VanDam Holds Off Horton at Kentucky Lake

The final day of the Bassmaster Elite Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake was billed as “The Greatest There Was vs. The Greatest There Is” or “Rick Clunn vs. Kevin VanDam.” But as it turned out, that shootout never materialized. Instead, VanDam faltered, Clunn stumbled, and Timmy Horton seemingly came out of nowhere to pass Rick and challenge Kevin.

In the end, VanDam had enough for the victory, but Horton had a great time making him sweat it out. We’ll hear from both of them in this episode.

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Kevin VanDam Claims 14th Win

Furthering his reputation as the best angler on the planet, three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., scored his 14th BASS victory Sunday at the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard® Platinum Marine Batteries on Kentucky Lake with a four-day total of 81 pounds, 13 ounces. VanDam held off by just 1 pound a hard-charging Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., who weighed in 24 pounds, 11 ounces Sunday to make things interesting.

In addition to the $100,000 victory, VanDam claimed the lead in the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. With only three events remaining in the Trail to the Trophy, VanDam leads Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, by 65 points, a modest margin. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., is third and reigning AOY Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., is fourth. The eventual winner will take home $250,000, and the standings will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.

After narrowly missing out on an Elite victory by 8 ounces last week to Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W.Va., on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake — part of the Tennessee River chain along with Kentucky Lake – VanDam was able to exact some redemption on the Elite field. At Wheeler, he absorbed trash talk from Starks and relinquished the lead on the final day. But, on Kentucky Lake, VanDam led wire-to-wire and pushed his career BASS earnings to nearly $3 million.

“This win means more to me than any that I have experienced in a long while,” VanDam, 40, said of the Father’s Day victory. “Two years ago, I finished third in this tournament, and this year I was smart about it. I planned for the boat traffic and made sound decisions.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, June 21, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the final day weigh-in and real-time leaderboards was available on http://www.Bassmaster.com.

Plagued by boat traffic from competitors in other tournaments, VanDam was able to catch more than 20 pounds each of the first three days of competition. Surprisingly, he struggled Sunday, the one day the boat traffic decreased. But VanDam had saved for late in the day a final spot that he identified during practice, and he was able to upgrade his weight in the final hours of competition. The victory is his fourth in Elite Series competition, the most of any angler since the format was created in 2006.

Throughout the tournament, VanDam mixed it up with a variety of lures. His most productive, like last week on Wheeler, was a Strike King series 6 in sexy shad color. He said he used jigs, spinnerbaits and other crankbaits throughout the four-day competition. The key to victory, he said, was keying on rough spots on shell beds in the bottom of the lake. VanDam felt the fish were bunched around these spots and found most of his productive schools at these locations.

Now, after his fourth consecutive top-12 cut, VanDam’s focus turns to the all-important Angler of the Year race.

“That is the ultimate goal,” said the two-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “Amongst the anglers, that’s what we talk about. It’s just an honor to be in the hunt.”

Horton, who totaled 83 pounds, 12 ounces through four days, nearly made an amazing comeback. He trailed VanDam by almost 7 pounds heading into the final day, and though he was satisfied with his catch Sunday, he lamented a few lost fish that he felt would have won the event for him.

He threw a crankbait like most in the field, but the key to Horton’s success was shaving the edges to allow the bait to swim through the water with greater ease.

“This one is a little bit easier to swallow because I came in thinking I was fishing for second place,” said Horton, the 2000 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “You just don’t expect Kevin to slip. But it was a great tournament.”

In third was Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., who moved up from sixth with 78 pounds, 3 ounces. McClelland moved up from seventh to fourth with 77 pounds, 1 ounce. Rounding out the top five was Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., with 75 pounds, 14 ounces.

Elite rookie Wade Grooms of Bonneau, S.C, finished seventh and four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn, second heading into the day, slipped to ninth.

In addition to the Angler of the Year race, the Advance Auto Parts Rookie of the Year race will be settled based on Elite Series performance. Elite rookie Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., has opened up a commanding margin of 257 points over Grooms. With only three events remaining, Lane will need to falter to relinquish his sizable lead.

Next, the Bassmaster Elite Series circuit heads to Old Hickory Lake out of Hendersonville, Tenn. The ninth event of the season, recently rescheduled from the Mississippi River because of unsafe conditions in Fort Madison, Iowa, is set for June 26-29.

Straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Kentucky Lake is 185 miles in length, with 160,000 surface acres and 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley, a navigable canal, adds another 80,000 surface acres. The Bassmaster Elite Series made its last stop at Kentucky Lake in June 2006, when the top seven pros each caught more than 60 pounds through four days. Winner Morizo Shimizu weighed in 66 pounds, 9 ounces.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

The local sponsor of the Bluegrass Brawl is the Kentucky Sports Authority.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.

Location and Field
Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®
Kentucky Lake
Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 12-15, 2008

Field
107 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top-50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Kentucky Dam Marina
1300 Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, Ky.
8 a.m./ 5 p.m. CT

2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event Tournament Locations/Dates

March 6-9 Sunshine Showdown Harris Chain of Lakes Leesburg, Fla.
March 13-16 Citrus Slam Kissimmee Chain Lake Wales, Fla.

April 3-6 Lone Star Shootout Falcon Lake Zapata, Texas

April 10-13 Battle on the Border Lake Amistad Del Rio, Texas

May 1-4 Pride of Georgia Clarks Hill Lake Evans, Ga.

May 15-18 Carolina Clash Lake Murray Columbia, S.C.

June 5-8 Southern Challenge Wheeler Lake Decatur, Ala.

June 12-15 Bluegrass Brawl Kentucky Lake Gilbertsville, Ky.

June 26-29 Tennessee Triumph Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn.

July 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.

Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

VanDam Leads Clunn

Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are learning that it’s not a wise idea to fire up Kevin VanDam. After narrowly missing out on his 14th BASS victory by 8 ounces on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake last week and absorbing considerable trash talk from eventual winner Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W. Va., the three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year has dominated the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard® Platinum Marine Batteries on Kentucky Lake, taking a three-day total of 68 pounds, 4 ounces, and a near 7-pound advantage into the final day of competition.

“I’m fired up, man,” said VanDam, 40. “I was very disappointed last week but more times than not, I’m going to come back strong. I just wish Jeremy was in the field for this one.”

In addition to closing on a victory, VanDam is piling up the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points. A wire-to-wire victory would earn him 320 points and with previous leader Todd Faircloth finishing in a tie for 18th, VanDam will take hold of the lead in the season-long points standings with only three events remaining.

If VanDam is the top performer in the AOY points race, he will take home $250,000. The standings also will determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers. The Classic is set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., on the Red River.

Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, June 21, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the final day weigh-in and real-time leaderboards can be accessed on http://www.Bassmaster.com.

If VanDam is able to hang on at Kentucky, he will earn $100,000, which would push his career BASS earnings to nearly $3 million. Additionally, a victory would also mark his fourth in Elite Series competition, the most for any angler since the format was created in 2006.

VanDam said his day was much like he expected. He had to contend with boat pressure from other tournament circuits. He “mixed it up” with a variety of lures, including his most productive bait, a Strike King sexy shad.

“I planned very well for today,” said VanDam, a two-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “I knew I would get hit hard by the boat traffic so I stayed away from some of my stuff. I still have a good many spots that I haven’t even touched yet.”

Falling behind VanDam further was four-time Bassmaster Classic Rick Clunn. His credentials are as impressive as VanDam but he has not been in contention for a tournament victory for more than two years. Still, with a productive crankbait bite on Kentucky Lake, Clunn, 61, remains dangerous.

He boated 17 pounds, 11 ounces, Saturday and has been fishing areas far away from the launch site where little boat traffic exists. He said that he feels most comfortable when he has his own water and will continue to look for those areas Sunday.

“After 35 years, I have run out of excuses,” said Clunn, who has a three-day total of 61 pounds, 7 ounces. “My spots just didn’t pan out today but tomorrow is a new day.”

Moving from eighth to third was Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., with 59 pounds, 1 ounce. In fourth was all-time BASS four-day heavyweight record hold Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., with 58 pounds, 14 ounces and fifth was Elite rookie Wade Grooms of Bonneau, S.C., with 57 pounds, 0 ounces.

Only the top 12 anglers will fish Sunday including Mike McClelland (seventh) of Bella Vista, Ark., who is in the top five in the Angler of the Year standings. Others in the cut line include Oklahoma’s Bradley Hallman (eighth), Kenyon Hill (ninth) and Edwin Evers (10th).

In the co-angler division, Michael Bass of Austin, Texas, took home the top prize of $25,000 with a three-day total of 45 pounds, 0 ounces. Bass outlasted Jason Seaton of Martinsville, Ind., with 44 pounds, 1 ounce, and Brian Hickey of Cadiz, Ky., with 43 pounds, 14 ounces. Hickey finished in second place in the co-angler competition in last week’s Elite Series event on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake.

Straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Kentucky Lake is 185 miles in length, with 160,000 surface acres and 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley, a navigable canal, adds another 80,000 surface acres. The Bassmaster Elite Series made its last stop at Kentucky Lake in June 2006, when the top seven pros each caught more than 60 pounds through four days. Winner Morizo Shimizu weighed in 66 pounds, 9 ounces.

Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Bluegrass Brawl will take place at Kentucky Dam Marina, 1300 Administration Drive through Sunday. Launches begin at 8 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 5 p.m.

Activities at the Bluegrass Brawl include a musical performance Sunday afternoon by country artists Nashville Songwriters. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 p.m. both days, as well as Skeeter boat demo rides from noon to 2 p.m.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 4:30 p.m. CT of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan and ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show, which airs on Bassmaster.com, will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins begins at 5 p.m. CT on Bassmaster.com.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

The local sponsor of the Bluegrass Brawl is the Kentucky Sports Authority.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.

Location and Field
Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®
Kentucky Lake
Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 12-15, 2008

Field
107 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top-50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Kentucky Dam Marina
1300 Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, Ky.
8 a.m./ 5 p.m. CT

2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event Tournament Locations/Dates

March 6-9 Sunshine Showdown Harris Chain of Lakes Leesburg, Fla.
March 13-16 Citrus Slam Kissimmee Chain Lake Wales, Fla.

April 3-6 Lone Star Shootout Falcon Lake Zapata, Texas

April 10-13 Battle on the Border Lake Amistad Del Rio, Texas

May 1-4 Pride of Georgia Clarks Hill Lake Evans, Ga.

May 15-18 Carolina Clash Lake Murray Columbia, S.C.

June 5-8 Southern Challenge Wheeler Lake Decatur, Ala.

June 12-15 Bluegrass Brawl Kentucky Lake Gilbertsville, Ky.

June 26-29 Tennessee Triumph Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn.

July 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.

Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

KVD Holds Kentucky Lake Lead

Continuing his domination of fisheries in the Tennessee River Chain, three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., extended his lead to nearly 3 pounds Friday with a two-day total of 46 pounds, 6 ounces, at the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard® Platinum Marine Batteries. His nearest competitor, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn, weighed 24 pounds, 0 ounces, to build his two-day total to 43 pounds, 12 ounces.

Admittedly disappointed last week after missing out on an Elite Series victory by just 8 ounces to West Virginia’s Jeremy Starks on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake, another fishery in the Tennessee River chain, VanDam is back for redemption this week.

In addition to his top position in the Elite event, VanDam continues to work towards his ultimate goal, scoring his fourth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. If VanDam continues to hold, he could take the top position in the race after this event as previous AOY leader Todd Faircloth is in a respectable 21st but will lose significant ground with VanDam’s success. Mike McClelland, who was in fourth in the AOY standing heading into the event, is third at Kentucky while Skeet Reese, the reigning AOY who is third in the standings, was 14th.

The top performer in the season-long AOY points race will take home $250,000. The standings also will determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers. The Classic is set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport, La., on the Red River.

A victory would earn VanDam, 39, $100,000 and push his career BASS earnings to nearly $3 million. It would also mark his 13th BASS victory and his fourth in Elite Series competition, the most for any angler since the format was created in 2006.

Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, June 21 at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins and real-time leaderboards can be accessed on http://www.Bassmaster.com.

“I’ve got a few places I’m trying to save,” said VanDam. “Tomorrow [Saturday] should be interesting. There are a few other tournaments scheduled and I just hope that it doesn’t get too crowded out there.”

Despite missing two big fish early in his competition day, VanDam, also a two-time Bassmaster Classic champion, was happy with his day. He started the day with a target of catching more than 20 pounds and satisfied his goal, catching 21 pounds, 9 ounces, upgrading his weight throughout the day.

He continued to throw a variety of baits in his typical run-and-gun style, moving from spot to spot in efficient fashion. His primary lure, a Strike King sexy shad, remained effective Friday and he will continue to utilize it throughout the tournament.

“A lot of guys have found the productive areas,” said VanDam. “But you have to fish the areas right to really catch them. Your bait has to hit at the right angle and your presentation is absolutely key here.”

Clunn is perhaps the only angler in the Elite field to have more credentials than VanDam. Though the 61-year-old is in the later stages of his career, Clunn, a 14-time BASS winner, proved he could still capitalize on a solid crankbait bite.

In addition to his four Classic titles, Clunn has 14 BASS victories, 31 Classic appearances and has earned nearly $2 million in BASS career earnings.

His 24-pound, 0-ounce, limit included the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 7-pound, 2-ounce lunker. He upgraded throughout the day, primarily throwing a crankbait, switching to a jig when the bite slowed.

“I’m trying to stay away from all of the boat traffic,” said Clunn of the considerable boats on spacious Kentucky Lake. “I feel that is the only way to win this tournament.”

McClelland, who dropped one place to third, had 39 pounds, 7 ounces. In fourth was Bradley Hallman of Norman, Okla., with 39 pounds, 7 ounces and fifth was Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., with 37 pounds, 4 ounces.

Elias received a bit of good news Friday. The BASS all-time four-day heavyweight record holder was awarded 1 pound of weight to his two-day total after being incorrectly penalized the amount on Thursday. Elias brought six fish to the weigh-in Thursday and per BASS rules wasn’t allowed to weigh his largest fish. But BASS officials incorrectly assessed Elias an additional 1-pound penalty.

Other notable finishes include 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Mineola, Texas (18th), Elite rookie Clark Reehm of Russellville, Ark., (34th) and Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla., (41st), who finished in the cut for the eighth consecutive time in 2008. Only the top-50 anglers will fish Saturday with the top 12 moving on to Sunday, the final day of competition. 2006 Kentucky Lake Elite champion Morizo Shimizu of Japan missed the cut, finishing 55th.

In the co-angler division, Matt Hoffman of Highland Heights, Ky., held off some hard-charging competitors in the chase for the $25,000 top prize bringing his two-day total to 31 pounds, 9 ounces. Indiana’s Jason Seaton moved to second with 31 pounds, 4 ounces and Texan Michael Bass was third with 30 pounds, 7 ounces. The co-angler competition ends Saturday.

Straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Kentucky Lake is 185 miles in length, with 160,000 surface acres and 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley, a navigable canal, adds another 80,000 surface acres. The Bassmaster Elite Series made its last stop at Kentucky Lake in June 2006, when the top seven pros caught more than 60 pounds through four days. Winner Morizo Shimizu of Japan weighed in 66 pounds, 9 ounces.

Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Bluegrass Brawl will take place at Kentucky Dam Marina, 1300 Administration Drive. Launches Thursday-Sunday begin at 8 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 5 p.m.

Activities at the Bluegrass Brawl include a musical performance Saturday and Sunday afternoon by country artists Nashville Songwriters. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 p.m. both days, as well as Skeeter boat demo rides from noon to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, fans can talk to the Elite pros during “Ask the Experts” at Bassmaster University, set for 4:30 p.m. at the weigh-in site.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 4:30 p.m. CT of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan, ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show, which airs on Bassmaster.com, will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins begins at 5 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

The local sponsor of the Bluegrass Brawl is the Kentucky Sports Authority.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.

Location and Field
Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®
Kentucky Lake
Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 12-15, 2008

Field
107 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top-50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Kentucky Dam Marina
1300 Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, Ky.
8 a.m./ 5 p.m. CT

2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event Tournament Locations/Dates

March 6-9 Sunshine Showdown Harris Chain of Lakes Leesburg, Fla.
March 13-16 Citrus Slam Kissimmee Chain Lake Wales, Fla.

April 3-6 Lone Star Shootout Falcon Lake Zapata, Texas

April 10-13 Battle on the Border Lake Amistad Del Rio, Texas

May 1-4 Pride of Georgia Clarks Hill Lake Evans, Ga.

May 15-18 Carolina Clash Lake Murray Columbia, S.C.

June 5-8 Southern Challenge Wheeler Lake Decatur, Ala.

June 12-15 Bluegrass Brawl Kentucky Lake Gilbertsville, Ky.

June 26-29 Tennessee Triumph Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn.

July 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.

Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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