The 2026 Bassmaster Classic is in the books and what an outstanding Classic it was.
Congratulations to Dylan Nutt, who became the first B.A.S.S. Nation angler to win a Classic since the late Bryan Kerchal.
Kerchal won 32 years ago and had his career cut short in a plane crash shortly thereafter. I fished with him and considered him a dear friend, but I’m sure he was smiling to see another Nation angler hold that prized trophy over his head.
Knoxville served as an excellent host in so many ways. The fishing exceeded expectations, and the venue provided easy access for visiting fans who packed the Bassmaster Outdoors Expo beyond belief.
As good as the competition and as accommodating as the Knoxville community was, the Classic spectacle was truly one for the record books. The TV coverage drew a record 6.5 million viewers on Fox Television, a 41% increase over the previous year.
And that doesn’t happen without a lot of good people and a ton of planning and hard work. As an angler, I knew there was a lot involved in producing a live TV show, the Expo and the weigh-in show, but I didn’t have a clue until I became involved as a commentator for Bassmaster TV. It takes about 150 people working for B.A.S.S. and JM Associates, the production company, and independent contractors to make it happen.
And the planning begins months before the event.
It takes more people to cover a Classic than is required to cover a baseball or football game, where the action is confined to a stadium. The Classic requires more people who must be mobile to follow the action and in a less controlled environment.
Essentially, there are four different locations — the fishery, the weigh-in arena, Expo and the TV set for commentators — that must be managed.
There are about 100 people who help produce Bassmaster LIVE and TV coverage alone. You have 10 cameramen, drone operators and on-the-water reporter Robbie Floyd providing the action along with Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona, Mike Suchan, Ronnie Moore and me handling the on-screen commentary.
At our TV site away from the fishery, there are another 25 lighting, sound and production professionals making sure what you see and hear on your screen is delivered smoothly. There is a production truck where on-the-water action and commercials are managed and coordinated so it all flows naturally.
And at the arena, where Emcee Dave Mercer does the weigh-in show, you’ll find 30 to 40 more people behind the scenes who are tasked with providing entertainment and excitement on stage.
Sure, it takes a lot of money to pull off a first-class event like what we had in Knoxville, but there’s no replacement for the hard work and dedication of those who make it happen.
I’m super proud to be a part of the biggest show and most prestigious bass fishing event in the world.
