A look at Houston/Conroe Classic

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Here is the famed fishery for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods -- Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas, as photographed by 2014 Classic champ Casey Ashley before the off limits period.
Here is the famed fishery for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods — Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas, as photographed by 2014 Classic champ Casey Ashley before the off limits period.
Local favorite Keith Combs, who lives two hours up the road in Huntington, Texas, has found success on Lake Conroe. He’s won two Toyota Texas Bass Classics on the lake, and caught this 10-pound, 4-ounce lunker in last year.
Local favorite Keith Combs, who lives two hours up the road in Huntington, Texas, has found success on Lake Conroe. He’s won two Toyota Texas Bass Classics on the lake, and caught this 10-pound, 4-ounce lunker in last year.
Here’s a satellite shot of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States. That’s Galveston Bay feeding into the Gulf of Mexico. In the top left corner is Lake Conroe.
Here’s a satellite shot of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States. That’s Galveston Bay feeding into the Gulf of Mexico. In the top left corner is Lake Conroe.
Here is where the weigh-ins will be held, Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. It is home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros. The address is 501 Crawford St., but we don’t think you will have too hard of a time finding it. There are 25,000 parking spots within walking distance, so come on down and help us set some records.
Here is where the weigh-ins will be held, Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. It is home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros. The address is 501 Crawford St., but we don’t think you will have too hard of a time finding it. There are 25,000 parking spots within walking distance, so come on down and help us set some records.
Although it has a roof, this is the first time a Classic weigh-in will be held in an outdoor stadium since the Chicago Classic in 2000. The weigh-ins were held at Soldier Field and Lake Michigan was the fishery. If there’s inclement weather, like what’s forecast for Friday afternoon, the roof will close.
Although it has a roof, this is the first time a Classic weigh-in will be held in an outdoor stadium since the Chicago Classic in 2000. The weigh-ins were held at Soldier Field and Lake Michigan was the fishery. If there’s inclement weather, like what’s forecast for Friday afternoon, the roof will close.
Minute Maid Park, which opened in 2000, has one of the largest big screens in baseball. Called “El Grande,” the Daktronics HD scoreboard is 124 feet wide by 54 feet high. B.A.S.S. will put it to good use during the weigh-ins.
Minute Maid Park, which opened in 2000, has one of the largest big screens in baseball. Called “El Grande,” the Daktronics HD scoreboard is 124 feet wide by 54 feet high. B.A.S.S. will put it to good use during the weigh-ins.
No word on if the train will run for, let’s say, big fish, or a change in leaders. But the largest entrance to the park was once Union Station, so there’s a working train up above the left field wall for when an Astro hits a homer or they win. Oh, and the coal car if filled with giant oranges for, yes, Minute Maid.
No word on if the train will run for, let’s say, big fish, or a change in leaders. But the largest entrance to the park was once Union Station, so there’s a working train up above the left field wall for when an Astro hits a homer or they win. Oh, and the coal car if filled with giant oranges for, yes, Minute Maid.
Just blocks from the ball park is the George R. Brown Convention Center, which will house the Classic Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. It is located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas. The entrance to an underground parking lot is directly across from its main entrance.
Just blocks from the ball park is the George R. Brown Convention Center, which will house the Classic Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. It is located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas. The entrance to an underground parking lot is directly across from its main entrance.
This will be the largest expo ever, with more than 300,000 square feet of floor space and a record number of exhibitors. Deals will be great but be aware that Minute Maid Park has some guidelines from MLB on what can be brought into the facility. The expo is open later so fans can pick out deals, go see the weigh-in and go back after the weigh-in to buy their goodies.
This will be the largest expo ever, with more than 300,000 square feet of floor space and a record number of exhibitors. Deals will be great but be aware that Minute Maid Park has some guidelines from MLB on what can be brought into the facility. The expo is open later so fans can pick out deals, go see the weigh-in and go back after the weigh-in to buy their goodies.
The expo has a special preview at 10:30 a.m. CT Friday for B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members, among some other special groups. The general public may enter at noon. All B.A.S.S. events are free admission. The times are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The expo has a special preview at 10:30 a.m. CT Friday for B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members, among some other special groups. The general public may enter at noon. All B.A.S.S. events are free admission. The times are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
This is Avenida Plaza on the Discovery Green, right out in front of the GRB Convention Center. There will be a Bassmater Get Hooked on Fishing presented by Academy event there with activities like a Kid’s Fishing Pond, Dogs on the Dock and Casting Kids, among others. A place to let kids blow off some steam. (Nearby there are fountains they can cool off in).
This is Avenida Plaza on the Discovery Green, right out in front of the GRB Convention Center. There will be a Bassmater Get Hooked on Fishing presented by Academy event there with activities like a Kid’s Fishing Pond, Dogs on the Dock and Casting Kids, among others. A place to let kids blow off some steam. (Nearby there are fountains they can cool off in).
Now for the launch site. The anglers are putting in at Lakeview Marina and idling over to Lake Conroe Park for launches. The address is 14698 TX-105 in Montgomery, Texas. There are areas for fans to stand and see the 52 anglers launch.
Now for the launch site. The anglers are putting in at Lakeview Marina and idling over to Lake Conroe Park for launches. The address is 14698 TX-105 in Montgomery, Texas. There are areas for fans to stand and see the 52 anglers launch.
You see the B.A.S.S. trailers and you are there. Signs and flashing lights of police vehicles should help direct fans to proper parking areas. The state park has rather large grounds and can accommodate a great number of spectators. Come out for the action, which gets under way well before the 7:20 a.m. blastoff. Fans can hear emcee Dave Mercer interview anglers over the PA system.
You see the B.A.S.S. trailers and you are there. Signs and flashing lights of police vehicles should help direct fans to proper parking areas. The state park has rather large grounds and can accommodate a great number of spectators. Come out for the action, which gets under way well before the 7:20 a.m. blastoff. Fans can hear emcee Dave Mercer interview anglers over the PA system.
How about a little history of Houston? This is Sam Houston, namesake of the city and bunch of other stuff around here. He was a soldier then politician, and is best known for helping bring Texas into the U.S. as a constituent state. His victory in the Battle of San Jacinto, fought at the top of Galveston Bay in La Porte, secured Texas’ independence from Mexico. The San Jacinto Battle monument is taller than the Washington Monument.
How about a little history of Houston? This is Sam Houston, namesake of the city and bunch of other stuff around here. He was a soldier then politician, and is best known for helping bring Texas into the U.S. as a constituent state. His victory in the Battle of San Jacinto, fought at the top of Galveston Bay in La Porte, secured Texas’ independence from Mexico. The San Jacinto Battle monument is taller than the Washington Monument.
One of Houston’s nicknames is Space City. Here space shuttle Challenger gets a ride over Johnson Space Center near Clear Lake. The author lived in Clear Lake in the early 1990s, working at a local newspaper where we said our readers were rocket scientists. Because many were.
One of Houston’s nicknames is Space City. Here space shuttle Challenger gets a ride over Johnson Space Center near Clear Lake. The author lived in Clear Lake in the early 1990s, working at a local newspaper where we said our readers were rocket scientists. Because many were.
This is Gene Kranz, working at his console at NASA’s Mission Control at JSC. He was probably the Sooch’s top score of an interview, and was very poignant in explaining the shared feeling of great accomplishment in that room when they helped put men on the moon. There was also a brush with Buzz Aldrin at a week of festivities celebrating the moon walk’s 20th anniversary, but another notable was Red Adair, the famed oil well fire fighter. He told stories on Redfish Island in Galveston Bay for a Lakewood Yacht Club shrimp boil with steel drum music with huge ships passing by in the Houston Ship Channel.
This is Gene Kranz, working at his console at NASA’s Mission Control at JSC. He was probably the Sooch’s top score of an interview, and was very poignant in explaining the shared feeling of great accomplishment in that room when they helped put men on the moon. There was also a brush with Buzz Aldrin at a week of festivities celebrating the moon walk’s 20th anniversary, but another notable was Red Adair, the famed oil well fire fighter. He told stories on Redfish Island in Galveston Bay for a Lakewood Yacht Club shrimp boil with steel drum music with huge ships passing by in the Houston Ship Channel.
Houston is an international city, and visits from dignitaries such as President George H.W. Bush were not uncommon. Here Bush, a Texan, exits Air Force One at Ellington Field, which was in the Clear Lake Times’ coverage zone. The next few shots are from working at that paper.
Houston is an international city, and visits from dignitaries such as President George H.W. Bush were not uncommon. Here Bush, a Texan, exits Air Force One at Ellington Field, which was in the Clear Lake Times’ coverage zone. The next few shots are from working at that paper.
President Bush was among the dignitaries to visit the region. (Look how close I was to him). Princess Fergie was another. Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to stop there but canceled at the last moment.
President Bush was among the dignitaries to visit the region. (Look how close I was to him). Princess Fergie was another. Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to stop there but canceled at the last moment.
The city has some famous sports moments and athletes. This is Andre Ware, who won the Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at the University of Houston in 1989. He was acting as a parade marshal in Clear Lake and was interviewed by Sooch. (With his old tank of a camera, a Pentax K1000, and the huge audio recorder. Oh, I loved that jacket. Still have it.)
The city has some famous sports moments and athletes. This is Andre Ware, who won the Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at the University of Houston in 1989. He was acting as a parade marshal in Clear Lake and was interviewed by Sooch. (With his old tank of a camera, a Pentax K1000, and the huge audio recorder. Oh, I loved that jacket. Still have it.)
There is always tons of activities in the region, like BBQ cook-offs -- I blame covering them and having the friendly folks offer way too much awesome meat for starting me on the fat train. Here are two of my favorite photos: A old-time bicycle rider looks all historical at the Dickens on the Strand festival in Galveston. On the right, two kids have a pillow fight on a pole during an event at the Armand Bayou Nature Center.
There is always tons of activities in the region, like BBQ cook-offs — I blame covering them and having the friendly folks offer way too much awesome meat for starting me on the fat train. Here are two of my favorite photos: A old-time bicycle rider looks all historical at the Dickens on the Strand festival in Galveston. On the right, two kids have a pillow fight on a pole during an event at the Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Here the Sooch gets his just rewards at the Texas Renasissance Festival just a bit west of Conroe. Of course, any visitors would want to visit the beaches in Galveston. Houston has so much to offer. This scribe remembers things like seeing Shaquille O’Neal play a college game here, and watching them film a few shots of Robocop 2 in the downtown area.
Here the Sooch gets his just rewards at the Texas Renasissance Festival just a bit west of Conroe. Of course, any visitors would want to visit the beaches in Galveston. Houston has so much to offer. This scribe remembers things like seeing Shaquille O’Neal play a college game here, and watching them film a few shots of Robocop 2 in the downtown area.
One of the biggest events that’s run since 1932 is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Now known better as RodeoHouston, it is the signature event of the city, and includes big name musical acts. Here was a fun event, shot from the upper deck of the Astrodome. I think the first guy to catch a calf got to eat it … could be wrong.
One of the biggest events that’s run since 1932 is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Now known better as RodeoHouston, it is the signature event of the city, and includes big name musical acts. Here was a fun event, shot from the upper deck of the Astrodome. I think the first guy to catch a calf got to eat it … could be wrong.
This is a current version of RodeoHouston in NRG Stadium. The event runs 20 days and drew crowds of around 2.5 million in 2013. The rodeo part is the richest in the world, and there’s running races, a parade, carnival, pig racing and barbecue. Concerts have included folks from Elvis Presley to Justin Beiber.
This is a current version of RodeoHouston in NRG Stadium. The event runs 20 days and drew crowds of around 2.5 million in 2013. The rodeo part is the richest in the world, and there’s running races, a parade, carnival, pig racing and barbecue. Concerts have included folks from Elvis Presley to Justin Beiber.
Houston proper is 599 square miles, just physically huge, and its population of 2.2 million puts it behind only New York (8.1 million), Los Angeles (3.8m) and Chicago (2.7m). The metro area has more than 6 million people and boasts such things as having one of the widest roadways in the world. Here’s I-10, the Katy Freeway, at Beltway 8, which comes in at a whopping 26 lanes across, with 12 main lanes, eight feeder lanes and six managed lanes.
Houston proper is 599 square miles, just physically huge, and its population of 2.2 million puts it behind only New York (8.1 million), Los Angeles (3.8m) and Chicago (2.7m). The metro area has more than 6 million people and boasts such things as having one of the widest roadways in the world. Here’s I-10, the Katy Freeway, at Beltway 8, which comes in at a whopping 26 lanes across, with 12 main lanes, eight feeder lanes and six managed lanes.
International and big league. Here’s the George R. Brown Convention decked out for the 1990 G7 Economic Summit, which was headquartered at this facility but took place all over town in places like Rice University. This scribe came to cover what he could, and left with the remembrance of a huge contingent of 300 Japanese media members filling an enormous hall.
International and big league. Here’s the George R. Brown Convention decked out for the 1990 G7 Economic Summit, which was headquartered at this facility but took place all over town in places like Rice University. This scribe came to cover what he could, and left with the remembrance of a huge contingent of 300 Japanese media members filling an enormous hall.
Let’s come back to today, or pre-practice, to see Bradley Roy and the type of bass that Lake Conroe holds. Ricky Bearden of Conroe set the lake record with a 15.93-pound fish in 2009. That fish is No. 24 on the list of the top 50 largemouth caught in Texas. Tournament director Trip Weldon briefed the anglers on what to do on the chance one catches a ShareLunker bass of over 13 pounds.
Let’s come back to today, or pre-practice, to see Bradley Roy and the type of bass that Lake Conroe holds. Ricky Bearden of Conroe set the lake record with a 15.93-pound fish in 2009. That fish is No. 24 on the list of the top 50 largemouth caught in Texas. Tournament director Trip Weldon briefed the anglers on what to do on the chance one catches a ShareLunker bass of over 13 pounds.
In 2009, the lake was on fire. Renee Linderoth pulled this monster bass in during the summer. It was a year in which it seemed a 10-pounder was caught every other week. In some recent tournaments, there have been some 10-pounders caught, and while favorite Keith Combs said it remains a possibility, he guessed that the biggest bass this week will be 9-4.
In 2009, the lake was on fire. Renee Linderoth pulled this monster bass in during the summer. It was a year in which it seemed a 10-pounder was caught every other week. In some recent tournaments, there have been some 10-pounders caught, and while favorite Keith Combs said it remains a possibility, he guessed that the biggest bass this week will be 9-4.
That means Preston Clark’s Classic record of an 11-10 from the 2006 event on the Kissimmee Chain could stand. But there’s still a chance it will not.
That means Preston Clark’s Classic record of an 11-10 from the 2006 event on the Kissimmee Chain could stand. But there’s still a chance it will not.
Combs also thought that Paul Mueller’s one-day weight record of 32-3 will not be threatened. He and several others have guessed the top bag weighed this year would be pushing 28 pounds, though.
Combs also thought that Paul Mueller’s one-day weight record of 32-3 will not be threatened. He and several others have guessed the top bag weighed this year would be pushing 28 pounds, though.
The talk has been of inconsistency, where one huge bag could be followed with a bust. The 16-inch limit on Conroe means some fish near 3 pounds will have to be thrown back, and the smallest fish weighed should be over 2 pounds. If one angler gets two of those big bags, he might just be in the running to top Kevin VanDam’s three-day Classic weight record of 69-11 set on the Louisiana Delta in 2011.
The talk has been of inconsistency, where one huge bag could be followed with a bust. The 16-inch limit on Conroe means some fish near 3 pounds will have to be thrown back, and the smallest fish weighed should be over 2 pounds. If one angler gets two of those big bags, he might just be in the running to top Kevin VanDam’s three-day Classic weight record of 69-11 set on the Louisiana Delta in 2011.
The completion for the 47th Classic gets under way with the Day 1 launch at 7:20 a.m. CT Friday. Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the B.A.S.S. staff has done everything they could think of to make that come true with this Classic. Hang on, folks, the anglers are fixin’ to get all busy up in here and prove the state mantra that everything’s bigger in Texas.
The completion for the 47th Classic gets under way with the Day 1 launch at 7:20 a.m. CT Friday. Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the B.A.S.S. staff has done everything they could think of to make that come true with this Classic. Hang on, folks, the anglers are fixin’ to get all busy up in here and prove the state mantra that everything’s bigger in Texas.