Classic XXXVII —Feb. 23-25
Birmingham, Ala. — It took 37 years and dozens of tries, but in 2007 an angler from the state hosting the Bassmaster Classic finally broke through and won it. Classic rookie Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., had fished Lay Lake before, but was hardly considered the local favorite. Nevertheless, he managed to best the field of 50 anglers with a three-day total of 48-10.
Duckett fished a Rat-L-Trap early in the day to catch his limit, then he pitched and flipped a Berkley Chigger Craw to catch larger bass with which he culled. His plan worked to perfection as he caught the biggest bass on both the first and final days of the event. His 8-2 largemouth on Day 1 was the biggest fish of the tournament.
For the win, Duckett credited not only his game plan and equipment but also his lucky red shoes. The affable Alabamian rationed his footwear to maximize the production of his best red shoes, a pair of Nike Shox that he wore on the first and final days, both of which he led and caught the daily big bass.
Daily big bass winners at the first Classic earned $100 per pound and cashed in their prizes at the Union Plaza Hotel Casino.