Mud was the word at this year’s Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC). Daily torrential rain and thunderstorms soaked the outdoor venue fields used for parking and exhibits to a point that concerts and other activities were totally cancelled on Day 2 and 3 of the tournament.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Still, the tournament went on, and John Crews continued to show he’s fishing really well these days with an 8-pound, 7-ounce beast on Day 1.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Kevin VanDam shows off an armload of the most popular lures – all of them focused on catching bass in 15–40 feet of water. Strike King’s 10XD, giant flutter spoons, swimbaits and football jigs were most popular.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Casey Ashley notched a Top 10 using a 3/4 ounce peanut butter & jelly-colored football jig, with a green pumpkin Zoom Z-Hawg trailer. He used a Quantum Speed Freak reel to pick up slack quickly as most of his bites occurred in 20–22 feet of water.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Like most anglers, the current Bassmaster Classic champion’s biggest concern of the week was not getting a bite, but instead severe storms in the Lake Fork region.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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A mix of B.A.S.S. and FLW anglers, along with their friends and families, tiptoed through the mud backstage at the weigh-in.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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This Toyota 4Runner had the right idea by heading for higher ground.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Gerald Swindle kept the crowd laughing as usual, saying, “It rained so much today, I saw a giraffe in rubber boots and two ducks holding an umbrella.”
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Three of the TTBC’s most popular anglers, Keith Combs, Kevin VanDam and Brandon Palaniuk, sign autographs for the large crowd that showed up on Day 1 prior to Day 2 and Day 3 being canceled to the public due to intense storms and mud.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Todd Faircloth prepares for Day 1 under threatening storm clouds that never seemed to go away throughout this traditionally great event.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Jason Christie took the early lead with this 9-pound behemoth.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Mike Iaconelli has a magical relationship with giant Texas bass. The New Jersey angler has had an incredible run of success in Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournaments – including the 8 pounder he caught this year to anchor another Top 10 finish.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Iaconelli talks to emcee Dave Mercer about what a special event the TTBC is.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Dressed in red, white and blue in recognition of Memorial Day, Iaconelli’s daughter stole a kiss from her daddy as he rode to the weigh-in stage.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Petty Officer Nathaniel Glass brought goosebumps to onlookers as he sang our national anthem prior to tournament takeoff.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Patriotism was not lost at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Memorial Day weekend.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Brent Ehrler caught the kind of 10-pounder Lake Fork is famous for on the final day of competition.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Ehrler holds the 10-pounder up on stage that ultimately sealed victory for him.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Not only did the big 10-pounder win him the tournament – but also the key to a brand new Tundra for catching the biggest bass of the tournament.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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Confetti flies to finalize a rain-soaked event that was trying for both fans and organizers – but still carried a feeling of patriotism, fellowship and fat green fish.
Photo: Alan McGuckin
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