Guntersville’s Classic history

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The dates are set and the hosts are announced ... the 50th Bassmaster Classic will return to the state where B.A.S.S. began. Competition will take place on Lake Guntersville, and Birmingham, Ala., will host the daily weigh-ins and the Bassmaster Classic Expo.
The dates are set and the hosts are announced … the 50th Bassmaster Classic will return to the state where B.A.S.S. began. Competition will take place on Lake Guntersville, and Birmingham, Ala., will host the daily weigh-ins and the Bassmaster Classic Expo.
The 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will be the third Classic on Lake Guntersville. The first was in 1976, and the second took place in 2014.
The 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will be the third Classic on Lake Guntersville. The first was in 1976, and the second took place in 2014.
It’s hard to imagine a more fitting spot for the 50th renewal of the event than Lake Guntersville, which has hosted 22 major B.A.S.S. events.
It’s hard to imagine a more fitting spot for the 50th renewal of the event than Lake Guntersville, which has hosted 22 major B.A.S.S. events.
Lake Guntersville is one of the most visited fishery in B.A.S.S. tournament history. The first B.A.S.S. event on Guntersville was the 1976 Classic.
Lake Guntersville is one of the most visited fishery in B.A.S.S. tournament history. The first B.A.S.S. event on Guntersville was the 1976 Classic.
Commentators on those early Classics were often heard to complain that no
Commentators on those early Classics were often heard to complain that no “big names” ever won the championship. They were hoping for a victory by Bill Dance, Roland Martin or Tom Mann … and they never came. What they failed to realize was that the Classic would create its own superstars, like Rick Clunn who won his first Classic in 1976 on Lake Guntersville.
In 2014, the daily takeoffs drew hundreds of the world's most rabid bass fishing fans.
In 2014, the daily takeoffs drew hundreds of the world’s most rabid bass fishing fans.
Current Bassmaster Elite Series pro Paul Mueller fished the 2014 Bassmaster Classic as a B.A.S.S. Nation angler. He finished second with an eye-popping catch of more than 32 pounds on Day 2.
Current Bassmaster Elite Series pro Paul Mueller fished the 2014 Bassmaster Classic as a B.A.S.S. Nation angler. He finished second with an eye-popping catch of more than 32 pounds on Day 2.
Guntersville is one of just seven lakes to produce Century Club catches — more than 100 pounds in four days of fishing with a five-bass creel limit — and it's done it five times. The first time it cracked the mark was in the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series event when four anglers all broke triple digits.
Guntersville is one of just seven lakes to produce Century Club catches — more than 100 pounds in four days of fishing with a five-bass creel limit — and it’s done it five times. The first time it cracked the mark was in the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series event when four anglers all broke triple digits.
Guntersville produced another Century Club entry a year later when the Elite event was won with 100-13. It marked the fifth time an angler broke 100 pounds on the lake. Only four other bodies of water have posted more Century Club entries (Falcon, Clear, Amistad and Santee Cooper).
Guntersville produced another Century Club entry a year later when the Elite event was won with 100-13. It marked the fifth time an angler broke 100 pounds on the lake. Only four other bodies of water have posted more Century Club entries (Falcon, Clear, Amistad and Santee Cooper).
Weigh-ins and the Classic Expo will be held 75 miles away from Lake Guntersville at the BJCC in Birmingham, Ala.
Weigh-ins and the Classic Expo will be held 75 miles away from Lake Guntersville at the BJCC in Birmingham, Ala.
Current Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are familiar with Birmingham, Ala., after most visited the city to prep for this year's tournament series.
Current Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are familiar with Birmingham, Ala., after most visited the city to prep for this year’s tournament series.
In 2014, huge crowds turned out in Birmingham for the Bassmaster Classic Expo ...
In 2014, huge crowds turned out in Birmingham for the Bassmaster Classic Expo …
... and were able to walk next door for the always exciting weigh-in spectaculars.
… and were able to walk next door for the always exciting weigh-in spectaculars.
Legacy Arena in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex was packed for weigh-ins during the 2014 Bassmaster Classic at Birmingham and Lake Guntersville, and crowds are expected to be even bigger in March 2020.
Legacy Arena in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex was packed for weigh-ins during the 2014 Bassmaster Classic at Birmingham and Lake Guntersville, and crowds are expected to be even bigger in March 2020.