The Toyota Texas Bass Classic 2015

Mud was the word at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic as daily rain soaked all activities.

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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 - 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.
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 - 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.
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 - 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.
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 - 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.
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 - 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.
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 - 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.
This Toyota 4Runner had the right idea by heading for higher ground.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - This Toyota 4Runner had the right idea by heading for higher ground.
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 - 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.”
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 - 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.
Todd Faircloth prepares for Day 1 under threatening storm clouds that never seemed to go away throughout this traditionally great event.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Todd Faircloth prepares for Day 1 under threatening storm clouds that never seemed to go away throughout this traditionally great event.
Jason Christie took the early lead with this 9-pound behemoth.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Jason Christie took the early lead with this 9-pound behemoth.
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 - 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.
Iaconelli talks to emcee Dave Mercer about what a special event the TTBC is.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Iaconelli talks to emcee Dave Mercer about what a special event the TTBC is.
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 - 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.
Petty Officer Nathaniel Glass brought goosebumps to onlookers as he sang our national anthem prior to tournament takeoff.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Petty Officer Nathaniel Glass brought goosebumps to onlookers as he sang our national anthem prior to tournament takeoff.
Patriotism was not lost at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Memorial Day weekend.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Patriotism was not lost at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Memorial Day weekend.
Brent Ehrler caught the kind of 10-pounder Lake Fork is famous for on the final day of competition.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Brent Ehrler caught the kind of 10-pounder Lake Fork is famous for on the final day of competition.
Ehrler holds the 10-pounder up on stage that ultimately sealed victory for him.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Ehrler holds the 10-pounder up on stage that ultimately sealed victory for him.
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 - 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.
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 - 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.