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.
