09
568 Southern Open
Mar 24-26
2011
Lake Norman
NC
Fletcher Shyrock
49-09
Mar 17-20
2011
St. Johns River
FL
Edwin Evers
77-01
Mar 10-13
2011
Harris Chain
FL
Shaw Grigsby
75-04
565 Central Open
Feb 24-26
2011
Lewisville Lake
TX
Mark Tucker
45-15
Feb 18-20
2011
Louisiana Delta
LA
Kevin VanDam
69-11
563 Southern Open
Jan 20-22
2011
Lake Toho
FL
Gerald Swindle
80-13
562 Central Open
Oct 21-23
2010
Lake Texoma
TX
Mike Pharr
27-04
561 Southern Open
Oct 7-9
2010
Lake Seminole
GA
Trevor Fitzgerald
44-02
560 Northern Open
Sept 16-18
2010
Chesapeake Bay
MD Nate Wellman
53-01
559 Northern Open
Aug 19-20
2010
Detroit River
MI
61-00
Todd Schmidt
Jul 30-31
2010
Alabama River
AL
Kevin VanDam
26-00
Jul 24-25
2010
Lake Jordan
AL
Russ Lane
32-03
556 Northern Open
Jul 22-24
2010
Lake Champlain
NY
Dave Wolak
54-01
Jun 17-20
2010
Fort Gibson Lake
OK
Tommy Biffle
73-11
Jun 9-12
2010
Kentucky Lake
TN
Kevin VanDam
92-05
553 Central Open
Jun 3-5
2010
Red River
LA
Chad Brauer
56-14
May 20-23
2010
Clarks Hill
GA
Jason Williamson
53-06
551 Southern Open
May 13-15
2010
Smith Lake
AL
Andy Montgomery
34-09
May 6-9
2010
Lake Guntersville
AL
Skeet Reese
100-13
75-01
Apr 29 -May 2
2010
Pickwick Lake
AL
Kevin Short
Apr 15-18
2010
Smith Mountain Lake
VA
Skeet Reese
78-01
547 Central Open
Apr 08-10
2010
Lake Amistad
TX
Craig Schuff
68-09
Mar 18-21
2010
Clear Lake
CA
Byron Velvick
98-06
Mar 11-14
2010
California Delta
CA
John Crews
72-06
Feb 19-21
2010
Lay Lake
AL
Kevin VanDam
51-06
543 Southern Open
Jan 14-16
2010
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Chris Lane
41-02
542 Central Open
Nov 5-7
2009
Atchafalaya River Basin
LA
Edwin Evers
35-09
541 Southern Open
Oct 22-24
2009
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Allan Glasgow
38-06
540 Northern Open
Sept 24-26
2009
Lake Erie
OH
Jonathon VanDam
44-14
Sept 17-18
2009
Alabama River
AL
Kevin VanDam
30-06
Sept 12-13
2009
Lake Jordan
AL
Michael Iaconelli
28-15
537 Central Open
Sept 3-5
2009
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
TX
Stephen Johnston
57-05
536 Northern Open
Aug 20-22
2009
Lake Champlain
NY
Jason Knapp
56-03
Aug 13-16
2009
Oneida Lake
NY
Chad Griffin
65-10
Jun 11-14
2009
Mississippi River
IA
Kevin Short
43-03
Jun 3-6
2009
Kentucky Lake
TN
Bobby Lane
97-09
May 7-10
2009
Lake Guntersville
AL
Aaron Martens
107-08
531 Southern Open
Apr 30-May 2
2009
Lake Wheeler
AL
Chris Payne
45-08
Apr 23-26
2009
Smith Mountain Lake
VA
Kevin VanDam
61-13
529 Northern Open
Apr 16-18
2009
Chesapeake Bay
MD Dave Mansue
47-06
Apr 2-5
2009
Wheeler Lake
AL
50-13
Tommy Biffle
Mar 26-29
2009
Lake Dardanelle
AR
Mark Menendez
55-07
Mar 12-15
2009
Lake Amistad
TX
Jason Williamson
96-06
525 Central Open
Mar 5-7
2009
LA
James Niggemeyer
37-14
Feb 20-22
2009
Red River
LA
Skeet Reese
54-13
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
523 Southern Open
Jan 29-31
2009
Harris Chain Of Lakes
FL
Bryan Hudgins
522 Central Open
Oct 30-Nov 1
2008
Lake Texoma
TX
Terry Butcher
68-06
46-08
521 Southern Open
Oct 16-18
2008
Lake Guntersville
AL
Randall Tharp
66-12
520 Central Open
Sept 25-27
2008
Kentucky Lake
TN
Aaron Johnson
47-14
Aug 7-10
2008
Oneida Lake
NY
Dean Rojas
65-02
Jul 31-Aug 3
2008
L. Erie/Niagara R.Tributaries
NY
Kotaro Kiriyama
93-06
Jun 26-29
2008
Old Hickory Lake
TN
Kevin Wirth
55-10
Jun 12-15
2008
Kentucky Lake
TN
Kevin VanDam
84-13
Jun 5-8
2008
Wheeler Lake
AL
Jeremy Starks
78-10
May 15-18
2008
Lake Murray
SC
Fred Roumbanis
66-13
44-10
513 Southern Open
May 8-10
2008
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Randall Tharp
May 1-4
2008
Clarks Hill Lake
GA
Kenyon Hill
68-00
511 Central Open
Apr 24-26
2008
Red River
LA
Billy McCaghren
54-00
Apr 11-13
2008
Lake Amistad
TX
Todd Faircloth
76-15
Apr 3-6
2008
Falcon Lake
TX
Paul Elias
132-08
Mar 13-16
2008
Kissimmee Chain
FL
Kevin VanDam
59-07
Mar 6-9
2008
FL
Mike McClelland
59-02
Feb 22-24
2008
Lake Hartwell
SC
Alton Jones
49-07
505 Southern Open
Jan 17-19
2008
St. Johns River
FL
Peter Thliveros
55-03
40-08
504 Wild Card Qualifier
Nov 29-Dec 1
2007
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Byron Velvick
503 Southern Open
Oct 18-20
2007
Wheeler Lake
AL
Frank Ippoliti
38-01
502 Central Open
Sept 27-29
2007
Lake Amistad
TX
Trent Huckaby
53-12
Sept 13-16
2007
Lake Tohopekaliga
FL
Ben Matsubu
66-08
500 Bassmaster Legends Major
Aug 23-26
2007
Lake Dardanelle
AR
Boyd Duckett
55-09
Aug 9-12
2007
Potomac River
MD Skeet Reese
66-00
498 Bassmaster Memorial Major
Jul 26-29
2007
Oneida Lake
NY
Peter Thliveros
68-07
65-07
Jul 19-22
2007
L. Erie/Niagara R. Tributaries NY
Edwin Evers
Jul 12-15
2007
Lake Champlain
NY
Timmy Horton
83-10
Jun 21-24
2007
Grand Lake
OK
Kevin VanDam
78-02
494 Central Open
Jun 14-16
2007
Red River
LA
Danny Smith
42-06
Jun 7-10
2007
Smith Mountain Lake
VA
Casey Ashley
57-03
492 Bassmaster American Major
May 17-20
2007
High Rock Lake
NC
Fred Roumbanis
50-02
491 Southern Open
May 3-5
2007
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Terry Scroggins
50-11
Apr 27-29
2007
Lake Guntersville
AL
Kevin VanDam
66-03
Apr 19-22
2007
Clarks Hill Lake
GA
Mike McClelland
70-07
Mar 29-Apr 1
2007
Clear Lake
CA
Steve Kennedy
122-14
Mar 22-25
2007
California Delta
CA
Aaron Martens
85-12
486 Central Open
Mar 15-17
2007
Lake Texoma
TX
Brian Clark
40-03
111-07
Mar 8-11
2007
Lake Amistad
TX
Derek Remitz
484 Southern Open
Mar 1-03
2007
Kissimmee Chain
FL
Terry Scroggins
53-10
Feb 23-25
2007
Lay Lake
AL
Boyd Duckett
48-10
482 Wild Card Qualifier
Nov 16-18
2006
FL
Ben Matsubu
40-15
481 Northern Open
Oct 26-28
2006
Smith Mountain Lake
VA
Robert Hoyt Jr.
36-14
480 Northern Open
Oct 5-7
2006
Lake Erie/Sandusky Bay
OH
Joe Balog
41-00
Sept 14-17
2006
Table Rock Lake
MO Todd Faircloth
50-09
478 Southern Open
Sept 7-9
2006
Lake Lanier
GA
Ryan Coleman
36-10
477 Bassmaster Legends Major
Aug 24-27
2006
Arkansas River
AR
Scott Rook
34-09
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Rodney Sorrell
Wt
476 Northern Open
Aug 17-19
2006
Lake Champlain
NY
475 Capitol Clash
Aug 10-13
2006
Potomac River
MD Kelly Jordon
53-02
60-09
474 Bassmaster American Major
Jul 27-30
2006
Lake Wylie
NC
Dave Wolak
46-01
473 Northern Open
Jul 20-22
2006
Mississippi River
IA
Darrin Schwenkbeck 42-12
472 Champions Choice
Jul 13-16
2006
Lake Champlain
NY
Denny Brauer
80-03
Jul 6-9
2006
Lake Oneida
NY
Tommy Biffle
63-10
470 Northern Open
Jun 22-24
2006
Kentucky Lake
TN
Jason Sain
49-09
Jun 15-18
2006
Kentucky Lake
TN
Morizo Shimizu
66-09
Jun 1-4
2006
Grand Lake
OK
Mike McClelland
79-07
467 Bassmaster Memorial Major
May 18-21
2006
Eagle Mountain Lake
TX
Peter Thliveros
47-07
466 Southern Open
May 11-13
2006
Lake Eufaula
AL
Ryan Ingram
41-08
May 4-7
2006
Clarks Hill Reservoir
GA
Davy Hite
71-12
Apr 20-23
2006
Lake Guntersville
AL
Michael Iaconelli
71-13
463 Southern Open
Apr 6-8
2006
Santee Cooper
SC
James Niggemeyer
64-05
Mar 30-Apr 2
2006
Santee Cooper Reservoir
SC
Preston Clark
115-15
461 Lone Star Shootout
Mar 16-19
2006
Lake Sam Rayburn
TX
Greg Hackney
79-10
Mar 9-12
2006
Lake Amistad
TX
Ish Monroe
104-08
459 Southern Open
Mar 2-4
2006
TX
Eric Nethery
67-14
Feb 24-26
2006
Lake Toho
FL
Luke Clausen
56-02
457 Southern Open
Jan 26-28
2006
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Chris Lane
54-12
456 Open Championship
Dec 1-4
2005
Alabama River
AL
Mike McClelland
46-09
455 Southern Open
Nov 17-19
2005
Toho/Kissimmee
FL
Terry Scroggins
39-09
31-06
454 Western Open
Nov 17-19
2005
Lake Shasta
CA
Howard Hughes
453 Central Open
Nov 10-12
2005
Red River
LA
Sean Hoernke
36-02
452 Central Open
Oct 13-15
2005
Lake Norfork
AR
Takahiro Omori
27-05
451 Western Open
Oct 13-15
2005
Clear Lake
CA
Jared Lintner
49-15
450 Southern Open
Sept 22-24
2005
Lake Guntersville
AL
Andy Morgan
56-06
44-14
449 Northern Open
Sept 15-17
2005
Oneida Lake
NY
Joey Rodrigues
448 Northern Open
Aug 11-13
2005
Lake Champlain
NY
Joe Lucarelli
56-07
Jul 29-31
2005
Three Rivers
PA
Kevin VanDam
15-12
446 Northern Open
Jul 14-16
2005
Sandusky Bay/Lake Erie
OH
Paul Hirosky
55-06
445 Southern Open
Jun 23-25
2005
West Point Lake
GA
Mark Menendez
36-14
444 Wisconsin Bassmaster Elite 50
Jun 15-18
2005
Lake Wissota
WI
Kevin VanDam
24-00
443 Texas Bassmaster Elite 50
Jun 1-4
2005
Lewisville Lake
TX
Kevin VanDam
58-12
442 Western Open
May 26-28
2005
California Delta
CA
Russ Meyer
56-12
441 Arkansas Bassmaster Elite 50 May 18-21
2005
Lake Dardanelle
AR
Davy Hite
58-09
440 Central Open
May 5-7
2005
TX
Terry Butcher
47-01
439 Ala. Bassmaster Elite 50
Apr 20-23
2005
Smith Lake
AL
Mark Davis
438 Missouri Bassmaster Tour
Mar 31-Apr 3
2005
Table Rock Lake
MO Greg Hackney
57-09
437 N.C. Bassmaster Tour
Mar 17-20
2005
Lake Norman
NC
Edwin Evers
46-06
2005
Clarks Hill/
Strom Thurmond Res.
GA
Mike Reynolds
52-11
436 Georgia Bassmaster Tour
Mar 3-6
53-11
435 Alabama Bassmaster Tour
Feb 24-27
2005
Lake Guntersville
AL
Zell Rowland
87-00
434 Florida Bassmaster Tour
Feb 3-6
2005
FL
Peter Thliveros
69-05
Jan 27-30
2005
Toho/Kissimmee
FL
Takahiro Omori
50-11
432 Bassmaster Open Championship Dec 2-5
2004
Ouachita River
LA
Bradley Stringer
45-15
431 Florida Bassmaster Open
2004
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Timmy Horton
65-14
Nov 18-20
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
430 California Bassmaster Open
Nov 18-20
2004
Clear Lake
CA
Zachary Thompson
429 Alabama Bassmaster Open
Oct 28-30
2004
Lake Eufaula
AL
Pete Ponds
48-14
41-07
428 Louisiana Bassmaster Open
Oct 21-23
2004
LA
Cliff Pace
29-02
427 California Bassmaster Open
Oct 21-23
2004
Lake Shasta
CA
Greg Gutierrez
32-14
426 Virginia Bassmaster Open
Oct 14-16
2004
Smith Mountain Lake
VA
David Dudley
33-14
425 Miss. Bassmaster Open
Oct 14-16
2004
Tenn-Tom Waterway
MS
Paul Elias
34-03
424 Texas Bassmaster Open
Sept 16-18
2004
TX
Edwin Evers
52-07
423 New York Bassmaster Open
Aug 12-14
2004
Hudson River
NY
Woo Daves
31-10
422 Kentucky Bassmaster Open
Aug 12-14
2004
Cumberland & Tennessee
Rivers
OH
Matt Reed
30-06
Jul 30-Aug 1
2004
Lake Wylie
NC
Takahiro Omori
39-02
NY
Frank Scalish
55-04
OH
Alton Jones
43-04
43-10
420 New York Bassmaster Open
Jun 24-26
2004
Lake Erie/Niagara R.
Tributaries
419 Ky. Bassmaster Elite 50
Jun 16-19
2004
Cumberland & Tennessee
Rivers
418 Ala. Bassmaster Elite 50
Jun 2-5
2004
Alabama River
AL
Mark Davis
417 Bassmaster Western Open
May 27-29
2004
California Delta
CA
Clint Johanson
50-01
416 Miss. Bassmaster Elite 50
May 19-22
2004
Tenn-Tom Waterway
MS
Mark Davis
62-04
56-13
415 Ark. Bassmaster Elite 50
Apr 14-17
2004
Lake Dardanelle
AR
Randy Howell
414 S.C. Bassmaster Tour
Mar 25-28
2004
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Kelly Jordon
93-13
Mar 18-21
2004
Lake Eufaula
AL
Denny Brauer
76-14
412 Missouri Bassmaster Tour
Mar 4-7
2004
Table Rock Lake
MO Mark Davis
67-02
Feb 26-29
2004
Lake Guntersville
AL
99-10
George Cochran
Feb 5-8
2004
Smith Lake
AL
Charlie Weyer
32-10
Jan 29-Feb 01
2004
FL
Marty Stone
61-12
408 Open Championship
Dec 4-7
2003
LA
John Murray
64-09
407 Arizona Western Open
Nov 20-22
2003
Lake Havasu
AZ
Jack Gadlage
22-10
406 Louisiana Central Open
Nov 13-15
2003
Ouachita River
LA
Harold Allen
38-04
405 Alabama Southern Open
Nov 6-8
2003
Lake Eufaula
AL
Shane Voyles
36-05
404 California Western Open
Oct 23-25
2003
Clear Lake
CA
Mark Tyler
48-14
403 Florida Southern Open
Oct 16-18
2003
Lake Okeechobee
FL
J.T. Kenney
61-12
402 Texas Central Open
Oct 9-11
2003
TX
Cliff Pace
46-01
401 New York Northern Open
Oct 2-4
2003
Oneida Lake
NY
Art Ferguson
32-09
400 Alabama Southern Open
Sept 25-27
2003
Lake Wheeler
AL
Denny Brauer
32-10
399 Washington Western Open
Sept 18-20
2003
Columbia River
WA Chris Lambert
42-09
398 New York Northern Open
Sept 11-13
2003
Lake Erie
OH
53-02
Mike Desforges
397 Mississippi Central
Aug 21-23
2003
Tenn-Tom Waterway
MS
Kevin Short
39-04
Aug 1-3
2003
Louisiana Delta
LA
Michael Iaconelli
37-14
395 Maryland Northern Open
Jul 17-19
2003
Potomac River
MD Ernie Freeman
394 Alabama Showdown
May 22-25
2003
Alabama River
AL
Kenyon Hill
52-13
51-06
393 Arkansas Tour
May 1-4
2003
Lake Hamilton
AR
Ron Shuffield
44-12
392 California Tour
Apr 10-13
2003
California Delta
CA
Robert Lee
86-08
391 California Showdown
Apr 3-6
2003
Clear Lake
CA
Alton Jones
49-11
390 South Carolina Tour
Mar 20-23
2003
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Zell Rowland
98-09
389 Alabama Tour
Mar 6-9
2003
Lake Eufaula
AL
Edwin Evers
73-05
388 Louisiana Showdown
Feb 20-23
2003
LA
David Wharton
62-01
387 Georgia Tour
Feb 6-9
2003
Lake Seminole
GA
Gary Klein
69-15
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
386 Florida Tour
Jan 16-19
2003
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Terry Scroggins
62-02
385 Florida Showdown
Jan 9-12
2003
HarrIs Chain Of Lakes
FL
Skeet Reese
36-12
384 Alabama Southern
Nov 21-23
2002
Lake Martin
AL
Coby Carden
36-07
383 Texas Central
Oct 31-Nov 2
2002
TX
Rick Clunn
43-06
382 Alabama Southern
Oct 24-26
2002
Pickwick & Wilson Lakes
AL
Boyd Duckett
33-08
381 New York Northern
Oct 3-5
2002
Hudson River
NY
Woo Daves
32-05
380 Arkansas Central
Sept 26-28
2002
Lake Ouachita
AR
Greg Hackney
28-01
379 S Carolina Southern
Sept 19-21
2002
Lake Murray
SC
Dan Welch
33-02
378 New York Northern
Sept 12-14
2002
St. Lawrence River
NY
Koby Kreiger
52-00
377 Louisiana Central
Aug 22-24
2002
Red River
LA
Homer Humphreys
376 Maryland Northern
Aug 8-10
2002
Potomac River
MD David Hall
42-03
42-06
Jul 25-27
2002
Lay Lake
AL
Jay Yelas
45-13
374 Alabama Tour
May 8-11
2002
Lake Eufaula
AL
Denny Brauer
55-13
373 Maryland Eastern Open
Apr 25-27
2002
Potomac River
MD Chad Baker
45-12
Apr 25-27
2002
Clear Lake
CA
67-15
371 Alabama Tour
Apr 10-13
2002
Lake Guntersville
AL
Kelly Jordon
83-11
370 Louisiana Central Open
Mar 21-23
2002
LA
Stacey King
63-03
Aaron Martens
369 Nevada Western Open
Mar 14-16
2002
Lake Mead
NV
Rob Vanderkooi
29-14
368 Alabama Eastern Open
Mar 7-9
2002
Lake Martin
AL
Danny Correia
29-15
367 Texas Central Open
Feb 21-23
2002
TX
Jason Barber
46-10
366 Georgia Tour
Feb 6-9
2002
Lake Seminole
GA
Michael Iaconelli
55-02
61-04
365 Florida Tour
Dec 12-15
2001
Lake Toho
FL
Timmy Horton
364 Florida Eastern Open
Dec 6-8
2001
St. Johns River
FL
Terry Scroggins
40-15
Nov 15-17
2001
Lake Oroville
CA
Gene Batey
26-02
362 Missouri Central Open
Nov 8-10
2001
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Jackie Davis
361 Louisiana Tour
Oct 31-Nov 3
2001
Red River
LA
Davy Hite
26-00
41-08
360 Oklahoma Central Open
Oct 11-13
2001
Lake Ft. Gibson
OK
Homer Humphreys
22-03
359 Washington Western Open
Oct 11-13
2001
Columbia River
WA Michael Gibney
44-01
358 Michigan Tour
Aug 22-25
2001
Lake St. Clair
MI
68-01
Davy Hite
Aug 2-4
2001
Louisiana Delta
LA
Kevin VanDam
32-05
356 Bassmaster Megabucks
May 8-13
2001
Douglas Lake
TN
Rick Clunn
53-12
355 Missouri Invitational
Apr 19-21
2001
Table Rock Lake
MO Jay Yelas
43-13
354 California Invitational
Apr 19-21
2001
California Delta
CA
Robert Lee
71-02
353 Alabama Top 150
Mar 28-31
2001
Lake Wheeler
AL
Kelly Jordon
59-01
352 Alabama Invitational
Mar 15-17
2001
AL
Leon Tidwell
55-02
351 Nevada Invitational
Mar 15-17
2001
Lake Mead
NV
Jack Gadlage
43-12
350 Texas Invitational
Mar 1-3
2001
TX
Takahiro Omori
55-12
349 Louisiana Top 150
Feb 21-24
2001
LA
Dean Rojas
55-08
348 Florida Top 150
Jan 17-20
2001
Lake Toho
FL
Dean Rojas
108-12
347 Florida Invitational
Jan 11-13
2001
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Gregory Maclean
44-04
Dec 7-9
2000
Lake Martin
AL
Jimmy Millsaps
24-00
Nov 9-11
2000
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Curt Lytle
42-15
Nov 2-4
2000
Lake Shasta
CA
32-05
Aaron Martens
343 Alabama Top 150
Oct 18-21
2000
Mobile Delta
AL
Randy Blaukat
35-04
342 Louisiana Invitational
Oct 12-14
2000
Red River
LA
OT Fears
31-15
341 Washington Invitational
Oct 5-7
2000
Columbia River
WA Ron Wiseman
46-00
340 Louisiana Top 150
Sept 20-23
2000
Louisiana Delta
LA
43-09
Chet Douthit
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Cary Bever
Wt
339 Tennessee Invitational
Sept 14-16
2000
Old Hickory Lake
TN
338 Maryland Top 150
Aug 23-26
2000
Potomac River
MD Carl Maxfield
64-03
Jul 20-22
2000
Lake Michigan
IL
27-13
Woo Daves
24-07
336 Louisiana Invitational
May 18-20
2000
Red RIver
LA
Brent Chapman
50-03
335 Alabama Top 150
May 10-13
2000
Lake Wheeler
AL
Art Ferguson
53-05
Byron Velvick
Apr 13-15
2000
Clear Lake
CA
Apr 6-8
2000
Table Rock Lake
MO Jim Dopp
83-05
39-05
332 Bassmaster Megabucks
Mar 21-26
2000
Lake Murray
SC
Alton Jones
84-14
Mar 9-11
2000
AL
Shane Meers
36-03
330 Arizona Invitational
Mar 9-11
2000
Lake Powell
AZ
Skeet Reese
25-08
329 Georgia Top 150
Feb 23-26
2000
Lake Seminole
GA
Shaw Grigsby
73-14
54-12
328 Texas Invitational
Feb 10-12
2000
TX
Bud Pruitt
327 Florida Invitational
Jan 20-22
2000
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Randy Yager
37-11
326 Florida Top 150
Jan 12-15
2000
Lake Toho
FL
Shaw Grigsby
53-11
Dec 2-4
2000
Lake Martin
AL
Rufus Johnson
28-14
Nov 11-13
1999
Lake Oroville
CA
Aaron Martens
32-12
Nov 4-6
1999
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Randy Jackson
34-13
322 Maryland Top 150
Oct 13-16
1999
Potomac River
MD Timmy Horton
77-08
321 New Mexico Invitational
Sept 30-Oct 2
1999
Elephant Butte Reservoir
NM Art Berry
26-06
320 New York Invitational
Sept 23-25
1999
St. Lawrence River
NY
Kevin VanDam
51-04
319 Vermont Top 150
Sept 15-18
1999
Lake Champlain
NY
Michael Iaconelli
61-03
318
Michigan Top 150
Aug 25-28
1999
Lake St. Clair
MI
Larry Nixon
73-09
317
Bassmaster Classic
Jul 29-31
1999
Louisiana Delta
LA
Davy Hite
55-10
316
Bassmaster Megabucks
May 11-16
1999
Old Hickory Lake
TN
Ron Shuffield
39-14
315
Oklahoma Invitational
Apr 29-May 1
1999
Lake Eufaula
AL
Leo Osborne
50-00
314
California Invitational
Apr 15-17
1999
California Delta
CA
Robert Lee
78-03
313
Nevada Top 150
Apr 7-10
1999
Lake Mead
NV
Zell Rowland
312
Missouri Invitational
Mar 25-27
1999
Table Rock Lake
MO Wayne Crumpton
58-13
36-04
311
Arizona Invitational
Mar 18-20
1999
Lake Powell
AZ
Buck Bauernfeind
37-14
310
Alabama Top 150
Mar 3-06
1999
Lake Wheeler
AL
Marty Stone
41-06
309
Texas Invitational
Feb 18-20
1999
TX
Kevin VanDam
48-12
308
Alabama Invitational
Feb 11-13
1999
Lake Martin
AL
Pete Gluszek
41-11
307
Florida Invitational
Jan 21-23
1999
St. Johns River
FL
Shaw Grigsby
39-01
306
Florida Top 150
Jan 13-16
1999
Lake Toho
FL
Danny Kirk
41-00
305
Dec 3-5
1998
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Buck Durrance
55-10
304
Nov 19-21
1998
Lake Shasta
CA
Gary Dobyns
27-02
303
Nov 5-7
1998
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Dan Morehead
302
Alabama Top 150
Oct 21-24
1998
Logan Martin Lake
AL
Stephen Browning
55-01
301
Louisiana Top 150
Oct 14-17
1998
Louisiana Delta
LA
Kenyon Hill
61-05
300
Virginia Invitational
Oct 1-3
1998
Buggs Island Reservoir
VA
George Cochran
41-06
299
Washington Invitational
Oct 1-3
1998
Columbia River
WA Levell Sneed
40-13
298
Maryland Top 150
Aug 26-29
1998
Potomac River
MD Denny Brauer
58-11
297
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 6-8
1998
High Rock Lake
NC
Denny Brauer
46-03
296
Georgia Invitational
May 14-16
1998
Lake Hartwell
SC
Tony Couch
42-13
295
Apr 27-May 3
1998
Old Hickory Lake
TN
Doug Garrett
69-12
294
North Carolina Top 100
Apr 16-18
1998
Neuse And Trent Rivers
NC
Denny Brauer
38-08
293
Georgia Top 100
Apr 9-11
1998
Richard B. Russell Lake
GA
Denny Brauer
53-04
60-10
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
292
New Mexico Invitational
Apr 2-4
1998
Elephant Butte Reservoir
NM Dennis Hoy
28-03
291
Alabama Top 100
Mar 19-21
1998
AL
Mark Menendez
60-03
290
Mar 12-14
1998
Lake Texoma
TX
Jeff Kriet
36-15
289
South Carolina Invitational
Feb 19-21
1998
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Scott Martin
39-02
288
Mississippi Invitational
Feb 12-14
1998
MS
Peter Daniels
25-11
287
Jan 15-17
1998
Lake Havasu
NV
Mike Baldwin
22-11
286
Texas Invitational
Dec 4-6
1997
TX
Mike Metzler
48-04
William Siemantel
44-14
285
Nov 20-22
1997
Lake Powell
AZ
284
Nov 13-15
1997
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Jay Yelas
41-04
283
Oct 23-25
1997
VA
Kevin VanDam
41-15
282
Virginia Top 100
Oct 16-18
1997
Lake Gaston
VA
Peter Thliveros
39-01
281
Oct 2-4
1997
California Delta
CA
Robert Lee
51-00
280
New York Invitational
Sept 18-20
1997
St. Lawrence River
NY
Rick Lillegard
45-00
279
Vermont Top 100
Sept 11-13
1997
Lake Champlain
NY
Roland Martin
56-15
278
Maryland Top 100
Aug 21-23
1997
Potomac River
MD Kevin VanDam
51-05
277
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 7-9
1997
Logan Martin Lake
AL
Dion Hibdon
34-13
276
Alabama Top 100
May 15-17
1997
Lake Neely Henry
AL
Alton Jones
43-11
275
May 8-10
1997
Lake Guntersville
AL
Chris Baumgardner
52-06
274
Apr 24-26
1997
Table Rock Lake
MO Lee Bailey
47-15
273
Apr 10-12
1997
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Julian Reitzel
61-13
272
Megabucks
Mar 17-23
1997
Richland Chambers Res.
VA
Doug Garrett
83-01
271
Georgia Top 100
Mar 6-8
1997
Lake Sinclair
GA
Shaw Grigsby
35-15
270
Texas Invitational
Feb 20-22
1997
TX
Lonnie Stanley
51-02
269
Dec 5-7
1996
MS
Mike McClelland
22-04
268
Nov 21-23
1996
Lake Hartwell
SC
Larry Laymon
50-06
267
Georgia Top 100
Nov 14-16
1996
Richard B. Russell Lake
GA
Mike Wurm
31-03
266
Arkansas Invitational
Oct 24-26
1996
Arkansas River
AR
Mike McClelland
25-02
265
Tennessee Top 100
Oct 17-19
1996
Old Hickory Lake
TN
Chad Brauer
47-07
264
Maryland Top 100
Sept 26-28
1996
Potomac River
MD Dan Morehead
54-11
263
Sept 19-21
1996
Lake Gaston
VA
37-02
262
Minnesota Top 100
Aug 22-24
1996
Lake Minnetonka
MN David Fritts
54-14
261
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 8-10
1996
Lay Lake
AL
George Cochran
31-14
260
May 16-18
1996
Lake Eufaula
AL
Robert Padgett
77-09
259
Ala. Top 100 Divisional
May 8-11
1996
Lake Neely Henry
AL
Davy Hite
55-00
258
Apr 25-27
1996
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Takahiro Omori
47-01
257
Apr 4-6
1996
Table Rock Lake
MO Gary Klein
41-01
256
S.C. Top 100 Divisional
Mar 20-23
1996
Lake Murray
SC
Stacey King
45-06
255
Bassmaster Megabucks Div.
Mar 4-10
1996
Richland Chambers Res.
TX
Jeff Magee
58-06
254
Texas Invitational
Feb 15-17
1996
TX
Bud Pruitt
53-03
253
Georgia Top 100 Divisonal
Dec 6-9
1995
Lake Seminole
GA
Ray Sedgwick
32-06
252
Nov 30-Dec 2
1995
Lake Lanier
GA
OT Fears
35-11
42-07
David Ashcraft
251
Nov 2-4
1995
Arkansas River
AR
Ron Shuffield
250
Virginia Top 100 Divisional
Oct 18-21
1995
James River
VA
David Dudley
44-09
249
Maryland Invitational
Oct 12-14
1995
Potomac River
MD Rick Lillegard
52-12
248
N.Y. Top 100 Divisional
Sept 20-23
1995
Hudson River
NY
Jim Bitter
43-11
247
Sept 14-16
1995
St. Lawrence River
NY
Kevin VanDam
41-14
246
Minn. Top 100 Divisional
Aug 23-26
1995
Lake Minnetonka
MN Jim Bitter
79-03
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
245
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 3-5
1995
High Rock Lake
NC
Mark Davis
47-14
244
Bassmaster Superstars
Jun 8-10
1995
Illinois River
IL
Jay Yelas
30-04
243
Illinois Top 100 Divisional
May 17-20
1995
Mississippi River
IL
Tommy Biffle
48-08
242
May 11-13
1995
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO George Cochran
46-01
241
Apr 27-29
1995
VA
Tom Burns
44-01
52-06
240
Apr 6-8
1995
Grand Lake
OK
Tommy Martin
239
Mar 20-25
1995
Lake Murray
SC
Claude Fishburne
93-04
238
Mar 8-11
1995
Lake Wheeler
AL
Bud Pruitt
63-01
59-02
237
Ga. Top 100 Divisional
Feb 22-25
1995
Lake Seminole
GA
Claude Fishburne
236
Texas Invitational
Feb 16-18
1995
TX
Jim Bitter
45-06
235
Dec 1-3
1995
Lake Lanier
GA
Mickey Bruce
30-01
234
Texas Invitational
Nov 3-5
1994
Lake Livingston
TX
Rick Clunn
37-15
233
N.C. Top 100 Divisional
Oct 19-22
1994
Lake Norman
NC
Peter Thliveros
23-04
232
Oct 13-15
1994
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Kevin Wirth
39-15
231
Conn. Top 100 Divisional
Sept 21-24
1994
Connecticut River
CT
Roland Martin
49-11
230
Sept 15-17
1994
Potomac River
MD Larry Lazoen
45-15
229
Bassmaster Top 100
Aug 24-27
1994
Lake St. Clair
GA
61-15
Kim Stricker
228
Bassmaster Classic
Jul 28-30
1994
High Rock Lake
NC
Bryan Kerchal
36-07
227
Jun 9-11
1994
Illinois River
IL
O.T. Fears
31-09
226
May 11-14
1994
Lake Norman
NC
Mike Bingham
39-05
225
May 4-6
1994
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
O.T. Fears
224
Apr 13-15
1994
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Allen Armour
34-07
91-03
77-04
223
Ga. Top 100 Divisional
Mar 23-26
1994
Lake Seminole
GA
David Fritts
222
Mar 16-18
1994
Lake Eufaula
AL
Davy Hite
67-05
221
Texas Invitational
Feb 23-25
1994
TX
Guy Eaker
49-00
220
Dec 1-4
1993
Lake Martin
AL
Mike Terry
50-09
219
Nov 10-12
1993
Lake Texoma
TX
George Cochran
25-09
218
Oct 11-16
1993
Lake Murray
SC
Tommy Biffle
73-12
217
Md. Top 100 Divisional
Sept 22-25
1993
Potomac River
MD Jay Yelas
54-11
216
Sept 15-17
1993
VA
David Fritts
44-14
215
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 12-14
1993
Logan Martin Lake
AL
David Fritts
48-06
214
Jun 10-12
1993
Illinois River
IL
Denny Brauer
28-14
213
S.C. Top 100 Divisonal
May 12-15
1993
Lake Murray
SC
David Wharton
87-09
212
May 5-7
1993
VA
Denny Brauer
48-04
211
Kentucky Invitational
Apr 7-9
1993
Kentucky Lake
TN
Norio Tanabe
43-06
210
Texas Invitational
Mar 17-19
1993
TX
Randy Dearman
67-13
209
Georgia Top 100 Divisional
Feb 24-27
1993
Lake Seminole
GA
Shaw Grigsby
64-13
208
Feb 17-19
1993
Lake Eufaula
AL
Gary Klein
38-14
207
Georgia Top 100 Divisional
Dec 2-5
1992
Lake Lanier
GA
Tom Mann Jr.
52-09
206
Nov 4-6
1992
Grand Lake
OK
Jim Morton
43-15
205
Oct 12-17
1992
Lake Guntersville
AL
Denny Brauer
79-11
204
Maryland Top 100 Div.
Sept 23-26
1992
Potomac River
MD Jim Bitter
203
Sept 16-18
1992
St. Lawrence River
NY
Rick Clunn
68-15
44-02
202
Bassmaster Classic
Jul 30-Aug 1
1992
Logan Martin Lake
AL
Robert Hamilton Jr.
59-06
201
25th Anniversary Tourn.
Jun 10-12
1992
Beaver Lake
AR
Larry Nixon
36-08
200
May 13-16
1992
Lake Norman
NC
Stanley Mitchell
46-00
199
May 6-8
1992
VA
Jack Hains
57-04
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
198
Apr 15-17
1992
Lake Guntersville
AL
George Cochran
55-01
197
Texas Invitational
Mar 18-20
1992
TX
Shaw Grigsby
62-08
196
Florida Top 100 Divisional
Feb 19-22
1992
St. Johns River
FL
Peter Thliveros
69-07
195
Jan 22-24
1992
FL
Mike Folkestad
14-10
194
Top 100 Divisional
Dec 4-7
1991
Lake Lanier
GA
Kevin VanDam
61-13
193
Nov 6-8
1991
Grand Lake
OK
Ron Shuffield
49-01
192
Top 100 Divisional
Oct 16-19
1991
Lake Murray
SC
David Wharton
48-12
191
Oct 7-12
1991
Lake Chickamauga
TN
Larry Nixon
50-00
190
Illinois Invitational
Sept 18-20
1991
Illinois & Miss. Rivers
IL
Woo Daves
18-13
189
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 22-24
1991
Chesapeake Bay
MD Ken Cook
33-02
188
Top 100 Divisional
May 8-11
1991
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
57-08
187
May 1-3
1991
Truman Reservoir
MO Rick Clunn
55-03
186
Apr 10-12
1991
Lake Guntersville
AL
Zell Rowland
55-10
86-00
Ron Shuffield
185
Top 100 Divisional
Mar 13-16
1991
TX
Jim Nolan
184
Feb 20-22
1991
St. Johns River
FL
Guido Hibdon
43-00
183
Jan 16-18
1991
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Roland Martin
37-05
182
Alabama Top 100
Dec 5-8
1990
Lake Martin
AL
Charlie Ingram
50-07
181
Nov 5-10
1990
Lake Guntersville
AL
Larry Nixon
92-02
180
Virginia Top 100
Oct 17-20
1990
VA
David Fritts
40-03
179
Oct 10-12
1990
Potomac River
MD Don Leach
37-01
178
Sept 12-14
1990
St. Lawrence River
NY
Kenneth Pine
45-12
177
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 23-25
1990
James River
VA
Rick Clunn
34-05
176
Tennessee Top 100
May 9-12
1990
Lake Chickamauga
TN
Denny Brauer
72-11
175
May 2-04
1990
Lake Guntersville
AL
Edward Gettys
71-00
174
ArIzona Invitational
Apr 11-13
1990
Lake Powell
AZ
Fred Ward
37-06
173
Texas Invitational
Mar 14-16
1990
TX
Shaw Grigsby
47-13
172
Feb 12-17
1990
FL
Larry Nixon
84-05
171
Jan 24-26
1990
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Gary Klein
53-05
170
Alabama Top 100 Pro
Dec 6-9
1989
Lake Martin
AL
Robert Tucker
53-11
169
Nov 15-17
1989
Lake Havasu
AZ
Ted Miller
23-13
168
Virginia Top 100
Oct 11-14
1989
VA
Randy Blaukat
63-07
167
Maryland Top 100
Sept 20-23
1989
Potomac River
MD Guido Hibdon
43-13
166
Sept 13-15
1989
St. Lawrence River
NY
Mickey Bruce
47-02
31-06
165
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 13-19
1989
James River
VA
Hank Parker
164
Top 100 Super Pro
Jun 7-10
1989
TX
Ron Shuffield
53-01
163
May 10-12
1989
Lake Guntersville
AL
Robert Byrd
60-07
162
Nevada Invitational
Apr 12-14
1989
Lake Mead
NV
Jim Jared
30-00
161
Texas Invitational
Mar 15-17
1989
Lake Livingston
TX
Gary Klein
35-07
160
Feb 20-25
1989
FL
JiM Bitter
58-08
159
Top 100 Super Pro
Dec 7-10
1989
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Paul Elias
53-06
158
Tennessee Invitational
Nov 9-11
1989
Kentucky Lake
TN
Jim Kirkpatrick
43-15
157
Oct 12-14
1989
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
Gary Klein
30-00
156
Sept 21-23
1989
Truman Reservoir
MO Hank Parker
155
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 21-27
1988
James River
VA
Guido Hibdon
28-08
154
May 25-27
1988
Lake Guntersville
AL
Don Snider
47-05
153
Apr 13-15
1988
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
Rick Clunn
43-01
152
Texas Invitational
Mar 16-18
1988
TX
Shaw Grigsby
35-13
40-14
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
151
Feb 15-20
1988
FL
Larry Nixon
88-05
150
Top 100 Superbass Pro
Nov 4-7
1987
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Ron Shuffield
60-09
149
Oct 14-16
1987
West Point Lake
GA
Tom Mann Jr
43-11
148
Sept 23-25
1987
St. Lawrence River
NY
Ken Cook
44-06
147
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 13-15
1987
Ohio River
KY
George Cochran
15-05
NY
56-01,
Chet Douthit, Larry
64-09,
Nixon, Kenneth Pine,
51-09,
Stanley Mitchell
54-13
146
Team Championship
Jun 22-27
1988
St. Lawrence River
145
Super Invitational
May 27-30
1987
Kentucky Lake
TN
Denny Brauer
61-12
144
Apr 29-May 1
1987
Lake Guntersville
AL
Rick Clunn
42-06
143
Texas Invitational
Mar 25-27
1987
TX
David Wharton
37-02
142
Feb 23-28
1987
FL
Lonnie Stanley
62-04
141
Dec 10-12
1986
West Point Lake
GA
Randy Behringer
46-06
140
Oct 29-31
1986
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Charles B. Murphy
45-08
139
Oct 1-3
1986
Hudson River
NY
David Fenton
49-02
138
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 14-16
1986
Tennessee River
TN
Charlie Reed
23-09
137
Super Invitational
Jun 4-7
1986
Tennessee River
TN
Zell Rowland
39-06
136
Apr 30-May 2
1986
Truman Reservoir
MO Larry Nixon
46-00
135
Apr 7-10
1986
FL
Roger Farmer
68-00
134
Texas Bassmaster Inv.
Mar 19-21
1986
TX
Denny Brauer
44-10
133
Florida Bassmaster Inv.
Feb 19-21
1986
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Russ Bringger
50-03
132
Georgia Bassmaster Inv.
Dec 11-13
1986
Lake Lanier
GA
Gary Klein
23-13
131
Sept 25-27
1986
St. Lawrence River
NY
Jimmy Houston
43-09
130
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 15-17
1985
Arkansas River
AR
Jack Chancellor
45-00
129
May 29-31
1985
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Rick Clunn
57-01
128
Chattanooga Invitational
May 1-3
1985
Tennessee River
TN
Denny Brauer
35-02
127
Super BASS Tournament
Apr 3-6
1985
St. Johns River
FL
Hank Parker
68-09
126
Texas Invitational
Feb 27-Mar 1
1985
TX
Ron Shearer
54-01
125
St. Johns Invitational
Nov 7-9
1984
St. Johns River
FL
Kim Carver
27-14
124
Oct 17-19
1984
Truman Reservoir
MO Charlie Ingram
31-15
123
Sept 27-29
1984
Hudson River
NY
Roland Martin
50-02
122
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 16-18
1984
Arkansas River
AR
Rick Clunn
75-09
121
La Crosse Invitational
May 30-Jun 1
1984
Mississippi River
MS
Charlie Ingram
29-04
120
May 3-5
1984
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Charlie Ingram
56-09
119
St. Johns Super BASS
Apr 25-28
1984
St. Johns River
FL
Doug Gilley
53-11
118
Mar 28-30
1984
Lake Lanier
GA
Roland Martin
50-14
117
Texas Invitational
Feb 29-Mar 2
1984
TX
Denny Brauer
55-11
116
Nov 30-Dec 3
1983
Lake Lanier
GA
Mickey Bruce
42-10
115
Oct 5-7
1983
Truman Reservoir
MO Ken Cook
43-15
114
Sept 14-16
1983
Seneca Lake
NY
Paul Elias
32-00
113
Bassmaster Classic
Aug 4-6
1983
Ohio River
OH
Larry Nixon
18-01
112
La Crosse Invitational
May 25-27
1983
Mississippi River
MS
Rick Clunn
22-11
111
Apr 20-22
1983
James River
VA
Hank Parker
42-14
110
Mar 23-26
1983
St. Johns River
FL
Ken Cook
41-14
109
Texas Invitational
Feb 23-25
1983
TX
Tommy Martin
63-08
108
Dec 1-3
1983
Lake Toho
FL
Ken Cook
30-01
107
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 14-16
1982
Alabama River
AL
Paul Elias
32-08
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
106
Bass Champs Invitational
Jul 21-23
1982
Ohio River
OH
Larry Nixon
16-05
105
Jun 16-18
1982
Lake Eufaula
AL
Cliff Craft
68-08
104
S.C. Hungry Fisherman Inv.
May 26-28
1982
Lake Wylie
SC
Billy Noah
54-02
103
Apr 21-23
1982
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Randy Behringer
41-09
102
Mar 24-26
1982
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Ron Shearer
57-00
101
Louisiana Invitational
Feb 17-19
1982
Lake Bistineau
LA
Larry Nixon
47-01
100
Texas Invitational
Nov 18-20
1982
LA
Tommy Martin
81-10
99
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 15-17
1981
Alabama River
AL
Stanley Mitchell
35-02
98
Jul 22-24
1981
Cherokee Lake
TN
Jerry Knicely
20-14
97
North Carolina Invitational
Jun 24-26
1981
Albemarle Sound
NC
Basil E. Bacon
46-12
96
May 20-22
1981
Lake Ouachita
AR
Jerry Rhyne
34-15
95
Apr 15-17
1981
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Guido Hibdon
51-02
94
Mar 18-20
1981
Lake Eufaula
AL
Roland Martin
43-11
93
Feb 18-20
1981
LA
Roland Martin
84-11
92
Nov 19-21
1980
Lake Okeechobee
FL
Roland Martin
48-02
91
Bassmaster Classic
Sept 24-26
1980
St. Lawrence River
NY
Villis P. (Bo) Dowden 54-10
90
Jul 23-25
1980
Lake Guntersville
AL
Basil E. Bacon
53-10
89
Texas Invitational
Jun 25-27
1980
LA
Larry Nixon
60-09
88
N.C. Invitational Tour
May 21-23
1980
Albemarle
NC
Tommy Chapman
60-10
87
Apr 23-25
1980
Lake Of The Ozarks
MO Guido Hibdon
56-04
86
Mar 26-28
1980
Sardis Lake
MS
Roland Martin
29-03
85
Feb 27-29
1980
Lake Toho
FL
Horace Phipps
33-11
84
Nov 14-16
1979
Lake Eufaula
AL
John Rogers
29-08
83
Bassmaster Classic
Sept 26-28
1979
Lake Texoma
TX
Hank Parker
31-00
82
Jul 18-20
1979
Millwood Reservoir
AR
Larry Nixon
44-00
81
Jun 20-22
1979
St. Lawrence River
NY
Forrest Wood
47-03
31-08
80
May 23-25
1979
Kentucky Lake
TN/
Gregory Ward
KY
79
Apr 25-27
1979
Lake Gaston
VA
Paul Elias
46-12
78
Mar 21-23
1979
Lake Powell
AZ
Gary Klein
58-00
77
Feb 21-23
1979
St. Johns River
FL
Gary Alverson
45-04
76
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 25-27
1978
MS
Bobby Murray
37-09
75
Sept 20-22
1978
West Point Lake
AL
Randy Fite
69-11
74
Jun 21-23
1978
St. Lawrence River
NY
Roland Martin
59-13
73
May 31-Jun 2
1978
Kentucky Lake
TN
Shorty Evans
56-13
72
Bass Champs Tournament
Apr 26-28
1978
LA
Larry Nixon
22-13
71
Mar 22-24
1978
Lake Gaston
VA
Hurley Board
38-11
70
St. Johns Florida Inv.
Feb 22-24
1978
St. Johns River
FL
Jack Wade
33-14
69
Kissimmee Florida Inv.
Jan 25-27
1978
Lake Toho
FL
David Gliebe
39-12
68
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 26-28
1977
Lake Toho
FL
Rick Clunn
27-07
67
Sept 21-23
1977
St. Lawrence River
NY
Jim Rogers
56-02
66
Jun 15-17
1977
West Point Lake
AL
Roland Martin
59-00
65
May 11-13
1977
Greers Ferry Reservoir
AR
Billy Westmorland
34-04
64
Bass Champs Tournament
Apr 13-15
1977
Percy Priest Reservoir
TN
Rick Clunn
47-02
63
Mar 16-18
1977
Lake Gaston
VA
Al Lindner
53-01
62
Feb 16-18
1977
LA
David Gliebe
83-02
61
Jan 19-21
1977
St. Johns River
FL
Stephen Goodwin
45-03
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
60
Bassmaster Classic
Nov 3-5
1976
Lake Guntersville
AL
Rick Clunn
59-15
59
All-American
Sept 22-24
1976
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
Rick Garlough
32-09
58
Jul 21-23
1976
Cordell Hull Reservoir
TN
Wade Reed
23-13
57
Jun 9-11
1976
VA
Jim Hawkins
50-08
56
May 12-14
1976
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Jimmy Houston
67-05
55
Feb 25-27
1976
LA
Jim Mckay
78-09
54
Jan 28-30
1976
St. Johns River
FL
Manuel Spencer
51-14
53
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 29-31
1975
Currituck Sound
NC
Jack Hains
45-04
52
All-American
Sept 24-26
1975
Lake Texoma
TX/
John Pryor
OK
66-04
51
Jun 4-6
1975
Santee Cooper Lakes
SC
Roland Martin
64-00
50
May 7-9
1975
VA
Woo Daves
63-12
49
Apr 2-4
1975
Bull Shoals Lake
AR
Dee Thomas
35-06
48
Mar 5-7
1975
LA
Marvin Baker
61-06
47
Jan 29-31
1975
St. Johns River
FL
Billy Westmorland
59-08
46
Miller High Life Classic
Oct 30-Nov 1
1974
Lake Wheeler
AL
Tommy Martin
33-07
45
All-American
Sept 25-27
1974
GA
John Farr
41-10
44
Jun 5-07
1974
VA
Don Shealy
63-03
43
May 1-3
1974
Watts Bar Reservoir
TN
Al Lindner
42-14
42
Apr 3-5
1974
Beaver Lake
AR
Tommy Martin
48-05
41
Texas Invitational
Mar 6-8
1974
TX
Ricky Green
59-13
40
Feb 6-8
1974
St. Johns River
FL
Billy Westmorland
49-02
39
Miller High Life Classic
Oct 24-26
1973
GA
Rayo Breckenridge
52-08
38
All-American
Sept 26-28
1973
Watts Bar Reservoir
TN
Roland Martin
21-06
37
May 30-Jun 1
1973
Lake Keowee
SC
J.L. Collis
23-15
36
Seminole Lunker
May 2-4
1973
Lake Seminole
GA
Roland Martin
54-14
35
Apr 4-6
1973
MS
Roland Martin
72-07
34
Mar 7-9
1973
Beaver Lake
AR
Don Butler
56-14
33
Feb 7-9
1973
St. Johns River
FL
Larry Hill
108-02
32
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 25-27
1972
Percy Priest Reservoir
TN
Don Butler
38-11
31
All-American
Sept 28-30
1972
Lake Eufaula
AL
Roland Martin
62-13
30
Aug 24-26
1972
MS
Ricky Green
44-03
29
Tennessee National
Jun 22-24
1972
Watts Bar Reservoir
TN
Roland Martin
37-06
28
Arkansas National
May 18-20
1972
Lake Ouachita
AR
Bobby Murray
48-06
27
Apr 13-15
1972
Lake Keowee
SC
Glin Wells
28-10
26
Florida National
Mar 9-11
1972
Lake Kissimmee
FL
Tom Mann
47-15
25
Bassmaster Classic
Oct 20-22
1971
Lake Mead
NV
Bobby Murray
43-11
24
All-American
Sept 30-Oct 2
1971
MS
Roland Martin
54-13
23
Texas National
Jun 17-19
1971
TX
John Powell
61-06
22
Missouri National
Apr 29-May 1
1971
Table Rock Lake
MO John Powell
59-13
21
Georgia Florida Lunker
Mar 18-20
1971
Lake Seminole
GA
Tom Mann
62-14
20
All-American
Nov 12-14
1970
Table Rock Lake
MO Bill Dance
52-06
19
Texas National
Sept 24-26
1970
TX
Bill Dance
62-06
18
Oklahoma National
Aug 5-7
1970
Lake Eufaula
OK
John Hadad III
82-15
17
Henshall Memorial
Jun 11-13
1970
Lake Eufaula
AL
Bill Adair
116-06
16
Rebel Invitational
Apr 30-May 2
1970
MS
Bill Dance
75-12
15
Seminole Lunker
Mar 19-21
1970
Lake Seminole
GA
Roland Martin
53-14
No. Tournament
Date
Year
Fishery
St
Winner
Wt
14
Toledo Bend Invitational
Jan 29-31
1970
LA
Mike D Bono
94-04
13
Eufaula Team
Nov 13-15
1969
Lake Eufaula
AL
Bill Dance, Bobby
Murray, Bob Ponds,
Forrest Wood
120-6
12
All-American
Sept 25-27
1969
Lake Ouachita
AR
Bill Dance
36-04
11
Alabama National
Jul 10-12
1969
Lake Eufaula
AL
Blake Honeycutt
138-06
10
Rebel Invitational
May 22-24
1969
MS
Pete Henson
124-03
9
Texas National
Apr 10-12
1969
TX
Harold Hays
105-04
8
Seminole Lunker
Feb 20-22
1969
Lake Seminole
GA
Joe Verbeck
62-09
7
Dixie Invitational
Nov 14-16
1968
Smith Lake
AL
Bill Dance
48-03
6
All-American
Oct 3-05
1968
TX
Bill Dance
72-13
5
Eufaula National
Jun 20-22
1968
Lake Eufaula
AL
John Powell
132-00
4
Rebel Invitational
Apr 18-20
1968
MS
Bill Dance
72-01
3
Ga-Fla Lunker
Feb 22-24
1968
Lake Seminole
GA
Carl Dyess
39-01
2
Dixie Invitational
Oct 20-22
1967
Smith Lake
AL
Gerald Blanchard
42-00
1
All-American
Jun 6-8
1967
Beaver Lake
AR
Stan Sloan
37-08
Ray Scott, shown at left
with Bobby Murray of
Arkansas, held the 1968
Seminole Lunker Bass
tournament in February
1968. It was the first
tournament under his
new B.A.S.S. organization. Kevin VanDam (bottom left) holds the
record for most B.A.S.S.
tournament wins — 20,
in fact. Rick Clunn (bottom right) has qualified
for the Bassmaster
Classic 32 times.
Bass Fishing Terms
Alabama Rig — a castable variation of the
“umbrella” rig, which is a harness used to
present multiple baits from a single rod-andreel combination. The original Alabama Rig
was invented by Andy Poss in 2011 and
immediately began to dominate tournament
competitions. Umbrella rigs and similar multilure devices are not allowed in any B.A.S.S.
tournament that qualifies anglers for the
Bassmaster Classic
breakline — an area of transition from one
depth to another, one cover type to another,
one water temperature to another, one water
color to another, one substrate to another or
any other transition that could influence bass
behavior
bream — one or more of a species of panfish; a commonly used term for bluegill and
other panfish
backlash — an overrun of the spool of a
baitcast reel caused by improper spool tension
on the part of the angler; also known as a
“bird’s nest”
baitcast reel — a revolvingspool fishing reel that is
mounted atop the rod handle
bronzeback — slang term for smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
bed fishing — the tactic of
brown bass — slang term for smallmouth
fishing for bass that are holding on or near
spawning beds
blade bait — lure type generally identified
by its slim, “blade-like” body and generally
made from aluminum and lead
bladed jig — lure characterized by a lead
head and hook (jig) and flat, planing “blade”
that causes the lure to vibrate on the retrieve
bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
brushpile — a man-made assembly of brush
and woody cover placed in a body of water to
attract gamefish
buzzbait — a lure with a weighted head,
similar to a spinnerbait, and a propellershaped blade that churns the surface (or
“buzzes”) as it is retrieved
Carolina rig — a rigging technique commonly used with soft plastic lures using a
swivel and bead to separate the weight (held
on the main line and separated from the lure
by a swivel) from the hook (at the end of a
leader)
blastoff — the beginning of a fishing
tournament at which competitors are permitted to drive away from the starting area in
their boats; also called takeoff
channel — the main bed in a river or lake
originally shaped by natural or man-made
forces
closed-face reel — a fixed-spool fishing
reel using a conical cover that encloses the
spool and helps to control line; commonly
used by beginning anglers; also known as a
“spincast reel”
co-angler — an angler who fishes from the
back of a professional angler’s boat during a
tournament and competes for prize funds
with other co-anglers
community hole — a well-known and
frequently fished area
cover — an object, such as a stump, rock or
vegetation, that creates an ambush point for a
predator
breaking or hooks from pulling out when
fish are hooked
drop shotting — a fishing technique whereby a worm hook is attached
directly to the line above a sinker; typically, a soft plastic bait is affixed to the
hook and the rig is presented more or
less vertically
dropoff — an abrupt change in bottom
contour, typically at the juncture of a
flat and channel; a ledge
finesse fishing — technique by
crankbait — a lure, most often made of
wood or plastic, designed to imitate a swimming baitfish, crawfish or other forage item;
diving crankbaits generally float at rest and
are characterized by a plastic or metal bill
that allows them to be pulled (“dive”) under
the water on the retrieve; lipless crankbaits
typically sink and run deepest on a slow
retrieve and shallowest on a fast retrieve
creature bait — a soft plastic bait with sev-
eral appendages and loosely resembling a
crawfish or salamander
deadsticking — technique by which a bait
is cast and allowed to lie motionless (or with
no motion imparted by the angler) for long
periods of time
depthfinder — sonar unit used by anglers to
locate and identify underwater features,
including fish
drag — a mechanical device built into a reel
that, when engaged, exerts an adjustable
range of pressure on the spool to permit a
controlled release of fishing line from the
reel; a properly used drag prevents line from
which small and/or slow-moving lures
are used to generate feeding strikes from
lethargic bass; commonly regarded as
the opposite of power fishing
fizzing — the practice of inserting a hypodermic needle through the skin of a bass to
release air from the fish’s swim bladder. The
procedure is necessary when bass are brought
up from deep water, causing their swim bladders to overinflate. Professional anglers and
tournament officials are encouraged to master the technique, which can ensure longterm survival of the fish
flat — an expanse of bottom with relatively
little change in bottom contour or water
depth
flippin’ — a fixed-line presentation technique invented by Dee Thomas by which a
lure (usually a jig or soft plastic bait) is propelled underhand in pendulum fashion to a
point a short distance (usually about 15 to 18
feet) away; frequently referred to as “flipping”
float-and-fly — technique using a long
(typically 8 feet and longer) spinning rod,
light line, float and small jig to target suspended bass, especially winter smallmouth
Bass Fishing Terms
junk fishing — style of bass fishing in
which no one particular lure or technique is
particularly effective and the angler must use
a variety of baits and methods to catch fish
Kentucky bass — term commonly used to
refer to spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus)
football jig — jig with football-shaped
head; popular for fishing deep-water structure and cover
GPS (Global Positioning System) —
e lectronic devices that use transmissions
from an array of satellites to aid in navigation
and to show precise position, usually on a
chart or map
kneel and reel — a presentation and
retrieve technique in which the angler kneels
in the boat and keeps his rod tip under the
water while retrieving a deep-diving crankbait, thereby getting maximum diving depth
from the lure; made popular by Paul Elias,
winner of the 1982 Bassmaster Classic
gamefish — any fish species pursued by
anglers primarily for sport purposes and not
as table fare
grassbed — a concentration of aquatic
grasses that form a defined area
hole jumping — the practice of knowingly
fishing a location that was previously discovered to be productive by someone else —
usually another competitor in a tournament;
it is generally considered to be unethical,
though it may not be against any rules
hook set — the process by which the hook
is driven into the mouth of a fish
jerkbait — a lipped, minnow-shaped plug
normally retrieved with a series of jerks and
pauses of the rod tip
jig — a weighted head molded around a single, upturned hook
johnboat — typically a flat-bottomed aluminum or wood boat with bench-type seating and commonly used to fish on small
bodies of water
largemouth bass — typically dark green
on top, with silvery green to yellow-green
flanks, these fish have a belly that is usually
white to yellowish, and they have a dark,
irregular stripe along their sides; the dorsal
fin contains spiny and soft portions that are
separated by a deep notch; the largemouth
bass, which grows to be the largest and heaviest of the three species, is easily identified by
the size of its mouth; when closed, the line of
the mouth extends past the eye of the fish
laydown — a shoreline tree that has fallen
into the water; also known as a “blowdown”
lipless crankbait — a sinking
crankbait that has
no diving lip; its
depth is controlled
by the speed of the
retrieve, angle at which the rod is held, line
size and other factors
lipping — landing a bass by grasping its lower
jaw between your thumb and index finger and
grasping it or pulling it from the water
livewell — container used to keep bass or
other baitfish or gamefish alive by use of an
aeration system
locking through — the process of passing through navigation locks and dams on a
body of water
long lining — a technique in which an
angler makes a long cast and then uses the
boat’s trolling motor to troll away from the
cast, using all the line on the reel to get the
most depth out of a deep-diving crankbait
lunker — slang term for large bass of any
species
marshal — an on-board observer in the
Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster
Classic; marshals ensure the integrity of
competition by reporting rules violations to
tournament officials as well as assist by operating technological devices such as
BASSTrakk
when fishing light lines or small lures
pattern — the exact set of water conditions,
such as depth, cover, structure, temperature,
clarity, currents, etc., that attract fish to a
specific location and to other similar locations all over the same body of water; first
defined by legendary pro Roland Martin in
1969
pattern fishing — the practice of targeting
areas that share the exact set of water
conditions, such as depth, cover, structure,
temperature, clarity, currents, etc., that have
produced bass at similar locations all over the
same body of water
pegging — affixing a weight to the fishing
line so that it cannot slide up or down the
line; pegging is typically accomplished with a
toothpick, rubber peg or strips of rubber
pitching — an underhanded casting method
that resembles a modified flipping cast; the
bait is swung forward by raising the rod tip
quickly, and the lure — most commonly a
soft plastic bait or jig — pulls line from the
spool; pitching is most commonly used to
present a lure to targets that are just out of
range of flippin’
mat — vegetation growing from the bottom
of a lake or stream that has reached the surface and spread out to create a dense canopy;
this cover can provide excellent shelter for
bass; mats are typically fished using the
pitching and flipping techniques
plastic worm — a molded soft plastic
lure designed to imitate a worm, eel or snake;
plastic worms are manufactured in numerous
sizes, shapes and colors
match the hatch — mimicking the size
and color of insects, baitfish or other prey; a
term popularized by fly fishermen targeting
trout feeding on insect hatches but applicable
to all types of fishing
postspawn — period immediately after the
open-face reel — slang term for a spinning
reel, a fixed-spool fishing reel mounted
below the rod and commonly used by anglers
pound-test — the point at which fishing
spawn when female bass frequently are
exhausted from laying eggs and protecting
their beds; the period leading into the summer season
line breaks when pulled with a specific
amount of pressure
Bass Fishing Terms
power fishing — technique by which large
shaking — fishing technique in which a
straight-tail worm is threaded onto a plain
jighead and shaken in a location where bass
are believed to be
pre-fishing — practicing for a tournament
shiner — any of several subspecies of baitfish characterized by silver or golden scales
along their sides; size generally runs from 2
to 12 inches
and/or fast-moving lures are used to create
reaction strikes from bass; commonly
regarded as the opposite of finesse fishing
prespawn — period shortly before spawn-
ing begins when bass typically invade shallow water and feed aggressively in preparation for the mating season
prop bait — topwater bait with propellers
on the front and back, or the back only, that
sputters when twitched or retrieved, eliciting
surface strikes
punching — technique for fishing heavy
matted cover (generally vegetation) with a
soft plastic lure by which a heavy slip sinker
is pegged to the bait and the bait is cast,
flipped or pitched into cover so that the
sinker pulls the bait through the cover canopy and to the desired area below
reaction baits — lures fished in a way that
causes a bass to strike out of reflex or surprise; spinnerbaits, crankbaits and lipless
crankbaits are frequently fished in a manner
designed to generate reaction bites
riprap — rocks piled along bridge abutments and banks of rivers and lakes to prevent erosion
sight fishing — targeting bass that are vis-
ible to the angler
skipping — a casting method that propels a
bait under overhanging cover, such as a dock,
trees or bushes; the force of the sidearm cast
causes the bait to skip over the surface and
under the cover
slow rolling — retrieve method most commonly associated with spinnerbaits in which
the lure is retrieved just fast enough to make
the blade(s) turn (“roll”) and the lure crawl
across the bottom
smallmouth bass — distinguishable from
its larger cousin, the largemouth, by the
smaller size of its mouth; when closed, the
mouth line does not extend past the fish’s
eyes; sometimes called bronzebacks for their
particular hue, smallmouth bass usually have
vertical bars along their bodies; has a shallow
notch between the spiny and soft portions of
the dorsal fin, but it is not as deep a notch as
that of the largemouth bass
soft jerkbait — a soft plastic baitfish imita-
tion typically rigged with a wide gap hook
and no weight
sonar — an acronym for SOund, Navigation
shad — a prolific baitfish that serves as a
primary food fish for bass in many reservoirs and rivers, especially in the South; the
most common types of shad are threadfin
and gizzard
shaky head — leadhead jig designed for
rigging a worm weedless and used in the
shaking technique
And Ranging, the technology that makes
depthfinders, or fishfinders, possible; often
used as a synonym for depthfinder or fishfinder
spawn — the time during which bass reproduce by building beds or nests, laying eggs
and protecting eggs and fry; the timing of
the spawn is related to water temperature and
occurs in spring in most parts of the country
spincast reel — a fixed-spool fishing reel
using a conical cover that encloses the spool
and helps to control line; generally mounted
above the reel; commonly used by beginning
anglers; also known as a “closed-face reel”
spinnerbait — a lure characterized by a
V-shaped wire frame with one or more spinner blades fixed to one of the wire shafts and
a weighted hook dressed with rubber, silicone, hair, soft plastic or other material on
the other shaft
spinning reel — a
fixed-spool fishing
reel mounted below
the rod and commonly used by
anglers when fishing
light lines or small lures; also known as an
“open-face reel”
spoon — a metal, plastic or wooden lure
often manufactured with a metallic finish to
imitate a minnow; jigging spoons are straight
slabs of metal that are hopped up and down
directly beneath the boat where bass are
holding in deep water; swimming spoons are
lighter, shaped more like a spoon and meant
for retrieving through shallow water, including weedy areas
the largemouth; above the lateral line are
dark markings, and below the line the scales
have a dark base that often gives rise to linear
rows of small spots; spotted bass grow more
slowly than largemouth bass and are generally smaller, but like largemouth and smallmouth, they are known for their fighting
ability and are popular sportfish
strike zone — the area around an individual
bass in which the fish will strike a lure; if a
fish is willing to swim away from its ambush
spot to hit a lure, it is said to have a large
strike zone
stickworm — a slender, cigar-shaped soft
plastic bait laden with salt or other materials to
make it sink quickly; stickworms are typically
Texas rigged or wacky rigged and fished without a weight; the lure is cast, allowed to settle
briefly, then lifted and allowed to sink again
structure — contour changes on a lake’s or
stream’s substrate, e.g., channels, ledges, flats
and points
suspended — condition used to describe
bass that are not holding in immediate relation to the bottom
spotted bass — also known as Kentucky
bass, spotted bass are commonly found
throughout the United States from Texas,
eastward to Virginia and southward into the
Florida panhandle; similar in appearance to
the largemouth bass, but with a smaller
mouth, the spot has a green to olive-green
hue; a white, mottled belly; and a broad
stripe of broken blotches, usually diamondshaped, along the midline of the body; the
first and second dorsal fins are more noticeably connected with a shallower notch than
swimbait — any of a loose group of lures
that imitate baitfish and are designed to be
retrieved in a swimming manner; frequently
characterized by large size in relation to
other bass lures; may be soft or hard lures,
lipped or not lipped and one piece or jointed
Bass Fishing Terms
tailspinner — lure consisting of a slab of
lead or other weighted material with a swivel
and spinner blade affixed to the rear that
revolves as the bait falls or is retrieved
tailwater — waters located immediately
downstream from a dam
Texas rig — method of rigging in which a
soft plastic lure is threaded onto the hook in
such a manner that the hook point is concealed in the lure, making it relatively snagfree; most often fished with a bullet-shaped
sinker on the line
thermocline — distinct layer in the water
column in which temperature changes more
rapidly with depth than it does in the layers
above or below; a thermocline may be a permanent feature of the body of water or it may
form temporarily in response to phenomena
such as the solar heating of surface water
during the day
umbrella rig — an array of three or more
artificial lures or baits (with or without
hooks) cast or trolled by a single rod-and-reel
combination and attached by a wire or other
harness; a popular trolling rig for striped bass
and other pelagic species and made castable
with a variation called the Alabama Rig
wacky rig — method by which anglers
insert the hook point in a soft plastic at the
center instead of at the end; often used
weightless or with a small weighted jighead
tidewater — coastal waters on which depth
and water flow are affected by tidal movements
wake bait — a plug with a very small diving lip that causes the lure to wake at or just
under the surface upon retrieve
topwater lure — artificial bait fished
across the surface of the water; typically, a
floating lure
trailer — a spinner blade, pork rind, frog
or soft plastic bait attached to the back
hook of a lure and designed to provide
extra attraction
trailer hook — an additional fishhook
threaded onto the main hook of a spinnerbait
or buzzbait to catch bass that “short-strike”
these lures; also called a “stinger” hook
tube bait — any of a variety of soft plastic
lures with a hollow cavity usually with tentacles on the open end
walking the dog — retrieve technique by
which the lure moves in a zigzag pattern;
caused by twitching the rod tip and reeling
simultaneously in a specific cadence
water column — vertical cross-section of a
water body
weedguard — device, usually plastic or
wire, affixed to a lure so as to cover the hook
point(s), thereby making it relatively snagfree
yo-yoing — retrieve technique in which the
lure is presented vertically in an up-anddown motion; commonly used with jigging
spoons or tailspinners
Notes:
B.A.S.S. Partners
Premier
Supporting
www.bassmaster.com
3500 Blue Lake Dr., Suite 330
www.bassmaster.com
www.bassmastermedia.com

Bassmaster Elite Series

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