The 2017 Bassmaster season offered up so many intriguing story lines, it’s hard to pinpoint the best one. But the Daily Limit winnowed down a list of favorite posts. In honor of the holidays, we’re going with the 12 Dailies of Christmas as a wrap on the year.
Not coincidentally, each article seems to document bass fishing’s headliners and major happenings, like the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, the Toyota Angler of the Year and the Elite Series. Some were just good stories.
So, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Enjoy.
Instances that killed Classic bids
We start not with those who qualified for the 2017 Classic, but the tales of woe from the first four anglers who failed to make it.
While last-man in Andy Montgomery reveled in his 11th-hour catches to qualify, there were four anglers within striking distance who lamented the single instance in the Elite season that killed their shot. Keith Poche, Fred Roumbanis, Tommy Biffle and Chris Lane, who all finished within seven points of a bid, picked off the scab to provide painful moments of their Classic close culls.
Olympics to Classic, get Eric Lopez
Eric Lopez, the director of event operations at B.A.S.S., has a resume that flashes some impressive venues, like Olympics and World Cup Soccer, among others.
So how did this inner city Chicago kid end up setting up Bassmaster venues for nearly two decades? Check out, “In any event, Lopez.”
Max Leatherwood left quite a legacy
B.A.S.S. lost a beloved friend in Max Leatherwood. He was 63. Bassmaster senior writer Bryan Brasher summed up what most of those who crossed paths with Leatherwood felt.
“There are probably a lot of pro fishing fans who never met Max Leatherwood. But he played an incredibly important role behind the scenes at tournaments as a B.A.S.S. contract employee — and he was one of the nicest, hardest-working guys I’ve ever met in the industry. He lost his battle with cancer this morning. For once, I hope he’s somewhere resting easy.”
There’s more of what Leatherwood did and how highly people thought of him in Sun shines on Max.
Scott marks 50 years since first event
The 50th anniversary of B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott’s first tournament was June 5, and the Daily Limit looked back at the 1967 All-American Invitational Bass Tournament and how that single event on Arkansas’ Beaver Lake launched what we have today.
There were setbacks that Scott needed to hurdle just to put on his first tournament, and we examine the story of his inspiration and how Dr. Stanley Applegate and Clyde A. Harbin Sr. played significant roles in making it a success. See 50 years since Scott’s first tournament.
And it won’t be long before B.A.S.S. begins presenting content for its 50th anniversary, which began in January 1968 when Scott’s dream began to come into fruition as he started signing anglers up for membership.
College cashes in with first Classic winner
The idea behind college bass fishing competitions came from a curious statistic showing kids in that age group quit fishing for a awhile. David Healy was working at JM Associates, and he pitched a college circuit to the powers. In fact, he was so insistent, Jerry McKinnis finally said, “Go do it.”
Healy, who was working in Houston during the Classic, was pleased as punch he got to see Jordan Lee, a product of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, win the title.
“It’s gratifying to see a kid come through that system … and he probably has no earthly idea how it started,” said Healy, who detailed those efforts in “College cashes in.”
Ike continues longest active Classic streak
By the hair on his chinny-chin-chin — that’s how Mike Iaconelli reached his 17th consecutive Classic.
“It’s amazing what just happened,” Ike said. “I had mentally sort of checked out when it looked like I wouldn’t be at the Classic next year.”
But Ike can make plans to be at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell, as well as fish better next Elite season so he isn’t the last man in again. Check out the circumstances in “Ike’s Classic streak lives.”
Swindle makes ‘em laugh, cry
Sure, Gerald Swindle’s speech for his second Toyota Angler of the Year title was much-anticipated, but it wasn’t a quick thank you and out, like most promise. G-Man did the opposite for his “Night of Champions” address during Classic Week in Houston.
“I’ve waited 12 years to get back up here,” he said. “You can lean back and pour some drinks. I might be here awhile. (Kevin) VanDam’s the only one who gets tired of making this speech, not me.”
Read what else Swindle had to say to make the people laugh and cry.
That Idaho kid claims first AOY
Brandon Palaniuk came onto the bass scene like gangbusters in 2011, winning the B.A.S.S. Nation title and jumping feet first into the Elites. It always appeared he’d do big things, and he has with three Elite trophies.
But six years in and “The Prodigy,” broke through big time with the 2017 AOY. Palaniuk holds this philosophy: “I want to come out here and respect everybody, and love ’em and kick their teeth in.”
Connell collects fans with soliloquy
In adding an Elite win to his 2015 Opens victory, Dustin Connell gained a lot of fans, and it wasn’t just because he held off Kevin VanDam. Connell, in his rookie Elite season, gained followers in part because of his fishing and his running monologue in the final minutes of Bassmaster LIVE.
“I don’t think I did it,” the self-doubting Connell said. “He’s probably got a giant bag. If he wins, it is what it is … I mean he’s King Kong, there ain’t no doubt, dude.”
Click the link for more of his mesmerizing soliloquy.
JoLee completes record Classic comeback
Let this simple statement sink in again: Jordan Lee completed the biggest comeback in Classic history on Texas’ Lake Conroe.
After Day 1, the 25-year-old felt he had no shot as he stood 37th with three fish for 8 pounds, 6 ounces. He was one fish better on Day 2, climbing to 15th place but still 13-14 back of the lead.
“I thought there was no way, no way going out today I had a shot at winning this,” he said after weighing 27-4 for his winning total of 56-10. See how the greatest climb in bass fishing history went down in “Totally be-Lee-vable.”
Svebek’s resurrection fulfills lifelong dream
Speaking of comeback stories, there is probably none bigger than the resurrection of Carl Svebek III. His qualifying for a Bassmaster Classic hit home for anyone who roots for the little guy (no pun intended).
Some eight years ago, Svebek had quit tournament fishing — for the second time — and thought he’d never compete again. The tears of joy flowed when he won the Bass Pro Shops Central Open as he fulfilled his lifelong goal of reaching a Classic.
“I never in my wildest dreams,” said the short of stature Svebek. “I’ve just been on Cloud Nine over all this.”
Family ties tight with VanDams, Zonas
The top story of the year is appropriate for the family nature of the holiday season, and giving time and support to your fellow man.
There’s a special bond between KVD and show host Mark Zona, and one surmised years ago that it had to go much deeper than just fishing. On the eve of a spectacular Zona LIVE featuring KVD, Zona and his wife, Karin, opened up a rather private and trying time in their lives.
Their twin boys were born premature, struggling to survive in the neonatal intensive care unit. The VanDams came to their side, offering guidance and hope as they went through the exact same experience with their twins. Today the families spend as much time together as they can, and that bond is more than “friends.”
“I know this is going to sound crazy – he’s been like an older brother,” Mark Zona said. “He’s given me life advice, he’s given me business advice, and I owe him for just being an older brother.”
Read KVD, Zonas family ties.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.