Sooch’s Classic in 68 shots

Work for the 2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICKâS Sporting Goods begins not just months before but more than a year before the event takes place. Hundreds of people from numerous entities are making preparations before the previous one is even finished. In the JM Associates studio, Ben Oliver works on getting unique trophy shots. This is Mike Suchan’s behind-the-scenes perspective on the Classic.

Hereâs a glimpse of the playing field — The Tennessee River just outside of host city Knoxville, Tenn., a first-time venue for a Classic. With record crowds and a hometown winner, the 49th Classic was spectacular. You heard that word a lot and will see it some more here.

The author got a tour of the town from Gina Kelly of Knoxville Joyride and posted the shots earlier. The anglers had been out practicing Friday through Sunday, and the first order of business for the B.A.S.S. media was the angler meeting. Here James Overstreet photographs the boots of Chase Anderson, Executive Vice President/Director of B.A.S.S. Why?

The ostrich kicks were a favorite of many, because, in a word, they were spectacular. Those folks in the back right will do some Tennessee two-stepping this week.

The trophy sits at the front of the room for the briefing by B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. There were a lot of game faces along with some humor. The anglers were told spectator boats were directed not to follow the pros until all the anglers passed. Because local Ott DeFoe was expected to draw a majority of fans, one of the anglers shouted out, âMake Ott go lastâ and got a big laugh.

Defending Classic champ Jordan Lee and wife, Kristen, gather their swag from participating sponsors in the gifting room. While stuffing their stuff in a bag, Kristen seems to be leading with her left hand, for good reason. Check out whoâs looming in the background.

Speaking of rings, Pat Summit earned one for each finger, not including thumbs, for leading the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team to eight National Championships. Her memorial sits right across from the weigh-in venue, Thompson-Boling Arena, where the court was named in her honor, âThe Summit.â JM producer Tim Schick and cameraman Kevin Spivey are busy getting more iconic trophy shots from around town for the Bassmaster shows.

One rarely seen ring is Davy Hiteâs from his 1999 Classic. He said it only comes out during Classic Week. Before Bassmaster LIVE began in earnest, the TV crew enjoyed a fancy dinner at one of the cityâs famed eateries, Lonesome Dove.

On the final official practice day, the crew of Dave Mercer, Mark Zona, Tommy Sanders and Davy Hite stop before the launch to take a photo with Italian journalist Davide Carlessi, who was enjoying his first Classic. He was sent to cover the scene, and specifically Jacopo Gallelli, the first Italian to qualify for a Classic.

Reigning Toyota Angler of the Year Justin Lucas stands for the national anthem. The day serves as a dress rehearsal for B.A.S.S. For anglers, itâs their final chance to figure out a strategy for Friday’s first day.

With the sun rising, the 52-man field is off. After the wettest February on record, the water levels were beginning to stabilize. Still, most of the anglers expected changing conditions over the three days. They said the winner would be the one who got some big bites and adjusted daily.

Jim Sexton, the digital VP of B.A.S.S., boards Elite angler David Mullinsâ boat as Angler liaison Steve Bowman looks to help. Mullins, who lives up the river, provided insight on the fishery to Bowman, who serves as a photographer, and Sexton, who blogs and does social media.

Bassmaster Elite Series angler Gary Clouse, also owner of Phoenix Boats, makes final preparations in his huge booth at the Bassmaster Classic Expo presented by DICKâS Sporting Goods. This yearâs expo, which covered 220,000 square feet of floor space in the Knoxville Convention Center and the Worldâs Fair Exhibition Hall, sold out with 200 exhibitors.

The anglers and their wives dress to the nines for Night of Champions, where B.A.S.S. recognizes all of its champions from the previous year. Here DeFoe, wife, Jennie, and Wesley and Stephanie Strader, also from Tennessee, pose.

After Lucas gave his AOY speech, Mike Iaconelli visits with B.A.S.S. Junior Champ Trey McKinney, who won an unofficial fashion award for his spectacular attire.

Thursday is reserved for Media Day. One odd image is Jacob Wheeler and this huge Teddy Bear. No, it didnât come to life and help him find fish. Wheeler was among six anglers who bet on the bear — the lowest finisher after Day 1 had to strap Teddy to their deck for Day 2.

Chase Anderson addresses the crowd at Media Day. He thanked the 258 credential media covering the event, as well as the sponsors who partnered to put on bass fishingâs largest event. âThis community has worked tirelessly with our team to bring this event to town,â Anderson said, reeling off GEICO as the title sponsor and DICKâS Sporting Goods as presenting sponsor. Toyota received a huge shout out, as did Power-Pole, which put on the media event and has been title sponsor of tournaments. Anderson was glad he had to look at a written list (he sure didnât want to leave one out) for the premier sponsors — Abu Garcia, Berkley, Hummingbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Triton Boats and Yamaha.

Davy Hite visits with Jason Christie, among the anglers many believed would excel in the tournament. Christie, who has been close to winning a Classic several times in his seven appearances, finished a disappointing 40th in what might be his final championship as he was among the pros who left B.A.S.S.

Team Championship Fish-off Qualifier Matt Robertson made a spectacular splash. At Classic Night, he drew eyes with his Kid Rock look that included a fur coat of âSiberian mountain goat,â a fedora and sunglasses. His âOn âEmâ hat and faux leopard jacket at Media Day also drew attention. Spectacular.

On Thursday night at the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame reception, Jim Hooven was honored with a Meritorious Service Award. Hooven was surrounded by son, Jayson (right), and some of the anglers who found great success after coming up in his Lakeland Bassmasters club, the largest in the country. From left are Classic champ Chris Lane and brothers Bobby Lane and Arnie Lane, along with their father, Robert Lane Sr.

When the Classic Expo presented by DICKâS Sporting Goods got under way, James Bethurem, aka Santa Jim, from near Springfield, Mo., got an early gift from the author. Bethurem pulled up his pant cuffs to show he was already wearing something similar.

Bassmaster LIVE aired daily during the tournament, and there were some very special guests. On Military Day, Dakota Meyer, the first U.S. Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in 38 years, appeared on LIVE with Tommy Sanders and Davy Hite, who hails from a military family.

Although this was Friday, the DICKâS Sporting Goods booth was already experiencing high traffic and brisk sales. There was twice as much Classic merchandise sold than any previous year.

Around the corner from the B.A.S.S. booth was the Ike Live crew, which was streaming from expo.. Here mainstay Pete Gluszek and guest host Pat Renwick, who has his own web show, Stray Casts, interview Elite angler Caleb Sumrall. At least Pete knows how to pose for a photo. Pat, what are you doing? Got the cartoonish part of Outdoor Cartoon Television down. (He had that expression in all six photos).

Not that I did any better. Forget who, but someone grabbed my phone to take this photo of Ronnie Moore and me (Mike Suchan) in front of the crowd watching the big screen of LIVE. Probably good weâre out of focus. This is Bassmasterâs Facebook Live team for Elites and the Classic, and itâs our privilege to assist the TV team during LIVE broadcasts.

The expo helped B.A.S.S. draw a record attendance to the Classic venues. The launches at Volunteer Landing started it all, with 5,500 on Friday setting a record then it was topped Saturday with 6,500. All told, there were 153,809 people who went to the launches, expo and weigh-ins, topping last yearâs record by about 10,000. Spectacular showing, Tennessee.

The Expo had plenty of things to see. In front of the Exhibition Hall, Dock Dogs excited fans with their leaps into the pool.

At the Get Hooked on Fishing pool, Jonah Kirkland of the Vestal Boys and Girls Club in Knoxville was thrilled to catch this catfish, but he might not have liked having to grab onto it for this photo. Get Hooked on Fishing had 18,500 visitors, up nearly 7,000 from its first year in 2017.

Everyone gets excited behind the wheel of a Tracker ATV, including 2-year-old Maggie Bobbers of Knoxville. She was just too cute, and too happy, not to photograph.

At Bass Cat Boats booth, this guy was too busy with a virtual reality trip down the river to notice anyone tapping him on the shoulder.

Jimmy Houston, one of the best story tellers ever, keeps a crowd entertained with one of his yarns.

If it all got too much, visitors could take a load off and rock out in a semi-quiet, sunny corner of the KCC.

Back at LIVE, Brian Robison, retired after 12 years in the NFL and an avid angler, visits the set. He brought along a rack of ribs from the famed Calhounâs restaurant chain in the region, and the crew digs in.

Mark Zona even makes chomping on a rib funny.

Davy Hite said heâs not about to miss out, and Zona obliges.

Yeah, just a bite. Can’t blame him. Calhoun ribs are goooood. (Iâm not going to take credit for coaxing a longtime manager of Calhounâs on the River to bring a rack for the show and then having Robison present them as a gift, but, well, I just kinda did.)

Camo the Conservation Clown, aka Dave Freeman from Zeigler, Ill., looks for more kids to entertain. âBeen doing this 100 years trying to get kids into the outdoors,â he said.

One big line at the expo was to ride the GEICO Rodeo Fish, which Knoxvilleâs Kylee Hawkins, 6, enjoyed. Unlike several anglers, she didnât spin out.

Of course, big brother, Joseph, 9, was a bit jealous she had her photo taken for Bassmaster.com. And bam! His signed hat was a great subject. The Classic is a prime place to gather autographs. He said his favorite was Jimmy Houston, or maybe his dad told him to say that.

Aiden Barber, 14, of Roseville, Ga., takes a spin at the Toyota Racing Challenge. Toyota has kept Bassmaster anglers rolling for years.

Logistics were an issue for the LIVE crew. Instead of waiting for a ride from the producer, Davy Hite, Ronnie Moore and Kyle Jessie try to hitch a ride to the weigh-in. Jessie elicited laughs when he approached about the only car not loaded up with Classic visitors and asked for a ride. Probably the only person passing who didnât know the Classic was going on, the woman cracked her passenger window for the stranger and said, “What?” The joke was Jessie was about to get pepper sprayed.

Standing for the national anthem on Day 2 brought one of the coolest shirts seen at the Classic into view. Many fans commented that the weigh-in shows were spectacular.

Outside, youth volunteers wipe down Mark Danielsâ boat before he enters the arena. A group from Fishers of Men was also volunteering back stage to wrangle anglers. Hundreds of people are needed to put on all the events.

Waiting for Facebook Live to begin on Championship Sunday, Ronnie Moore borrows a rod at the Berkley Tank and pitches the lure into a trash can — made it on the second try. (He had no idea I took this and will post it to his social media, Iâm sure.)

The Day 3 expo brought out the Classic qualifiers who didnât make the cut, like defending champion Jordan Lee, winner of the past two Classics in comebacks. Steve and Hazel Cromer of LaGrange, Ga., gave son Garrett an early 13th birthday gift in a trip to the Classic. The presents included his oar signed by Lee and a nice chat.

At Power-Pole, Spennett Wiggins, 10, there with his dad, wore out the button on the working poles.

Derek James of Inman, S.C., reminded everyone that Championship Sunday was also St. Patrickâs Day. James, who was attending his fifth Classic, runs a bass club back home. He might have donned a wee bit too much of Kelly green, but this day would be about a different shade of green.

Out in front of the LIVE set, Bob Cobb meets Carhartt Classic qualifier Nick Ratliff of Elizabethtown, Ky., who wished he would have made Campbellsville University prouder by finishing better than 41st. Cobb was promoting his new book, The B.A.S.S. Story Unplugged.

Also missing the cut was fan favorite Gerald Swindle. The longtime B.A.S.S. angler, who left for another circuit, had a line of more than 100 people waiting to meet him. He didnât go out like he had hoped but said he will work to get back to a Classic.

B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin and two-time Classic winner Hank Parker visit before Parker hosted Berkleyâs Cast for Cash, where a lucky participant got the chance to win $100,000. The caster did not, but left with plenty of parting gifts from Berkley.

James Overstreet enters the Thompson-Boling Arena floor to take his position on the photography stand. Overstreet, who missed the first two Elite events due to illness, was happy to be back at work, and what work he did. Check out his launch and weigh-in galleries. (I had the honor of editing some of the first photos each day, and just hope I did them justice.)

A view from the top row (man, that was a climb) shows the Championship Sunday crowd. Better not have vertigo and go up there.

One level down and you can almost see Seth Feider pet a llama. The TBA, which now has 21,678 seats for basketball but was the largest built specifically for basketball at 24,535 in 1987, hosted its largest crowd on Sunday.

In the wings, Kevin VanDam greets fans after his last weigh-in.

The all-time leader with 25 wins, seven Toyota Angler of the Year titles and four Classic wins, VanDam has the curtain close on his B.A.S.S. career after weighing in 8-11 in a 20th-place finish. In 28 Classics, KVD finished in the Top 10 15 times.

KVD walks down a hallway to his final media interviews with B.A.S.S. All told, he fished 314 tournaments, ending in the money lead with $6.4 million in earnings, nearly $3 million more than the next best.

Another angler who might be making his last Classic appearance is Mike Iaconelli. Ike, who has the longest active Classic qualifying streak at 20, rallied from a weak first day to get in the hunt before settling for fourth place.

Ott DeFoe enters the arena and shows off his fish to the crowd cheering wildly for their hometown favorite. DeFoe lives in Blaine on the Holston River, 20 miles from the weigh-in venue.

There were thousands of cameras recording the moment. DeFoe was the pre-tournament favorite in part for his past successes on the areaâs fisheries.

While speaking with DeFoe, emcee Dave Mercer announced that this Classic set the attendance record, eliciting applause from Knoxville native Chase Anderson, who was proud his city supported the event. âItâs so special being here in Knoxville,â he told me. âI think thereâs been a lot of pent-up demand here for the Classic — what a great fishing community here in East Tennessee.â

Mark Daniels Jr. is the second-to-last person to weigh in. He stayed in the hunt with a 17-pound, 6-ounce bag on Day 2 that included a tying Berkley Big Bass of 6-3. The fickle nature of the Tennessee River, mentioned first after DeFoe led with 20-0 on Day 1, reared its ugly head on Day 3 to MDJ, who finished fifth.

Jacob Wheeler was the final angler to stand between DeFoe and history. He held a half-pound lead over Daniels, 1-10 over Chris Zaldain and 2-1 over DeFoe going into Championship Sunday. To some, Wheeler was favored to hold on. It was a big bite event, but they eluded Wheeler on the last day when he weighed 12-15 and finished with 45-5.

DeFoeâs closing bag of 18-14, a largest on a day with a tougher bite, gave him 49-3 and the Classic title in potentially his last B.A.S.S. tournament.

DeFoe takes the standard trophy pose. Winning the Classic is something heâs dreamed of since he was 9.

And a spectacular amount of confetti flies.

DeFoe had said during a walkthrough early in the week that he imagined his name being called as Bassmaster Classic champion. âFor it to happen now â¦ I just keep thinking Iâm gonna wake up,â he said.

Ott, wife Jennie and their three children take the victory lap with a lot of happy fans congratulating them. Lizzie, the DeFoes’ youngest daughter, broke down on stage when Mercer asked her thoughts. âI wanted him to win because I think heâs the best daddy in the world,â she said to bring down the house.

Ott walks into the Championâs Toast and acknowledges the crowd applauding him. The worker walking past was typical Tennessee that many of the visitors experienced from the gracious hosts — put his head down and just kept doing his job. Just like Ott.