A look back at the 2013 Classic

A look back at the 2013 GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The site of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic will play host to the 2016 Classic – Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees. The BOK Center will once again roar with thousands of crazy B.A.S.S. fans.
The site of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic will play host to the 2016 Classic – Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. The BOK Center will once again roar with thousands of crazy B.A.S.S. fans.
Tulsa is a beautiful city and B.A.S.S. can't wait to get back there.
Tulsa is a beautiful city and B.A.S.S. can’t wait to get back there.
This photo gallery provides a look back at the 2013 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
This photo gallery provides a look back at the 2013 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
The BOK Center is a wonderful venue for the Classic.
The BOK Center is a wonderful venue for the Classic.
When B.A.S.S. arrived in 2013, Tulsa was a little different than expected.
When B.A.S.S. arrived in 2013, Tulsa was a little different than expected.
On the official Practice Day, we were treated with a light dusting of snow.
On the official Practice Day, we were treated with a light dusting of snow.
Before the Convention Center opened, it was all gone.
Before the Convention Center opened, it was all gone.
Some anglers, like Mike Iaconelli, paid it no mind.
Some anglers, like Mike Iaconelli, paid it no mind.
David Walker had some fun during practice.
David Walker had some fun during practice.
Brandon Card even tried some for a snack.
Brandon Card even tried some for a snack.
The Classic trophy sat at the front of the room for the angler meeting.
The Classic trophy sat at the front of the room for the angler meeting.
The anglers gathered in Tulsa, and Tournament Director Trip Weldon went over the rules for Grand Lake, which were complicated with an abundance of no-wake zones.
The anglers gathered in Tulsa, and Tournament Director Trip Weldon went over the rules for Grand Lake, which were complicated with an abundance of no-wake zones.
Matt Lee qualified for the 2013 Classic by winning the College Classic Bracket. For 2016, Matt Lee missed a Classic berth after finishing 65th in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race.
Matt Lee qualified for the 2013 Classic by winning the College Classic Bracket. For 2016, Matt Lee missed a Classic berth after finishing 65th in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race.
That wall is holding up some B.A.S.S. bigwigs – Jim Sexton, Steve Bowman and Dave Mercer.
That wall is holding up some B.A.S.S. bigwigs – Jim Sexton, Steve Bowman and Dave Mercer.
Brent Chapman, the 2012 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, spoke at the annual Night of Champions dinner.
Brent Chapman, the 2012 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, spoke at the annual Night of Champions dinner.
At Media Day, pros like Alton Jones talked to hundreds of members of the press about bass fishing's biggest event.
At Media Day, pros like Alton Jones talked to hundreds of members of the press about bass fishing’s biggest event.
Or they do this. Mike Iaconelli is always ready to ham it up.
Or they do this. Mike Iaconelli is always ready to ham it up.
But before they do that, they do what Gerald Swindle is doing here – chowing down on some Oklahoma BBQ.
But before they do that, they do what Gerald Swindle is doing here – chowing down on some Oklahoma BBQ.
Day 1 takeoff at Wolf Creek was a packed affair despite very cold temperatures.
Day 1 takeoff at Wolf Creek was a packed affair despite very cold temperatures.
Just like the 2015 Classic, cold temperatures didn't slow down the chase for the Classic.
Just like the 2015 Classic, cold temperatures didn’t slow down the chase for the Classic.
The aerial view of bass boats blasting along Grand Lake was something to behold.
The aerial view of bass boats blasting along Grand Lake was something to behold.
The cold weather did mean that sometimes it was hard to tell who's who. Here's Marty Robinson from South Carolina bundled up.
The cold weather did mean that sometimes it was hard to tell who’s who. Here’s Marty Robinson from South Carolina bundled up.
Who's this guy?
Who’s this guy?
It's Chris Lane and his best friend, a heater.
It’s Chris Lane and his best friend, a heater.
Despite it being cold, the fishing was great. Mike McClelland had a great Classic, finishing fifth.
Despite it being cold, the fishing was great. Mike McClelland had a great Classic, finishing fifth.
Hank Cherry put a lot of people on notice with a strong first Classic, finishing third. It would be a good year for Hank, who was Rookie of the Year for 2013 on the Elite Series.
Hank Cherry put a lot of people on notice with a strong first Classic, finishing third. It would be a good year for Hank, who was Rookie of the Year for 2013 on the Elite Series.
But this was Cliff Pace's show.
But this was Cliff Pace’s show.
At the weigh-in, the usual suspects were there...
At the weigh-in, the usual suspects were there…
...entertaining the crowd.
…entertaining the crowd.
Dave Mercer was in attendance, and so was a giant cutout of his head.
Dave Mercer was in attendance, and so was a giant cutout of his head.
2013 was the year of PSY's
2013 was the year of PSY’s “Gangnam Style.” It’s a safe bet this won’t be playing in the arena in 2016.
Cliff Pace was in the lead after the first two days of competition.
Cliff Pace was in the lead after the first two days of competition.
Hank Cherry was not intimidated by the big stage and bright lights in his first Classic.
Hank Cherry was not intimidated by the big stage and bright lights in his first Classic.
Mike Iaconelli was tied with Cliff Pace after Day 1, but fell a little bit short. Still a very respectable fourth place finish by Ike.
Mike Iaconelli was tied with Cliff Pace after Day 1, but fell a little bit short. Still a very respectable fourth place finish by Ike.
Another guy made a run and almost captured the Classic – Brandon Palaniuk.
Another guy made a run and almost captured the Classic – Brandon Palaniuk.
Brandon finished in second place, but secured a lot of new fans with his passion.
Brandon finished in second place, but secured a lot of new fans with his passion.
But this was Cliff's Classic.
But this was Cliff’s Classic.
Cliff Pace never let up, bringing in 54 pounds compared to Brandon Palaniuk's 51.
Cliff Pace never let up, bringing in 54 pounds compared to Brandon Palaniuk’s 51.
Cliff was set on getting this trophy...
Cliff was set on getting this trophy…
...and he did.
…and he did.
Cliff Pace celebrated his win, as is Classic tradition, by circling the arena floor with his wife. Cliff and Brana were thrilled to receive a sizable check and add another trophy to the shelf. In just over two weeks, another quest for a GEICO Bassmaster Classic win begins in Tulsa on Grand Lake O' the Cherokees!
Cliff Pace celebrated his win, as is Classic tradition, by circling the arena floor with his wife. Cliff and Brana were thrilled to receive a sizable check and add another trophy to the shelf. In just over two weeks, another quest for a GEICO Bassmaster Classic win begins in Tulsa on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees!