The appeal of the Bassmaster Classic is written all over Bob Wilson's hat.
Wilson was wearing a ball cap during Saturday's weigh-in at the BOK Center that was filled with the autographs of many of the anglers who have made northeastern Oklahoma the center of the fishing universe this weekend.
Cliff Pace heads into Sunday's final day of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic as the angler to beat, leading the field by seven pounds after Saturday's second-day weigh in.
Pace, the Petal, Miss., pro who was tied for the lead after catching five fish weighing 21 pounds, 8 ounces on Friday, has a two-day total of 43 pounds, 4 ounces.
The chase for the $500,000 grand prize in the three-day event will culminate Sunday. The Classic field was cut in half for the Sunday finale, and the angler who turns in the largest cumulative three-day weight of fish wins.
Spectators planning to attend the 3 p.m. weigh-in Sunday are being advised to arrive early and expect to stand in line.
On Saturday, the BOK Center hit capacity attendance, and visitors were halted at the doors until someone inside left.
And the thousands of fans attending will be there to find out who wins it all. Wilson of Oak Forest, Ill., is the president of the Windy City Bassmasters, which means he has to hit the road to get any quality bass fishing done.
When asked about the best place to go bass fishing in the Chicago metro area, Wilson replied, "Nowhere. That's why we travel."
Wilson, 50, follows traditional team sports as well as fishing and still wistfully speaks of the Bears' loss to the Colts in a rainy Super Bowl six years ago. However, he said the friendliness of the professionals on the bass tour, such as the ones who signed his hat while they were "roaming around" during their downtime, is a big reason why he follows fishing as a spectator sport.
Jeff Moore, 61, of Mount Gilead, Ohio, agreed that while athletes in some sports can seem aloof and above-it-all, professional anglers are down to earth.
"The stars are friendly to the fans," Moore said of the bass pros. "They come across as such great guys."
Moore, who works as a sales manager, said he attended one previous Bassmaster Classic when it was held in the Pittsburgh area.
He said he promised himself that he would attend another one if it was held in his sales territory, which includes Oklahoma.
Being from a cold-weather state, Moore said, he normally has to settle for watching fishing on television or the Internet this time of year.
John Umholtz, 41, of Tulsa said the cold weather gave the pros a chance to demonstrate how good they really are.
Umholtz expressed his admiration for someone who could catch more than 20 pounds of fish in conditions so frigid that "most guys wouldn't even get a bite."
James Person, 64, of Richlands, N.C., has seen the wizardry of the bass pros up close for many years.
He said he has only missed two Bassmaster Classics since 1994 and has served as a marshal at the event in recent years.
Person has volunteered in various capacities, starting as a tow-vehicle driver when the event was held in his native North Carolina.
When asked why he makes it a point to go wherever the Classic goes, Person simply replied, "I'm a fisherman. I just love fishing."
While Person is a fixture at the event, Nick and Sara Price of Russellville, Ark., were attending their first Bassmaster and had hand-written signs supporting opposing fishermen.
Tracey Falling, 40, of Collinsville was wearing his loyalty to pro Edwin Evers on his shirt.
Falling said he had traveled to attend two Bassmaster Classics in Louisiana and said this year's installment of the event compares favorably.
Linda Fair, Falling's mother-in-law, was attending her first Bassmaster and agreed that Oklahoma is doing well as a host.
"I think Tulsa's done a great job," Fair said.
Fair said she was having a great time.
"It's just a lot of fun," Fair said. "I didn't think it would be this exciting. People need to see it."
Weather forecast
Here is the forecast for Sunday in the Tulsa area: Morning low 28, high 60. Light southerly winds in the morning, then winds up to 13 mph in the afternoon.
Source: Tulsa National Weather Service
Eric Bailey, World Sports Writer, contributed to this story.
David Harper 918-581-8359
david.harper@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Cruising to the finish
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