Classic Fact
Bo Dowden, Stanley Mitchell, and Rick Clunn are the only anglers ever to win a Classic (1980, 1981, 1984) after leading both Day 1 and Day 2. Jay Yelas will be added to the list if he hangs on to win tomorrow.
Pro Tip
B.A.S.S. pros are on the road an average of 150 days a year. Towing boats to different venues is not only time consuming, but costly. Most touring anglers have found a way to keep money in their wallet instead of putting it in the gas tank. 2000 Classic champ Woo Daves installs a Flowmaster muffler system on his truck to keep costs down. "On my last four vehicles with Flowmaster mufflers, I've gained a mile and a half to three miles a gallon on gas -- at the end of the year that really adds up."
Don't Mess With Texas
When it comes to producing Classic competitors, the Lone Star State leads the nation with 212. The next closest state is Arkansas with 139. Texas also owns the record for the most Classic championships with 6.
A Classic Misnomer
The electric trolling motor is undoubtedly the most misnamed item on the Classic boats. That's because it isn't used for trolling at all, but rather to move or position the boat in response to the angler's every whim. It has been one of the most relied upon tools on a bass boat ever since MotorGuide introduced the first foot-control model with a retractable bow mount some three decades ago. The MotorGuide Tour 109 models on the 2002 Classic boats are over 5-times more powerful (109 pounds of thrust) than the ones used in the earliest Classics. MotorGuide is the oldest of the Classic sponsors, entering its 25th year.
Catch Of The Day
Texas pro Bud Pruitt hooked himself today when his crankbait flew out of the mouth of a bass. The treble pierced his shirt and lodged into his chest. Pruitt had to push the hook through the skin and cut off the barb to remove the bait. When asked about the extreme nature of the incident he replied, "It was just an average day on the water for me!"
Classic Cash Doubled
Last year Kevin VanDam won $100,000 for winning the Classic. This year, the champ will earn $200,000 for the win.