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.
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Weldon was a long-time fixture on the Bassmaster Elite Series where he weighed the fish ...
Photo: Don Barone
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... addressed different groups attending the events ...
Photo: Don Barone
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... and led angler meetings.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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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
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Though most Bassmaster Elite Series fans will recognize him from the stage ...
Photo: Don Barone
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... he spent a lot of time behind the scenes answering questions and addressing tournament issues.
Photo: Don Barone
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His smartphone was always in his hand ...
Photo: Don Barone
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... even when it was inconvenient.
Photo: Don Barone
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Weldon poses with Bassmaster.com writer Don Barone.
Photo: Don Barone
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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
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From his early duties to the Bassmaster Classic ... through the years Weldon has kept order onstage during tournaments.
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Whether Weldon worked with emcee Dave Mercer ...
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... or Keith Alan ...
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... Weldon handled the fish while the emcee spoke with the anglers and pumped up the crowd.
Photo: Darren Jacobsen
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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.
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In addition to his weigh-in duties, Weldon has also handled a camera ...
Photo: James Overstreet
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... dodged fish ...
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... worn a championship belt ...
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... dressed up like Elvis ...
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... and had an angler put a towel on his head.
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There is no doubt that Weldon has enabled some of the most exciting moments in the sport of bass fishing.
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“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
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