54th annual Bassmaster Classic starts today at Grand Lake

A group of 56 of the world’s top bass anglers will compete in the 54th annual Bassmaster Classic, which is taking place today through Sunday on Grand Lake.

In what has been described as the most diverse group of anglers who have qualified, this year’s field ranges from seasoned veterans, such as 18time classic qualifier Greg Hackney from Louisiana to Jason Christie, who is making his 10th classic appearance with career earnings of greater than $1.9 million to 17-year-old Floridian Aaron Yavorsky (the youngest participant in Classic history).

While perhaps not as well-known a Classic qualifier, Luke Palmer of Coalgate has been a professional for four years and considers Texoma as his home lake. Although he has not achieved a “Classic” status, Palmer has amassed a career earnings of $612,683.

Often referred to as the premier event of bass fishing, a first-place win can catapult a fisherman’s career by winning the $300,000 prize and a total purse of more than $1 million which can help solidify an angler’s career.

Defending Classic champion Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Canada, will be looking to win back to back championships a feat that has only happened to four other anglers. Rick Clunn 1976-77, Kevin Vandam 201011, Jason Lee 2017-18 and Hank Cherry 2020-21, respectively.

This will be the third time the event has taken place on this beautiful body of water located in the foothills of the Ozarks.

During the first Tulsa Classic in March 2013, fishermen braved icy conditions along with temperatures hovering in the single digits.

Mississippi angler Cliff Pace led the event wire to wire but found himself tied after the first day with Michael Iaconelli. At the end, Pace’s closest competition was the reigning Progressive Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk of Rathbone Idaho, who managed to finish a respectable second place — seven pounds behind Pace.

The 2016 Classic was an event for the ages with two Oklahoma anglers going toe to toe in epic fashion. Local favorite Jason Christie of Welling led Days 1 and 2 and seemed destined to win his first Classic trophy when fellow angler Edwin Evers of Talala came in with a monster bag of five fish weighing 28 pounds, three ounces.

According to a blog by Toby Lapinski, he mentions that BASS officials will have daily weigh-ins at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be across the street at the Cox Business Center, which has 275,000 square feet of event space.

Put on in collaboration with BASS, the Tulsa Sports Commission and ASM Global, this event will generate thousands of dollars in revenue for local businesses, eateries, hotels and tourism.

“I am thrilled that the Bassmaster Classic has returned to northeast Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said. “When we last hosted the Super Bowl of bass fishing in 2016, the competition brought 107,000 visitors and a $30-million economic impact, and we expect this year to be even bigger. This event is a great opportunity to show off Oklahoma as a fishing and outdoor recreation destination, and highlight the best fishing trail in the country — the Oklahoma Fishing Trail.”

Fans are encouraged to attend the daily boat launches set for 7:15 this morning which will happen at the world-class Wolf Creek Park Boat Ramp and Fishing Facility, located 963 N. 16th Street near Grove.

Having recently spent a morning observing Christie and his use of forward facing sonar which was nothing short of amazing, Christie went on to say any “prior knowledge or advantage he may have had leading up to the Classic was gone.”

When it comes right down to it, give me the years of experience on a body of water with a smidge of technology thrown in, and I’m happy.

When it comes to the latest in technology, call me old school but I would be hard pressed to overlook years of knowledge, experience and wisdom when it comes my way.

I look forward to serving in the press pool and getting some oneon- one time with many of the contestants.

See you at the weigh-ins.

• • • John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by e-mailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.