Fishing News - 7/14/00
Bassmasters Classic Info
From BASS
Facts About the BASS Masters Classic'
Food for Thought for Windy City Extravaganza
CHICAGO, Ill. - Here are some interesting stories and facts from the thirty
year history of the BASS Masters Classic'.
o Chicago is the third northern site to host the Classic. The other
northern venues were New York's St. Lawrence River in 1980 and the Ohio
River in Cincinnati in 1983.
o Missouri pro Rick Clunn holds the record for most Classic victories with
four. Three others (George Cochran, Hank Parker and Bobby Murray) have won
two Classics.
o Clunn is competing in his 27th consecutive Classic, an amazing
accomplishment. He has never missed qualifying for the Classic in his
entire career (which began in 1974). Other contenders with impressive
Classic track records include Larry Nixon (22), Gary Klein (19), Cochran
(18), Woo Daves (15), Ron Shuffield (12) and Kevin VanDam (who has made the
Classics in each of his 10 seasons).
o There are six B.A.S.S. Anglers of the Year competing in the Chicago
Classic, including this year's winner Tim Horton: Clunn, Nixon, Davy Hite,
Klein, and VanDam.
o Including reigning champion Davy Hite, there are five past Classic
winners in this event: Clunn, Nixon, Cochran, and Dion Hibdon.
o Norio Tanabe and Kotaro Kiriyama aren't the first Japanese pros to
qualify for the Classic. Toshinari Namiki made it in 1997.
o The late Bryan Kerchal is the only representative of the B.A.S.S.
Federation ranks to ever win the Classic. A few months after winning the
1994 Classic in North Carolina, the young Connecticut pro died in a plane
crash in the same state where he had enjoyed his biggest career moment.
Two other Federation anglers have come close, though: Danny Correia
finished within 6 ounces of winning the 1986 Classic, while Dalton Bobo
fell 1 ounce short in 1997
o Rick Clunn holds the distinction of enjoying the largest winning weight
in Classic history (21 bass weighing 75 pounds, 9 ounces) in 1984.
Runner-up Greg South of Virginia was well back despite catching more than
50 pounds of Arkansas River bass.
o George Cochran owns the dubious distinction of bringing the smallest
Classic-winning weight to the scales (14 bass weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces)
on the Ohio River in 1987.
o Georgia's Stanley Mitchell is the youngest Classic champion. He was 21
when he won the 1981 title.
o Charlie Reed of Oklahoma was the oldest Classic winner at age 53 when he
took top honors in 1986.
o The two closest Classic finishes ever: Dion Hibdon edged Dalton Bobo by a
single ounce in 1997; 2 ounces separated Hank Parker and Jim Bitter in
1989.
o The first Classic, held in 1971, was staged on Lake Mead near Nevada and
was won by Bobby Murray of Arkansas. There were a dozen members of the
outdoor media on hand to cover the event.
o The Classics in the decade of the 1990s have attracted as many as 300
members of the national and international media.
o The 1986 Classic, held in Chattanooga, Tenn., was the only Classic to
ever be televised live on a national broadcast.
o Today, the BASS Masters Classic is one of the most sought-after sporting
events in America. This year, the Classic is expected to have a $45 million
impact on the Chicago economy.
The 2000 Classic in Chicago:
During week of July 17-22, the Windy City will be site of the biggest
celebration in the sport of bass fishing. On Wednesday, Jackson Lake Park
will be the site of the Kids Klassic' contest (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and a
Meet the Pros Autograph session (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.).
McCormick Place will host the highly popular Classic Outdoor Show, which
attracts more than 130,000 visitors annually. This year's show is being
held in conjunction with American Sportfishing Association's annual ICAST
trade show - meaning that Classic visitors will enjoy a rare opportunity to
get a glimpse at all of the new fishing and boating products that will go
on the market in 2001.
For the second consecutive year, local and visiting fishing fans will also
be treated to an extra day of show attendance on Sunday after the Classic
competition has concluded. The show opens on Thursday and runs through
Sunday.
Soldier Field will host the three daily weigh-ins, which will include the
award-winning show that will crown the new Classic champion on Saturday.
Also, the annual BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS' national finals, sponsored by
Chevy Trucks and Zebco, will be held in McCormick Place at 1:00 p.m. on
Friday.
In addition, country music star Trisha Yearwood will perform a free concert
immediately after the 2000 Classic champion is crowned.
Sponsors of the 2000 BASS Masters Classic include: Ranger' Boats,
RangerTrail' Trailers, Mercury' Outboard, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco' Batteries,
Worldwaters.com, Humminbird' Electronics, Zercom' Marine, Pennzoil' Marine,
Flowmaster' Exhaust Systems, First USA Visa Card, MotorGuide' Trolling
Motors, Gore-Tex' Outerwear, GMAC Insurance, the state of Illinois and the
city of Chicago.
