Tournament fishery: Lay Lake
Launch: Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp
Columbiana, AL
Host City: Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center
Dates: Feb. 19th- 21st, 2010
The “Classic” Experience
By Brian Brooks
Professional Bass Fisherman
Any New Jersey bass tournament angler will ask themselves the same thing when February comes around. What lakes can I go fish that aren’t frozen and if there are not any open lakes, what trip can we take for a few days to get the lines wet? Well, after a week of one of the biggest snowstorms on record here in New Jersey, I asked myself the same question. Where can I go to get away from this last week of “back-breaking” snow shoveling and plowing for hours on end? Where can I go to get those tournament juices flowing again? Is there such a place that will free my mind of the misery of not being able to be around tournament fishing for this whole month? My answer to that, there is such a place…The 2010 Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham, Alabama!
Between the hangover of losing professional football in the first week of February and not being able to find any open waters to fish, this event definitely will fill that void. The Bassmaster Classic is the “super bowl” of bass fishing. First place takes home $500,000 and thousands more in endorsement deals. It is where the top 51 tournament anglers in the world come together to put on a bass catchin’, adrenaline pumping, career changing event that kicks off the start of a long season of fishing memories for the B.A.S.S. Elite Series Tournament Trail.
In addition to the fishing event, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex hosted the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. This show featured everything you could imagine in the bass fishing industry. Fishing rods, reel, lures, boats, electronics and clothing apparel; companies from around the country were there to show off and demonstrate their new products for the 2010 season. (To find out more about some of the new and noteworthy products that caught my eye at the Classic, refer to the “2010 Classic Product Showcase”)
As the sport of bass fishing is growing its anglers still manage to be “in the action” and among the fans during these events. This is what makes the sport of bass fishing unique and separates us from other professional sports where athletes are overpaid and can’t manage the time to express their gratitude to the fans that support them. During the Classic Expo, everyone who attended, myself included, had the chance to rub elbows with some of the “legends” of the sport, such as Bill Dance, Larry Nixon, Jimmy Houston, Shaw Grisby, Hank Parker, Mike Iaconelli, and KVD. As well as all of the other B.A.S.S. Elite Series anglers that are there to demonstrate and showcase there companies products. I met up with New Jersey Federation Nation President John Radamski and Executive/ Conservation Director Mike Kamiskas at the event. The three of us had a few minutes to talk with B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott, which was one of my many highlights of attending the Classic.
Among the many legends and elite anglers of the sport of bass fishing was 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champ, 2006 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, 1998 Federation Champ, Mike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, New Jersey. Mike was a heavy favorite to win the 2010 Bassmaster Classic. As I walked through the Classic Expo and attended the final two days of the weigh-in at the arena, “Ike” was the name that echoed through the walls of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex and Arena. People say you either love him or hate him in bass fishing. Let me tell you something, in Alabama, the bass fishing capital of the world, there was nothing but love for “Ike”.
The first day of the tournament Mike weighed in his largest bag of the Classic, a 5 fish limit for 14 pounds, 9 ounces. He was in 7th place going into the second day. Most of his fish during the tournament were caught on a LazerLure crankbait and a 3 inch grub. Day 2 of the Classic is important. After two days the field of 51 anglers is cut down to 25, based on the there total weights for days one and two. As Iaconelli entered the arena, the crowd roared with applause and chants of “Let’s go Ike” and “Never Give Up” showered the stage. He pulled out his bag from the live-well, looked like a few lunkers in there. MikesDay 2 catch was a 4 fish limit for 12 pounds, 3 ounces. A great sack for a four fish limit, but that last keeper would have put him in a better position for the final day. The second day was tough for every angler due to the changing weather and water levels. I watched one after another step to the scales with one or two bass to weigh in, many coming in with zero. Mike had fought through it once again, never giving up, and making the 25 angler field to give him a chance to, yet again, win a Bassmaster Classic Trophy.
The Final Day was electric! Going into the final day of competition Iaconelli’s total weight was 26 pounds, 12 ounces. Landing him in 4thplace and giving him a great chance to once again bring the title of “Bassmaster Classic Champion” home to New Jersey. The arena was jumpin! A packed house of loud, passionate, and excited bass fishing junkies, friends and family made for a Final Day weigh-in that I would never forget. After 19 anglers jockeyed for that top spot in total weight to take home the title, it finally came down to six fishermen, which in Classic terms, are referred to as the “SUPER SIX”. (Mike Iaconelli, Jeff Kriet, Kevin VanDam, Todd Faircloth, Brent Chapman, and Russ Lane) Mike was the fourth angler to weigh in, with only two anglers (Jeff Kriet and KVD) between him and the most prestigious title in bass fishing. Never did I see Mike with such a straight face, almost like a statue on stage. He was focused, nervous maybe? No, not Mike, he wanted that trophy. They announce his name, the crowd went wild. His family, at the left of the stage, stand up to cheer and look on. Mike has a five fish limit. He puts his bag of bass on the scales. In the brief pause before the announcer says his weight, NEVER GIVE UP, the fans scream. Mike brings in a five fish limit of 10 pounds, 9 ounces the final day. And a three day tournament total of 14 bass with a total weight of 37 pounds, 5 ounces, landing him in 6th place and giving him two consecutive Top 10 finishes in the Bassmaster Classic, two years in a row. Kevin VanDam was crowned the 2010 Classic champ with over 45 pounds of bass in the three day event.
Free concerts before each days weigh-in, all access to meet your favorite bass fisherman and loads of merchandise giveaways make for a fan friendly getaway that doesn’t put a hole in your wallet. No matter what the level of fishing you enjoy. New Jersey Federation Nation member, B.A.S.S. Opens tournament angler, or just that “weekend warrior”, I highly recommend you see for yourself what the sport of bass fishing is really about. This year’s 2010 Bassmaster Classic inBirmingham, Alabama was an experience I will never forget. Spending the weekend with other friendly, down-to-earth, and experienced fisherman rejuvenated the already exhilarating passion I have for the sport of bass fishing. As the new season of tournament bass fishing is a breath away from us here in New Jersey, I will bring home the conversations, knowledge I’ve learned, and exciting new products with me to share with you throughout the year. Remember to take care of our New Jersey waterways, for one day, we may host this prestigious event they call “The Bassmaster Classic”!
- A special thanks to Stephanie from BASS PRO SHOPS,Indiana. You made my Classic Expo experience that much better with all the knowledge you shared with me about the bass fishing industry. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
-2011 Bassmaster Classic Host City: New Orleans, LA
