The star-studded field accounts for 15 Bassmaster Classic titles, 18 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophies and more than 200 BASS victories.
Payne's relationship with the Federation Nation has been filled with plenty of camaraderie and sales opportunities.
An engineer by trade, Kane has been fishing his whole life and started competing in tournaments about 16 years ago. He joined the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation in 1991 and has made the Connecticut state team a couple times.
Dan Brovarney is a long time supporter of the Wisconsin Federation Nation, and he puts his money where his mouth is.
Fishing his Carolina rig Do Nothing worm along a sandbar, Chancellor caught seven-bass limits during the first hour of fishing each of the first two days.
The anglers had no idea where they'd be headed for the first championship.
One number that may haunt Martin is 25. That's how many times he qualified to fish the Bassmaster Classic and how many times he didn't win it.
Two future presidents of the United States assisted at the weigh-in, and several Classic records were broken.
Jelani "JJ" Hennessey hopes to fish all nine events in three Opens events as soon as his birthday comes around in January.