Bassmaster Classic coverage: From the morning launch to the evening weigh-ins, get complete Classic coverage. And find more on the event, including a Google Maps video tour of Grand Lake and maps of Tulsa’s entertainment districts and restaurants.
Ish Monroe was asked to describe bass fishing's biggest event to a football-crazed state.
"The Bassmaster Classic is basically like coming to a national championship for college football," Monroe said. "It's the biggest tournament of the year.
"It's the most exciting with the most people, most rivalries and most money on the line."
The Classic's 53 anglers mingled with local and national media at the Expo Center on Thursday's eve of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa. The contestants enter Friday morning with dreams of being named the 2013 world champion and hauling in $500,000 of a $1.2 million purse.
Cold-weather gear will be needed for the 7 a.m. launch at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees. Temperatures are expected in the low 20s at Wolf Creek Park and Boat Ramp near Grove, where fan activities begin about 6 a.m.
Partly cloudy skies will keep the thermometer in a constant battle to surpass the freezing mark on Friday.
"It's going to be cold and you know that going into it," said veteran Tommy Biffle, a Wagoner native. "You have to put your warm stuff on and hopefully keep the ice out of your line."
After eight hard hours of fishing, the competitors and their bags of fish (each is limited five bass) will journey 91 miles from Wolf Creek to the BOK Center for a daily weigh in.
The downtown venue has hosted plenty of rock concerts and the weigh-in is similarly electric. Loud music and theatrics will greet each angler.
Capacity crowds, especially on Saturday and Sunday, are expected for the weigh ins. Doors open for the free event at 3 p.m. all three days.
Media attention for the sport has grown each year and reaches its apex at the Classic.
"This is my ninth (Classic)," said Mike McClelland from Bella Vista, Ark. "Maybe you get a little more composure and more experience under your belt ... and let the media attention roll off your shoulders.
"I remember the first Classic I fished. I had no idea what I was doing fishing because of all the media attention."
Fans will be able to visit the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo presented by Dick's Sporting Goods at the Convention Center. Admission is free on all three days (Noon-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday). The Expo will feature gear, games and different demonstrations.
"You don't have to be an angler or outdoorsman to enjoy the Bassmaster Classic," said Michael Mulone, director of event and tourism partnerships for BASS.
The build up will finally end with Friday's boat launch. What do BASS organizers hope to say when the three-day event's first stop in Oklahoma is complete?
"We want to have a safe event and a fun event," Mulone said.
"Then we hope Tulsa enjoys us as much as we are enjoying them. They are being a great host and we want to be a great guest."
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
Where: Wolf Creek
Park and Boat Ramp near
Grove
Begins: 6 a.m.
Official takeoff: 7 a.m.
Weigh-in: Doors open
at 3 p.m., BOK Center
Eric Bailey 918-581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: The main event
