Harold Allen through the years

Harold Allen’s standout B.A.S.S. career began in 1974, making him one of the pioneers of modern-day tournament angling. Over his three-decade career, Allen competed in 264 tournaments. That’s no doubt the reason why Allen was affectionately referred to as “The Legend.”

Consistency was Allen’s standout angling attribute. He finished 114 times in the money, with 104 Top 30 finishes, 72 Top 20s, 38 Top 10s and one tournament win.

Allen honed his angling skills early on at Toledo Bend, which back in its early heyday in the 1970s was a haven for some of the nation’s top bass guides. Specifically at mid-lake where the top names were based in Hemphill, Texas. A cadre of guides emerged as powerhouse anglers on the B.A.S.S. tour due to their considerable time spent on the big bass fishery. Most of them fished over 200 days each year, keeping them sharp regardless of where the tour stopped.

Ray Scott, B.A.S.S. president and tournament emcee, collectively called that group of anglers the “Hemphill Gang” with Allen as a founding member. Others included Tommy Martin and Larry Nixon, both of whom won Bassmaster Classic titles, and John Torian and Jon Hall.

The Hemphill Gang gained a lofty reputation for frequently appearing at the Classic from the 1970s into the 1980s. That included Allen, pictured here at the 1981 Classic held on the Alabama River in Montgomery, birthplace of B.A.S.S.

Allen finished second by less than a pound to winner Stanley Mitchell at the 1981 Classic.

Overall, Allen competed in 15 Classics from 1977 through 2004, which is a remarkable feat.

Well into his storied career, Allen finished third in 2003 and fourth in 2001. His final Classic was in 2004.

Allen’s time spent as a Toledo Bend guide allowed him to hone his top skill, which was fishing deep water structure with a plastic jig or skirted jig.