This year’s return to Knoxville for the Bassmasters Classic will likely change many fan’s perception of the fishing on this stretch of the famed Tennessee River. Knoxville has been widely applauded as one of the top Classic venues for the fans, the expo and proximity of everything to the fishery, but often has got dinged on the final report card for the tough fishing.
I am pretty confident that weights and catch rates will be much better on this visit to Knoxville for several reasons. Overall, the fishery seems to be on an upswing for size and numbers based on local tournament results and pre-practice reports from Classic anglers. On top of that, the smallmouth length limit has shifted from 18” to 15” since the previous Bassmaster events out of Knoxville, which should increase the number of limits brought to the scales each day and help anglers who want to focus on smallmouth to be more relaxed. On top of that, the field’s competency with how to best attack a prespawn fishery with forward-facing sonar should unlock new populations of bass for this event.
A 10-day weather outlook shows no major cold fronts leading up to the event should have water temperatures warm enough to get bass moving out of their wintering holes but mild enough to have some of them grouped up on their staging areas which should create some good fishing conditions and solid weights for this year’s pinnacle event.
If the steady warming trend continues there is a chance that we could see a big batch of fish push shallow to keep the offshore scopers honest and have a balanced event with multiple techniques and lures in play. If water temps stay moderate, we may see a strong presence of anglers targeting offshore bass with jighead minnows and other popular strolling techniques.
With all the new variables since 2023, I would not rely solely on past Knoxville Bassmaster results for picking your team.
BUCKET A: SMITH
It might be a risk to take a Bassmaster Classic rookie, but Tucker Smith has won two of the biggest payout tournaments in the sport not named the Bassmaster Classic in his young career. This feels like a strong matchup for him and his skill sets.
So close
If Easton Forthergill didn’t catch an 8-pound giant on the final day last year, we might be talking about Trey McKinney winning the Bassmaster Classic in his first attempt. McKinney is a very talented angler and I expect him to be in the mix in Knoxville. For that matter, Easton and Trey are both excellent options in Bucket A.
BUCKET B: LESTER
I have a lot of youth on my Fantasy lineup this year, but I cannot ignore that Brandon Lester got 6th in both previous Knoxville Classics. He knows the system well and should be able to put solid mixed bags together to be a factor again this year.
Another veteran
Will Davis Jr’s first Classic was at Knoxville, but this feels like a good matchup for him now that he is not hindered by the first Classic jitters.
BUCKET C: THOMPKINS
JT Thompkins has not been on the blistering pace that he was in his rookie year, but he is known to be an angler that puts his time in for pre-practice and he did make the Sunday cut in the 2023 Knoxville Classic. He is not getting much attention in Bucket C, but I think he could be a strong player here.
Redemption Pick
Cooper Gallant fished his first Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville in 2023 where he ended up in the bottom five, and with Gussy not being in the field, Gallant will be looking to bounce back and make sure Canada has a strong showing in Knoxville.
BUCKET D: NUTT
Young Fisher Anaya is getting all the buzz in bucket D and likely will be a factor in this event, but I think many Fantasy players are sleeping on Dylan Nutt. He is a very talented young angler with tons of TVA experience. He paved his way to this event via the B.A.S.S. Nation, but don’t be fooled by his short top level Bassmaster tournament resume, he has won many big events up and down the Tennessee river.
Under the radar
Wesley Gore is fishing his second Bassmaster Classic and he did not have the Alabama swing that he likely wanted, but I believe this event could be a really good matchup for his skill set and he could be a great value pick if you are looking for a sneaky pick.
BUCKET E: AOKI
Yui Aoki earned his berth to this Classic by winning a March Bassmaster Open on Kentucky Lake. The style of fishing used to win a prespawn Kentucky Lake should be a strong player in Knoxville as well.
Most Prepared
Chase Clarke was one of the first contenders to punch their ticket to this year’s premier event when he won an early season prespawn event on Clark’s Hill. So Clarke has had the most time to prepare, research and scout for his first Bassmaster Classic.
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
We are in stop three of season six of the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge. This additional Fantasy Fishing game not only offers a fresh way to play the game, but a completely separate prize pool. Drain the Lake is an elimination / survivor style game where you can only use an angler once all season.
For 2026 we will have 10 events and 101 anglers. You will need to use up 80 of the 101 anglers. The Bassmaster Classic is the one event where we get a few bonus anglers to use. Who are you locking in for the third event?
Here is my Bassmaster Classic Drain the Lake roster:
Yui Aoki
John Cox
Will Davis, Jr
Easton Fothergill
Wesley Gore
Caleb Hudson
Paul Marks
Dylan Nutt
