What does B.A.S.S. stand for and how did it get its name?

I knew I wanted it to have the acronym B.A.S.S., but I wasn't sure what the letters should stand for. We tried different things, but none of them stuck.

When I started the organization back in 1967, I knew I wanted it to have the acronym B.A.S.S., but I wasn't sure what the letters should stand for. We tried different things, but none of them stuck.

Finally, I called my friend Homer Circle in Florida. I thought he might be able to come up with something. He gave me the number of Bob Steber, the outdoor editor of the Nashville Tennessean. I called him and told him my issue. Steber said he'd call me back.

About 15 minutes later, the phone rang and Steber said, "How about Bass Anglers Sportsman Society?"

At first I thought that was too long, and told him so. "Yeah, but that's another reason they'll call it B.A.S.S. for short," he said.

I thanked him, hung up the phone, and told the staff, "We've got a name."