We're glad you're here. Whether you're a member or just a visitor to our site, we're pleased and honored that you've joined us for our 40th anniversary celebration.
The new year marks a special time for us here at BASS. In 1968 Ray Scott incorporated the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and changed the world of sportfishing forever.
In the 40 years since Scott founded BASS, we've accomplished a great deal, and we're justifiably proud of it. We're equally excited about where we're going and what we'll be doing in the next four decades.
One of the first landmark accomplishments of the organization was the publication of Bassmaster Magazine, still the worldwide authority on bass fishing.
In 1971, Scott began the definitive championship of bass fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. In less than two months, the 38th annual Classic will take place on South Carolina's Lake Hartwell.
Catch-and-release took off in the world of bass fishing largely because of BASS' Don't Kill Your Catch program and the advent of the first catch-and-release tournament in 1972.
BASS has been in the vanguard of sponsoring and supporting legislation that protects our resources and bass habitat. The BASS Federation Nation, formed in the earliest days of BASS, has been our grassroots connection to the anglers who love the sport and care for its future.
Our youth programs, including CastingKids and the Junior World Championship, have awarded millions in scholarships. The Women's Bassmaster Tour is taking women's participation in the sport to new and unprecedented levels. Our television programming on ESPN continues to introduce thousands of outdoors lovers to our sport.
In the coming year, Bassmaster.com will detail these and other stories and tell the tale of the world's largest fishing organization, its history and heroes. We hope you'll check in regularly to learn more about where we've been and where we're going.