The Classic in black and white

See the Classic from a new perspective.

Take a special look back at the Classic with the contrast and clarity of the oldest photo trick in the book, black and white images. Steve Bowman and James Overstreet looked at the thousands of photos they (and others) took, and created this special look at the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Take a special look back at the Classic with the contrast and clarity of the oldest photo trick in the book, black and white images. Steve Bowman and James Overstreet looked at the thousands of photos they (and others) took, and created this special look at the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Greenville, S.C., rolled out the green carpet for the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, but Mother Nature showed nothing but cold, ice and snow.
Greenville, S.C., rolled out the green carpet for the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, but Mother Nature showed nothing but cold, ice and snow.
The magnitude of the event coupled with the weather had every angler in the field, wearing their own brand of game face.
The magnitude of the event coupled with the weather had every angler in the field, wearing their own brand of game face.
Some of them even looked similar.
Some of them even looked similar.
All of them had one goal in mind.
All of them had one goal in mind.
Even the reigning Angler of the Year was ready for the game to start.
Even the reigning Angler of the Year was ready for the game to start.
But before that, television interviews would have to take place.
But before that, television interviews would have to take place.
A little showing off of the Champion’s ring by Randy Howell would take place.
A little showing off of the Champion’s ring by Randy Howell would take place.
But they would all come back to the game face.
But they would all come back to the game face.
Sponsors would provide gifts.
Sponsors would provide gifts.
And former champions would shell out a few laughs.
And former champions would shell out a few laughs.
The focus, though, would always come back to the business at hand.
The focus, though, would always come back to the business at hand.
And the game faces would return.
And the game faces would return.
The focus on the prize of being a Classic champion never left the air.
The focus on the prize of being a Classic champion never left the air.
Not even for those who had won the event before.
Not even for those who had won the event before.
And  especially for those who had never fished for it.
And especially for those who had never fished for it.
And Bill Lowen would be almost prophetic by guessing the winning weight within an ounce.
And Bill Lowen would be almost prophetic by guessing the winning weight within an ounce.
By Day One, all of the gear and more was ready to go.
By Day One, all of the gear and more was ready to go.
From the air, the tournament looked like many others.
From the air, the tournament looked like many others.
Boats jockeying for position around a takeoff dock,
Boats jockeying for position around a takeoff dock,
While spectators jockeyed around the takeoff area.
While spectators jockeyed around the takeoff area.
From the air, the weather looked balmy.
From the air, the weather looked balmy.
And over the dock, it could have been any early season event.
And over the dock, it could have been any early season event.
Just like any event boats were bunched up and ready to go.
Just like any event boats were bunched up and ready to go.
Anglers were all smiles from the warmth of their truck.
Anglers were all smiles from the warmth of their truck.
And launches were full of excitement.
And launches were full of excitement.
Every angler getting ready for the start of a Classic.
Every angler getting ready for the start of a Classic.
But it wasn’t your typical event. Ice and snow covered some boats.
But it wasn’t your typical event. Ice and snow covered some boats.
And anglers were covered from head to toe.
And anglers were covered from head to toe.
The only time you could see bare skin was during the National Anthem.
The only time you could see bare skin was during the National Anthem.
While the cold kept everything bundled, the anglers never slowed getting ready.
While the cold kept everything bundled, the anglers never slowed getting ready.
Some even took the time to capture the moment on their phone.
Some even took the time to capture the moment on their phone.
The morning started with 8 degree temperatures.
The morning started with 8 degree temperatures.
And there were more helmets on hand than at a NASCAR event.
And there were more helmets on hand than at a NASCAR event.
Those without helmets found other ways to cover up.
Those without helmets found other ways to cover up.
And some doubled up on the cover.
And some doubled up on the cover.
No matter how cold, there was still work to be done.
No matter how cold, there was still work to be done.
Kevin Short was so covered you couldn’t tell who he was.
Kevin Short was so covered you couldn’t tell who he was.
And you still had to take your gloves off to work a touch screen.
And you still had to take your gloves off to work a touch screen.
Moving around a boat wasn’t easy
Moving around a boat wasn’t easy
Takahiro Omori shivered a bit.
Takahiro Omori shivered a bit.
And Skeet Reese’s breath was obvious,
And Skeet Reese’s breath was obvious,
While Casey Ashley waited in the truck for his turn to launch.
While Casey Ashley waited in the truck for his turn to launch.
And eventual Day 1 leader, Dean Rojas would wait to take off.
And eventual Day 1 leader, Dean Rojas would wait to take off.
As the time to takeoff neared, every angler was completely covered.
As the time to takeoff neared, every angler was completely covered.
And the boats were lined up.
And the boats were lined up.
By the start of the launch it appeared as if the single digits would keep everything at a slow pace.
By the start of the launch it appeared as if the single digits would keep everything at a slow pace.
But as soon as the competitors cleared it was pedal to the metal, despite the extreme cold.
But as soon as the competitors cleared it was pedal to the metal, despite the extreme cold.
The waves of a take off always creates spray, much of it that would cake on the back of some of the boats.
The waves of a take off always creates spray, much of it that would cake on the back of some of the boats.
It was a cold start to the Classic.
It was a cold start to the Classic.
But indoors, things were heating up with the start of the new Bassmaster Live.
But indoors, things were heating up with the start of the new Bassmaster Live.
Andy Montgomery would get the ball rolling with a fish catch right in front of the ramp.
Andy Montgomery would get the ball rolling with a fish catch right in front of the ramp.
The cold forcing him to keep blowing warm air into his hands.
The cold forcing him to keep blowing warm air into his hands.
The cold didn’t bother the fish, though.
The cold didn’t bother the fish, though.
And he quickly added another keeper to the well.
And he quickly added another keeper to the well.
The fish would be a precursor that everything in the natural world had not frozen to death.
The fish would be a precursor that everything in the natural world had not frozen to death.
Montgomery’s quick start would continue with another keeper
Montgomery’s quick start would continue with another keeper
And he would continue to work.
And he would continue to work.
And work.
And work.
But after three, the North Carolina angler would move on.
But after three, the North Carolina angler would move on.
Sponsor support was every where on the lake.
Sponsor support was every where on the lake.
But Day 1 belonged to Dean Rojas.
But Day 1 belonged to Dean Rojas.
Rojas focused on the lower end of the lake and was able to catch hefty keepers.
Rojas focused on the lower end of the lake and was able to catch hefty keepers.
Rojas pretty much had his area to himself.
Rojas pretty much had his area to himself.
And he worked it thoroughly.
And he worked it thoroughly.
Landing a limit of fish
Landing a limit of fish
That  weighed 21 pounds, 2 ounces.
That weighed 21 pounds, 2 ounces.
The big limit surprised some.
The big limit surprised some.
Rojas caught all of them relatively shallow.
Rojas caught all of them relatively shallow.
And finished the day 1-pound lead over Skeet Reese.
And finished the day 1-pound lead over Skeet Reese.
Day 2 would bring slightly warmer, but still cold conditions.
Day 2 would bring slightly warmer, but still cold conditions.
Even a 10 degree warm up wouldn’t take away the heavy clothes.
Even a 10 degree warm up wouldn’t take away the heavy clothes.
Helmets were still needed.
Helmets were still needed.
And those who didn’t have them wore balaclavas.
And those who didn’t have them wore balaclavas.
The Day 2 takeoff was as splashy as Day 1.
The Day 2 takeoff was as splashy as Day 1.
Fog rolled off the water.
Fog rolled off the water.
As boats piled through waves,
As boats piled through waves,
Headed out with intentions of making the top 25.
Headed out with intentions of making the top 25.
Boat races were much quicker.
Boat races were much quicker.
As anglers hoped to get in front of the spectators chasing the leader.
As anglers hoped to get in front of the spectators chasing the leader.
Dean Rojas would be the main point of interest.
Dean Rojas would be the main point of interest.
And even he had to fight the waves.
And even he had to fight the waves.
But Day 2 would belong to Takahiro Omori.
But Day 2 would belong to Takahiro Omori.
Omori made a short run every day
Omori made a short run every day
Within minutes he would be surrounded by Bassmaster television cameras.
Within minutes he would be surrounded by Bassmaster television cameras.
But he would stay focused.
But he would stay focused.
Catching enough weight...
Catching enough weight…
...to eventually pass Rojas in the standings.
…to eventually pass Rojas in the standings.
Catching most of his fish on a drop shot.
Catching most of his fish on a drop shot.
He said the process was really slow.
He said the process was really slow.
But that patience would pay off.
But that patience would pay off.
And he would prove his point.
And he would prove his point.
Bringing in hefty fish...
Bringing in hefty fish…
...that would eventually produce...
…that would eventually produce…
...one of hte heaviest stringers of the day.
…one of hte heaviest stringers of the day.
By day's end, Omori would have a 2 ounce lead over Rojas.
By day’s end, Omori would have a 2 ounce lead over Rojas.
And David Walker would be honored for saving a man’s life.
And David Walker would be honored for saving a man’s life.
By Day 3, only 25 boats would be left.
By Day 3, only 25 boats would be left.
The warmer temperatures created smiles all around.
The warmer temperatures created smiles all around.
But it was still warm enough to bundle up.
But it was still warm enough to bundle up.
Huge crowds showed up to see the final day take off
Huge crowds showed up to see the final day take off
And despite the cold,
And despite the cold,
The game faces returned.
The game faces returned.
There were smiling faces.
There were smiling faces.
And happy faces.
And happy faces.
And even big signs of joy.
And even big signs of joy.
And one angler with a smile that said “I got this figured out.”
And one angler with a smile that said “I got this figured out.”
Omori played to his native countrymen.
Omori played to his native countrymen.
But everyone else was all about the game face.
But everyone else was all about the game face.
Omori even transformed to his.
Omori even transformed to his.
While the crowds were huge,
While the crowds were huge,
The faces became more serious...
The faces became more serious…
...with every minute closer to time to start.
…with every minute closer to time to start.
Virtually every angler in the field felt like they had a chance.
Virtually every angler in the field felt like they had a chance.
The seriousness of the moment,
The seriousness of the moment,
Leading up to the next eight hours was evident all around.
Leading up to the next eight hours was evident all around.
Casey Ashley would lead the charge.
Casey Ashley would lead the charge.
Iaconelli followed not too far behind.
Iaconelli followed not too far behind.
Randy Howell would show flashes of big fish and big comebacks in the early hours.
Randy Howell would show flashes of big fish and big comebacks in the early hours.
Much like the 2014 Classic. But it never came together.
Much like the 2014 Classic. But it never came together.
Jacob Powroznik would cast his way into contention.
Jacob Powroznik would cast his way into contention.
Putting together a stringer that would take him from 19th to fifth place.
Putting together a stringer that would take him from 19th to fifth place.
And Bobby Lane would follow suit.
And Bobby Lane would follow suit.
Moving from 9th place to second with a big sack on Day 3.
Moving from 9th place to second with a big sack on Day 3.
And Michael Iaconelli would show signs of getting close.
And Michael Iaconelli would show signs of getting close.
It would be his second Classic victory.
It would be his second Classic victory.
But he would come up short and finish in 6th place.
But he would come up short and finish in 6th place.
...some in between.
…some in between.
He put together a plan that included some shallow fish,
He put together a plan that included some shallow fish,
...some deep fish and,
…some deep fish and,
The final day was all about Ashley.
The final day was all about Ashley.
He fished close by,
He fished close by,
and he fished far away.
and he fished far away.
He even used a homemade lure.
He even used a homemade lure.
All of it produced several keepers for him each day,
All of it produced several keepers for him each day,
and  built the heaviest bag of the day.
and built the heaviest bag of the day.
His final day weight of 20 pounds, 3 ounces,
His final day weight of 20 pounds, 3 ounces,
Was the second largest of the tournament.
Was the second largest of the tournament.
And kept him culling all day.
And kept him culling all day.
By the end of the day, all of the anglers were wiped out.
By the end of the day, all of the anglers were wiped out.
And some were disappointed in the outcome.
And some were disappointed in the outcome.
The pre-show included an American war hero.
The pre-show included an American war hero.
And a tribute to our fighting troops.
And a tribute to our fighting troops.
Along with appearances by the sport’s fishing heroes.
Along with appearances by the sport’s fishing heroes.
The Super Six was a who’s who in angling.
The Super Six was a who’s who in angling.
And Ashley entered the arena to a hometown crowd.
And Ashley entered the arena to a hometown crowd.
He started the day in fifth place and had to endure four anglers weighing after him.
He started the day in fifth place and had to endure four anglers weighing after him.
The Classic trophy sitting nearby as a reminder of what he was fishing for.
The Classic trophy sitting nearby as a reminder of what he was fishing for.
As soon as the weight was announced, Ashley was ecstatic.
As soon as the weight was announced, Ashley was ecstatic.
His stringer of fish had raised the level in the house.
His stringer of fish had raised the level in the house.
And especially those in front of the stage.
And especially those in front of the stage.
By the time he took the hot seat it was evident he knew he had it.
By the time he took the hot seat it was evident he knew he had it.
Dean Rojas would play to the crowd.
Dean Rojas would play to the crowd.
And last year’s champion would play with Ashley,
And last year’s champion would play with Ashley,
Before weighing his own fish.
Before weighing his own fish.
Takahiro Omori would be the last one who could beat him.
Takahiro Omori would be the last one who could beat him.
The two would gather at the stand as Trip Weldon readied to put the final fish on the scale.
The two would gather at the stand as Trip Weldon readied to put the final fish on the scale.
As soon as the weight was announced, Ashley was ecstatic.
As soon as the weight was announced, Ashley was ecstatic.
Pumping his fists.
Pumping his fists.
And receiving the trophy from Randy Howell.
And receiving the trophy from Randy Howell.
Ashley poses for a moment.
Ashley poses for a moment.
Then lifts the trophy high.
Then lifts the trophy high.
As confetti pours around him.
As confetti pours around him.
The crowd roared...
The crowd roared…
And the confetti continued to drop.
And the confetti continued to drop.
After sharing the moment with his son,
After sharing the moment with his son,
Ashley takes the customary champion’s ride around the arena, and the 45th Classic is history.
Ashley takes the customary champion’s ride around the arena, and the 45th Classic is history.