KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — If scientific evidence holds true, the 2019 and 2023 winning weights of 49 pounds, 3 ounces and 42-7 could be eclipsed at the 2026 Bass Pro Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Most significant is the minimum size reduction for keeper smallmouth from 18 to 15 inches. In fact, that reduced size limit is universal for smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass caught from the Classic waters of Fort Loudon on the Tennessee River and the connecting Tellico Reservoir.
In 2023 Jeff Gustafson noted his winning weight could have exceeded an additional 9 pounds from numerous 17-inch smallmouth caught during the three-day tournament. The same was likely true across the Classic field of anglers targeting smallmouth, recognized as the state’s official sport fish for producing five of the largest on record.
Another weight buster is in play with largemouth and specifically those inhabiting Fort Loudon. Florida-strain largemouth have been stocked there since 2015 and given that timespan the timing is right for those genetically bigger fish to hit the scales.
“We know of at least one 10-pounder that was weighed during a tournament in March 2025,” said John Hammonds, fisheries biologist for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
In 2000, the TWRA began stocking Florida largemouth bass downstream from Fort Loudon in Lake Chickamauga. The experiment worked, with the lake producing a state record largemouth weighing 15-3 caught in 2015. The stocking program was then expanded to Pickwick, Watts Bar and then Fort Loudon.
“We have sampled 8-pounders from Loudon, giving us every indication the program is working,” Hammonds said. “We’d sure like to see them cross the scales at the Classic.”
Fort Loudon is particularly favorable for growing largemouth and Florida-hybrids with its fertile riverine waters and shallow vegetation supporting ideal nursery habitat. The watershed’s overall drainage area encompasses parts of southwest Virgina and western North Carolina to keep nutrients flowing through the system.
The clearer, rockier and deeper water of Tellico are most favorable for smallmouth. Alabama spotted bass are there too and are hybridizing with the smallmouth. The offspring are confusing to identify which supports the decision to reduce the length limit.
In the 2019 and 2023 Classics, the minimum keeper size was 12 inches for spotted bass, 14 inches for largemouth and 18 inches for smallmouth. The standardized 15-inch minimum that went into effect last summer will certainly have more positive results for tournament weights.
“Anglers will be able to weigh in more of the overall smallmouth population with the 15-inch limit,” Hammonds said.
That will incentivize anglers to target more smallmouth, while seeking a kicker largemouth with the desirable Florida genes.
“I think this Classic will produce more weight based upon what we’ve seen, and it should be the biggest weigh-in we’ve had here,” Hammonds said. “I could be wrong, but I’m very optimistic.”
