Texas and the Bassmaster Classic

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With the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic scheduled for Houston, Texas, and Lake Conroe March 24-26, it’s only fitting that we put the state in perspective as it relates to fishing’s greatest championship. After all, Texas is the most important state of all when it comes to the history of the Classic. <p> <em>Captions: Ken Duke</em>
With the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic scheduled for Houston, Texas, and Lake Conroe March 24-26, it’s only fitting that we put the state in perspective as it relates to fishing’s greatest championship. After all, Texas is the most important state of all when it comes to the history of the Classic.

Captions: Ken Duke

For starters, Texas has produced more Classic qualifiers than any other state … by far. In all, 310 spots have gone to Texans over the 47-year history of the event. Next best is a distant 191 (Arkansas). Lone Star State anglers represent 15.6 percent of all Classic competitors in history.
For starters, Texas has produced more Classic qualifiers than any other state … by far. In all, 310 spots have gone to Texans over the 47-year history of the event. Next best is a distant 191 (Arkansas). Lone Star State anglers represent 15.6 percent of all Classic competitors in history.
Texas has also sent the most individuals to the Classic — 71 different anglers, from Harold Allen to Ronnie Young. Alabama is second with just 47. To give it a little more perspective, Texas has sent more anglers to the championship than California, Georgia, South Carolina and New York combined!
Texas has also sent the most individuals to the Classic — 71 different anglers, from Harold Allen to Ronnie Young. Alabama is second with just 47. To give it a little more perspective, Texas has sent more anglers to the championship than California, Georgia, South Carolina and New York combined!
In 1983, 12 of the 42 Classic anglers came from Texas, the largest number and highest percentage (29 percent) ever. What’s the second most anglers from one state to fish a Classic? The answer is 11 … also from Texas in 1985, 1987, 1996 and 2003. Next most after that? You already know the answer. Texas has sent at least one qualifier to every Classic but one — 1973. Pictured above are Hank Parker (L) and Larry Nixon.
In 1983, 12 of the 42 Classic anglers came from Texas, the largest number and highest percentage (29 percent) ever. What’s the second most anglers from one state to fish a Classic? The answer is 11 … also from Texas in 1985, 1987, 1996 and 2003. Next most after that? You already know the answer. Texas has sent at least one qualifier to every Classic but one — 1973. Pictured above are Hank Parker (L) and Larry Nixon.
Two Texans fished the first Classic in 1971 — Joe Kennedy of Euless and Rayborn Waits of Austin. They finished 17th and 20th, respectively, which doesn’t sound too bad until you realize there were only 24 anglers in the entire field. Kennedy never made another Classic appearance. Waits made it back in 1984 and 1985, though he was not able to improve upon his 20th place finish in ‘71. Pictured above is Texan Todd Faircloth, who will be competing in the 2017 Texas Classic.
Two Texans fished the first Classic in 1971 — Joe Kennedy of Euless and Rayborn Waits of Austin. They finished 17th and 20th, respectively, which doesn’t sound too bad until you realize there were only 24 anglers in the entire field. Kennedy never made another Classic appearance. Waits made it back in 1984 and 1985, though he was not able to improve upon his 20th place finish in ‘71. Pictured above is Texan Todd Faircloth, who will be competing in the 2017 Texas Classic.
And you can’t talk Texas bass fishing without mentioning the little town of Hemphill. Strategically located near Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn reservoirs, Hemphill was the greatest training ground of bass fishing talent the world has ever known. Nine separate Classic qualifiers and two champions (Tommy Martin and Larry Nixon, pictured above with B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott) called Hemphill home when they competed in the championship. Nine! That’s more than 25 entire states have produced in 47 years.
And you can’t talk Texas bass fishing without mentioning the little town of Hemphill. Strategically located near Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn reservoirs, Hemphill was the greatest training ground of bass fishing talent the world has ever known. Nine separate Classic qualifiers and two champions (Tommy Martin and Larry Nixon, pictured above with B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott) called Hemphill home when they competed in the championship. Nine! That’s more than 25 entire states have produced in 47 years.
With so many Classic qualifiers hailing from Texas, you won’t be surprised to find that Texas has produced more champions than any other state. Nine winners were living in Texas when they took home the Classic trophy — Tommy Martin (1974), Rick Clunn, pictured above, (1976, 1977, 1984 and 1990), Larry Nixon (1983), Jay Yelas (2002), Takahiro Omori (2004) and Alton Jones (2008).
With so many Classic qualifiers hailing from Texas, you won’t be surprised to find that Texas has produced more champions than any other state. Nine winners were living in Texas when they took home the Classic trophy — Tommy Martin (1974), Rick Clunn, pictured above, (1976, 1977, 1984 and 1990), Larry Nixon (1983), Jay Yelas (2002), Takahiro Omori (2004) and Alton Jones (2008).
But those are just the anglers who were living in Texas at the time they won the Classic. More Classic champs were born in Texas than any other state, too, though the names might surprise you. The four Classic winners born in the Lone Star State were Alton Jones (Baylor), Tommy Martin (Livingston), Bobby Murray (Longview) and Bryan Kerchal, pictured above, (Dallas). The other Texas-resident winners were born elsewhere — Clunn in California, Nixon in Washington, Yelas in Hawaii and Omori in Japan.
But those are just the anglers who were living in Texas at the time they won the Classic. More Classic champs were born in Texas than any other state, too, though the names might surprise you. The four Classic winners born in the Lone Star State were Alton Jones (Baylor), Tommy Martin (Livingston), Bobby Murray (Longview) and Bryan Kerchal, pictured above, (Dallas). The other Texas-resident winners were born elsewhere — Clunn in California, Nixon in Washington, Yelas in Hawaii and Omori in Japan.
This year, Texas has five anglers in the Classic field — Keith Combs (pictured above), Todd Faircloth, Alton Jones, Alton Jones Jr. and Takahiro Omori. Only Jones Jr. is a Classic rookie. His father and Omori already have titles, while Combs and Faircloth enter the event as favorites to win and keep the trophy in the same state as the tournament for the fourth year in a row.
This year, Texas has five anglers in the Classic field — Keith Combs (pictured above), Todd Faircloth, Alton Jones, Alton Jones Jr. and Takahiro Omori. Only Jones Jr. is a Classic rookie. His father and Omori already have titles, while Combs and Faircloth enter the event as favorites to win and keep the trophy in the same state as the tournament for the fourth year in a row.
Perhaps the only surprising number about Texas and fishing’s grandest stage is that only one Bassmaster Classic has been held there — the 1979 championship on Lake Texoma out of Pottsboro. It was won by Hank Parker (who at least has a name that sounds Texan, though he was born in North Carolina).
Perhaps the only surprising number about Texas and fishing’s grandest stage is that only one Bassmaster Classic has been held there — the 1979 championship on Lake Texoma out of Pottsboro. It was won by Hank Parker (who at least has a name that sounds Texan, though he was born in North Carolina).
The Texoma Classic was one for the ages. Parker left his flippin’ rods at home because he didn’t have a case large enough to hold them for the flight to Texas, but during practice he realized that the technique was going to be important. So, he borrowed a flippin’ rod from fellow competitor Gary Klein (pictured above), who fished exclusively with flippin’ rods back then. Parker jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. It’s a good thing, too. If he had looked back, he might have seen Basil Bacon coming up fast.
The Texoma Classic was one for the ages. Parker left his flippin’ rods at home because he didn’t have a case large enough to hold them for the flight to Texas, but during practice he realized that the technique was going to be important. So, he borrowed a flippin’ rod from fellow competitor Gary Klein (pictured above), who fished exclusively with flippin’ rods back then. Parker jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. It’s a good thing, too. If he had looked back, he might have seen Basil Bacon coming up fast.
Bacon zeroed the first day but finished the tournament in second place, just 3 pounds behind Parker, (pictured above). It was the greatest comeback in Classic history, but it fell just a little short. For his part, Parker was barely able to hang on. He managed just 2 pounds, 7 ounces in the final round to finish with 31-0. It remains the only time in Classic history that the leader did not have to weigh even one bass on the final day to hold on for victory.
Bacon zeroed the first day but finished the tournament in second place, just 3 pounds behind Parker, (pictured above). It was the greatest comeback in Classic history, but it fell just a little short. For his part, Parker was barely able to hang on. He managed just 2 pounds, 7 ounces in the final round to finish with 31-0. It remains the only time in Classic history that the leader did not have to weigh even one bass on the final day to hold on for victory.
It was also one of the toughest Classics in history. Over three days no angler could weigh in a seven-bass limit. Pictured above is 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion Takahiro Omori. He endured some very difficult conditions and managed a last minute comeback to win the '04 Classic. Somebody always wins...
It was also one of the toughest Classics in history. Over three days no angler could weigh in a seven-bass limit. Pictured above is 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion Takahiro Omori. He endured some very difficult conditions and managed a last minute comeback to win the ’04 Classic. Somebody always wins…
Will 2017 be as exciting as the last Texas Classic? Will Texans like Alton Jones, (pictured above) play a historic role again? You don’t have to be a Texan to be optimistic about both, but it probably wouldn’t hurt.
Will 2017 be as exciting as the last Texas Classic? Will Texans like Alton Jones, (pictured above) play a historic role again? You don’t have to be a Texan to be optimistic about both, but it probably wouldn’t hurt.