Bassmaster Classic Rules
The Bassmaster Classic is the competition reserved for the elite black bass anglers. To have an entry ticket is already an incredible achievement since it is necessary to rank among the best competitors of the year. Once the ticket is in your pocket, the competition takes place over 3 days during which the objective is to rank. To do so, anglers must finish the first day in the top 50 and the second day in the top 10 or risk elimination.
The quota is limited to 5 fish per day, which will be weighed at the end of the day to determine the total weight. A fish must measure a minimum of 12 inches or 30.48 cm to be eligible. The winner will be the angler with the highest total weight of the 3 days of fishing, so consistency is very important. Competitors keep the fish in their boat's livewell, in the best possible conditions since a dead fish will not be counted. Each angler is supervised by a steward, directly on his boat to make sure that there is no cheating.
The Bassmaster Classic in a few figures
The Bassmaster Classic is simply $300,000 for the winner! Winning this prize, however, is no small feat, as the anglers are so experienced.
The current record for the biggest day for an angler is 32 lb 3 oz which is an impressive 14.6 kg in 5 fish. When you put into perspective the rarity of a fish over 3 kg in France, succeeding in having an average of nearly 3 kg in competition is very impressive! As for the biggest fish caught during the competition, it displays a gigantic 11 lb 10 oz or a 5 kg 270 fish.
This competition has been won up to 4 times by the same person, twice. The famous Kevin VanDam, in the 2000's, who you may know, as well as Rick Clunn in the 70's to 90's.
A new season
This year, the Bassmaster Classic will take place from March 24 to 26, 2023 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tennessee. On the program, 3 days of competition in which the winner of the 2022 edition, Jason Christie, will try to defend his title. Two Japanese anglers and an Australian angler will be the only competitors who will try to face the American domination on this competition.
For the past few years, the Bassmaster Classic has been held in late winter, a time when fine and precise fishing is particularly effective. The 2023 edition promises a great show, and you can watch it live to experience the intensity of the competition.
