Before, during and after, look here for news, videos, maps, schedules, fun and all the Tulsa World has to offer as The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing, the Bassmaster Classic, comes to Grand Lake and Tulsa Feb. 22-24, 2013.



The Tulsa World Outdoors Weigh-In Challenge event opens Monday at noon. Weigh-in challenge participants can guess the biggest bag weight for each of the three days until Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at 11:59 p.m. There will be one winner for each day of the Bassmaster Classic.

Google Earth Flyover of Grand Lake for the Bassmasters Classic from Tulsa World on Vimeo.





Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Fred Roumbanis of Bixby let us take an in-depth look at his boat. The Triton 21XS Elite with a 250 horsepower Mecury Pro Verado motor is one example of these state-of-the-art machines that are worth $60,000 to $70,000 with all their features. His is similar to others, with a 21-foot fiberglass hull, 95-inch beam and dry hull weight of 2,000 pounds for stability and for smoother running at speeds up to 80 mph.


Mike McClelland Scouts Grand Lake. Video from Mike Simons of the Tulsa World.


Get up early and watch the anglers launch their boats into the cold waters this year at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees' Wolf Creek boat launch in Grove, Okla. Boats launch each day Feb. 22-24 at 7 a.m. Google map of the launch location at Grand Lake



Weigh-ins will be held at the BOK Center each day of competition. Doors open at 3 p.m. for this non-ticketed, open-seating event. Watch as each angler rides in on their boat and steps on stage to show the audience their biggest catch. Google map of the BOK center in Tulsa.


The Bassmaster Classic weigh-in (BOK Center) and Expo (Tulsa Convention Center) are within walking distance, making it easy for crowds to attend both events. The expo starts on Friday, Feb. 22 and runs from Noon - 8 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 23, the expo is open from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 24, the expo is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.




See all of Kelly Bostian's Outdoors blogs, including stories, columns, slideshows and videos at tulsaworld.com/outdoors

Headlines
Bassmaster Classic practice begins on Grand Lake Bassmaster Classic practice begins on Grand Lake   2/16/2013

Bassmaster Classic anglers are at it already on Grand Lake O' The Cherokees.

Kelly Bostian: Enter the Tulsa World Outdoors Weigh-in Challenge Kelly Bostian: Enter the Tulsa World Outdoors Weigh-in Challenge   2/14/2013

Bassmaster Classic anglers are in town and will begin practicing on Grand Lake O' The Cherokees when the lake's off-limits period expires Friday morning. They will be out there through Sunday, daylight to dark, no doubt, making use of every minute.

Enter the Tulsa World Outdoors Weigh-in Challenge: Guess the bag weight each day and win prizes Enter the Tulsa World Outdoors Weigh-in Challenge: Guess the bag weight each day and win prizes   2/12/2013

Kelly Bostian: Bassmaster Classic needs volunteers Kelly Bostian: Bassmaster Classic needs volunteers   2/7/2013

The outfit is a black cap, yellow t-shirt and khaki pants and the job is rolling out the red carpet and showing visitors that Tulsa is a great place to visit.

Kelly Bostian: Deer limit proposal scrapped, baitfish rule modified Kelly Bostian: Deer limit proposal scrapped, baitfish rule modified   2/5/2013

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION in the wildlife regulation proposal process led the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and the Conservation Commission to modify one of the more controversial new regulations proposals it entertained this winter and to entirely withdraw another at its regular meeting Monday in Oklahoma City.

Construction at 2013 Bassmaster Classic launch site in Grove 'on schedule' Construction at 2013 Bassmaster Classic launch site in Grove 'on schedule'   1/27/2013

There is little room for error or bad weather as contractors aim to finish last-minute construction at Wolf Creek Park, which will be the launch site for anglers in the upcoming 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

Kelly Bostian: Multiple big bass make for unusual day Kelly Bostian: Multiple big bass make for unusual day   1/24/2013

FOUR FISH, AND they totaled more than 20 pounds. If I consider all five keepers I saw, it was probably close to 25.

Classic still just 'catching fish' Classic still just 'catching fish'   1/21/2013

JASON CHRISTIE KNOWS the Bassmaster Classic is the Super Bowl of bass fishing.

Hard Rock to sponsor 2013 Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa   12/19/2012

As of Tuesday, it is officially the 2013 Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Outdoor briefs   12/9/2012

Ride with an angler: BASS announced this week that members of the organization will be offered the opportunity to ride along with a 2013 Bassmaster Classic angler as a marshal with priority selection given to Oklahoma BASS members.

Q&A

What makes the Bassmaster Classic special?

Dozens of amateur tournaments take place in Oklahoma each year. BASS has held six professional tournaments on Grand Lake in the past, including three Invitational tournaments in the 1990s and Elite Series events in 2006 and 2007. The difference between the Classic and the other tournaments is like the difference between hosting an NBA season game and hosting the NBA Championships. Spectators can watch the fishing from the lakeshore or from boats at a reasonable distance from the competitors.

Who fishes in this tournament?

The Classic features the top professional bass anglers in the world. They qualify through various tournament series that are operated by BASS. The top series featuring the top pros is the Elite Tour, followed by the Open series, the Federation Nation and College BASS.

How does the tournament work?

All 53 anglers launch at daylight the first two days and have to be off the lake and checked in for the weigh-in on time each day. They may turn in five bass over 14 inches long. Anglers are penalized for late arrival or for arriving with dead fish. The field is cut in half after the second day for a final-day shootout. The angler who turns in the largest cumulative weight wins.
Past winners

2007: Boyd Duckett
2008: Alton Jones
2009: Skeet Reese
2010: Kevin VanDam
2011: Kevin VanDam
2012: Chris Lane

Find the rest of the winners from B.A.S.S.





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