classic

Recap the 2026 Bassmaster Classic Expo

Beautiful weather greeted visitors on the opening morning of the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by TNT Fireworks.

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Photography by
David A. Brown
Beautiful weather greeted visitors on the opening morning of the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by TNT Fireworks
Eager show-goers lined up around the Knoxville Convention Center.
Long lines.
And more lines.
Many bass fishing fans arrived early.
Can’t wait for the doors to open.
Crowds wait outside the Expo entrance.
Almost time.
Life and Nation members check in.
The ribbon cutting officially opens the Expo.
The Sea Shanties hand out Progressive Insurance buckets.
There may have been an Abominable Snowman sighting.
Expo and good friends.
Souvenir Bassmaster Classic hats.
Lots of Classic shirts.
Gotta remember Knoxville.
The Expo aisles remained crowded from start to finish.
Crowds…
And more crowds.
Lots of deals at the Expo.
Picking out new lures.
Hideup Coike baits were one of the hottest tickets.
Lew’s reels
Daiwa reels helped Kyoya Fujita earn a Century Belt last year at Lake Fork.
Elite angler Chris Johnston designed Gamakatsu’s Outsider treble.
Four-time Classic winner Kevin VanDam
Hank Parker
Jimmy Houston 
Elite pro Joey Cifuentes
B.A.S.S. legend Roland Martin chats with Elite Jacob Foutz.
Randy Howell, 2014 Classic champ.
Elite Caleb Sumrall
Elite veteran Mark Menendez
Mike Iaconelli, the 2003 Classic winner.
The legendary Rick Clunn
Jason Christie
BassmastHer ambassador Anastasia Patterson signs autographs.
Anastasia with a future bass angler.
Steve Harvey is a big bass fishing fan.
Steve Harvey poses with fans.
Mr. Harvey shares a moment with a young fan.
How ‘bout the Knoxville Ice Breaker hockey team.
Gerald Swindle always has time for his fans.
Fans line up to see the G-Man.
Paw Patrol
Family lunch break
A young Bass Pro fan.
The Yokohama driving simulator was a big hit.
Expo visits are exhausting.
Each day, crowds lined up at every Expo entrance point.
Long lines brought great attendance.
The B.A.S.S. information booth was very helpful.
Thank you to our host.
More crowds…
…and more crowds.
Humminbird introduced a new content capturing and sharing tool.
Power-Pole’s new One Pump streamlines the shallow water anchor control.
Power-Pole’s innovative Vision.
Lewmar Axis on display.
T-H. Marine’s new HYDRA pumps.
Lowrance Ghost X trolling motor.
Dakota Lithium
Garmin Livescope simulations.
Yamaha outboards
Suzuki Marine
Beatdown Outdoors Zeroed-In transducer mount
Kastking’s casting zone
Young fishing fans found lots of outside fun.
The Super Retriever Series (SRS) Super Dock was a fan favorite.
Big jump!
Go get it!
Got it!
TNT Fireworks represent!
DJ Sillz kept the crowds pumped.
The Bassmster LIVE crew.
Mark Zona chats with fans.
The Zebco-sponsored kids fishing pond drew lots of young anglers.
Look at that concentration.
Family friendly outdoor fun.
The Bassmaster Classic shuttle kept B.A.S.S. fans connected.
And the crowds continue.
Progressive Insurance
Progressive Insurance games.
Turtlebox
Yamaha hats and shirts
Yamaha’s impressive pro staff.
Fans had fun at the TNT Fireworks booth.
Bassmaster Open pros Teb Jones and Darold Gleason sign up fans for Toyota Bonus Bucks.
Toyota 4Runner
Mike Iaconelli’s Toyota tow vehicle.
Yokohama
Skeeter Boats
Nitro Boats
Ranger Boats
Phoenix Boats
Bass Cat Boats
Vexus Boats
iKon Boats
Caymas Boats
Blazer Boats
Caleb Sumrall and XPress Boats
Mustang Survival
Whatever you do, don’t turn around!
Homemade fish lure earrings!
Melin hats
Serious bass fishing fan.
FXR’s FAST Flotation technology
AFTCO had lots of selection.
Bajio sunglasses
Hobie partnered with YETI for the Cleaner Water Challenge promotion.
Can-Am Defender
Newport Kayaks
Native Watercraft
Battery Tender
Pro-Guide Batteries
Making fishermen fishers of me.
Daiwa casting contest
U.S. Army outdoors team
Rapala Crush City
Rapala Claptail
DStyle Geelacanth
Rapala’s BIG fish bait.
It is about fish, after all.
Strike King’s tumbleweed.
Golden Belt Customs
Brown Bait Company
York & Co. Swimbaits.
Livingston Lures Rick Clunn Collection
Epic Baits had lots of bargains.
Netbait Bull Bream
KGB Swimbaits
Cutting-edge Yamamoto baits.
TADO custom baits
Clutch Swimbait Co.
Z-Man Baits
DHUKR Human dehooker tool
Elite pro Scott Canterbury with Buzbe
Cling tackle and gear magnets
Falcon rods
Cashion Icon Rods
Pitching practice at the St. Croix booth.
SEVIIN Reels
Frost Cutlery brought a selection of pocketknives.
Eugene Knives offered several different styles.
Team Pink
Space Force & U.S. Air Force
YETI
Bass University headwear
SITKA gave visitors an opportunity to test the Gore-Tex rain wear’s water resistance.
Maxam Tire gave away baseballs.
The TVA promotes its boating safety video.
Coosa Cotton
Apples Gone Wild
Big memories made at the Expo. 

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