Year of the Fan: Guntersville

B.A.S.S. is celebrating the
B.A.S.S. is celebrating the “Year of the Fan” in 2019. Here’s a look a some of the fans who attended the Academy Sports + Outdoors Elite Tournament at Lake Guntersville. Pictured here is Elite angler Hank Cherry with Blake Thomas of Huntsville, Ala.
Blake Thomas was the winner of an Academy Sports + Outdoors sweepstakes that gave him the opportunity to ride to the Elite weigh-in stage with a top 10 finisher (Hank Cherry), and present the big blue trophy to the tournament winner (Jamie Hartman).
Blake Thomas was the winner of an Academy Sports + Outdoors sweepstakes that gave him the opportunity to ride to the Elite weigh-in stage with a top 10 finisher (Hank Cherry), and present the big blue trophy to the tournament winner (Jamie Hartman).
Clearly an Elite Series trophy is heavy!
Clearly an Elite Series trophy is heavy!
Guntersville was Hartman's first Elite Series win, after coming close several times.
Guntersville was Hartman’s first Elite Series win, after coming close several times.
Mason Martin (center, in jersey) of Athens, Ala. won an Academy Sports + Outdoors prize pack that included a backstage tour.
Mason Martin (center, in jersey) of Athens, Ala. won an Academy Sports + Outdoors prize pack that included a backstage tour.
Mason get's to meet Hunter Shyrock.
Mason get’s to meet Hunter Shyrock.
Mason watches as David Fritts get's his fish checked.
Mason watches as David Fritts get’s his fish checked.
Charlotte Harris, the Partnership Marketing Specialist for Academy Sports + Outdoors snaps a backstage photo.
Charlotte Harris, the Partnership Marketing Specialist for Academy Sports + Outdoors snaps a backstage photo.
Harris inspects Brad Whatley's fish.
Harris inspects Brad Whatley’s fish.
Garrett Paquette checks in.
Garrett Paquette checks in.
Chad Pipkens gets a closer look at his fish.
Chad Pipkens gets a closer look at his fish.
Mason, who fishes on the Limestone County Fishing Team, was fascinated by the inner workings of an Elite tournament.
Mason, who fishes on the Limestone County Fishing Team, was fascinated by the inner workings of an Elite tournament.
Mason got a front row seat for the weigh-in.
Mason got a front row seat for the weigh-in.
Backstage, Mason was able to meet more Elite anglers...
Backstage, Mason was able to meet more Elite anglers…
...including Skylar Hamilton.
…including Skylar Hamilton.
Hamilton is Mason's favorite Elite angler. Maybe more-so now, after Hamilton gave the young man a package of baits.
Hamilton is Mason’s favorite Elite angler. Maybe more-so now, after Hamilton gave the young man a package of baits.
The Mercury Concert Series once again got the crowd fired up before weigh-in.
The Mercury Concert Series once again got the crowd fired up before weigh-in.
The Clay Jones Band played on Saturday. That's Grant Bowling on guitar.
The Clay Jones Band played on Saturday. That’s Grant Bowling on guitar.
Lead singer Justin Duncan put on a great show.
Lead singer Justin Duncan put on a great show.
Follow along as fans visit the Outdoor Expo and watch the Guntersville weigh-in.
Follow along as fans visit the Outdoor Expo and watch the Guntersville weigh-in.