Trip Weldon through the years

Now celebrating his 24th year with B.A.S.S., Tournament Director Trip Weldon has long been a fixture in the sport of bass fishing.

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Trip Weldon recently announced that he will retire from his full-time role at B.A.S.S. on Feb. 1, 2021. Weldon was an important part of B.A.S.S. competition for 30 years, and he served as Tournament Director for 19 years.
Photo: B.A.S.S. - Trip Weldon recently announced that he will retire from his full-time role at B.A.S.S. on Feb. 1, 2021. Weldon was an important part of B.A.S.S. competition for 30 years, and he served as Tournament Director for 19 years.
Weldon was a long-time fixture on the Bassmaster Elite Series where he weighed the fish ...
Photo: Don Barone - Weldon was a long-time fixture on the Bassmaster Elite Series where he weighed the fish ...
... addressed different groups attending the events ...
Photo: Don Barone - ... addressed different groups attending the events ...
... and led angler meetings.
Photo: Seigo Saito - ... and led angler meetings.
He could also be found at the daily takeoffs to make sure the order was correct and the event started on time.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - He could also be found at the daily takeoffs to make sure the order was correct and the event started on time.
Though most Bassmaster Elite Series fans will recognize him from the stage ...
Photo: Don Barone - Though most Bassmaster Elite Series fans will recognize him from the stage ...
... he spent a lot of time behind the scenes answering questions and addressing tournament issues.
Photo: Don Barone - ... he spent a lot of time behind the scenes answering questions and addressing tournament issues.
His smartphone was always in his hand ...
Photo: Don Barone - His smartphone was always in his hand ...
... even when it was inconvenient.
Photo: Don Barone - ... even when it was inconvenient.
Weldon poses with Bassmaster.com writer Don Barone.
Photo: Don Barone - Weldon poses with Bassmaster.com writer Don Barone.
A picture from early in Weldon's B.A.S.S. career shows him helping Rick Clunn with his fish during the 1993 Kentucky Bassmaster Invitational on Kentucky Lake.
Photo: Gerald Crawford - A picture from early in Weldon's B.A.S.S. career shows him helping Rick Clunn with his fish during the 1993 Kentucky Bassmaster Invitational on Kentucky Lake.
From his early duties to the Bassmaster Classic ... through the years Weldon has kept order onstage during tournaments.
Photo: B.A.S.S. - From his early duties to the Bassmaster Classic ... through the years Weldon has kept order onstage during tournaments.
Whether Weldon worked with emcee Dave Mercer ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Whether Weldon worked with emcee Dave Mercer ...
... or Keith Alan ...
Photo: B.A.S.S. - ... or Keith Alan ...
... Weldon handled the fish while the emcee spoke with the anglers and pumped up the crowd.
Photo: Darren Jacobsen - ... Weldon handled the fish while the emcee spoke with the anglers and pumped up the crowd.
Here, Weldon boxes up Edwin Evers' Day 1 catch during the 2011 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans.
Photo: Kathy Barker - Here, Weldon boxes up Edwin Evers' Day 1 catch during the 2011 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans.
Weldon's signature clear box has been around for more than a decade as this picture from the 2006 Bassmaster Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., shows.
Photo: B.A.S.S. - Weldon's signature clear box has been around for more than a decade as this picture from the 2006 Bassmaster Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., shows.
In addition to his weigh-in duties, Weldon has also handled a camera ...
Photo: James Overstreet - In addition to his weigh-in duties, Weldon has also handled a camera ...
... dodged fish ...
Photo: B.A.S.S. - ... dodged fish ...
... worn a championship belt ...
Photo: Seigo Saito - ... worn a championship belt ...
... dressed up like Elvis ...
Photo: B.A.S.S. - ... dressed up like Elvis ...
... and had an angler put a towel on his head.
Photo: B.A.S.S. - ... and had an angler put a towel on his head.
There is no doubt that Weldon has enabled some of the most exciting moments in the sport of bass fishing.
Photo: B.A.S.S. - There is no doubt that Weldon has enabled some of the most exciting moments in the sport of bass fishing.
“You really only hear about Trip when the wheels come off, but I know him, and I know him so well I know how he fears bad weather days, big storms, struggles with should we launch, should we not launch, and then when we do launch I know he paces and paces all day, always checking his watch, checking the weather, looking at the radar just like a dad waiting and worrying about all his children coming home safely.” - Kevin Van Dam
Photo: Seigo Saito - “You really only hear about Trip when the wheels come off, but I know him, and I know him so well I know how he fears bad weather days, big storms, struggles with should we launch, should we not launch, and then when we do launch I know he paces and paces all day, always checking his watch, checking the weather, looking at the radar just like a dad waiting and worrying about all his children coming home safely.” - Kevin Van Dam