Jordan Lee – 2017 Bassmaster Classic Champion – Sparks Flying After Win.

New to the event? Start with our guide to what the Bassmaster Classic is, then use the year-by-year table below to follow every champion.

Bassmaster Classic records and milestones

Most Classic championships: Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam are tied with four wins each. Bassmaster’s historical analysis documents their title runs.

Back-to-back champions: Rick Clunn (1976–77), Kevin VanDam (2010–11), Jordan Lee (2017–18), and Hank Cherry (2020–21). B.A.S.S. confirmed Cherry’s milestone in 2021.

Record winning weight: Easton Fothergill’s 76 pounds, 15 ounces in 2025 was the highest winning total in Classic history at the time, according to Bassmaster. 2026 milestone: Dylan Nutt became only the second champion to qualify through B.A.S.S. Nation, joining Bryan Kerchal (1994). Read the official account.

Next championship: The 2027 Bassmaster Classic is scheduled for Lake Hartwell in Greenville, South Carolina; the next champion will be added after the event.

Explore the champions: The table now includes verified angler profiles, selected photos already in the Bass Fishing Facts media library, and social pages where a reliable account could be identified. “—” means no account was confirmed for that entry. For more historical winner photos, see Bassmaster’s official winners photo archive. Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens.

Bassmaster Classic champions, winning weights, boats, tournament locations, angler profiles and social links, 1971 to 2026.

Year	Classic champion	Winning weight (lb–oz)	Boat brand	Tournament water	Photo / profile	Social media
1971	Bobby Murray	43-11	N/A	Lake Mead, NV	—	—
1972	Don Butler	38-11	N/A	Percy Priest Reservoir, TN	—	—
1973	Rayo Breckenridge	52-8	N/A	Clarks Hill Lake, SC	—	—
1974	Tommy Martin	33-7	N/A	Wheeler Lake, AL	—	—
1975	Jack Hains	45-4	N/A	Currituck Sound, NC	—	—
1976	Rick Clunn	59-15	Ranger	Lake Guntersville, AL	—Profile ↗	—
1977	Rick Clunn	27-7	Glastron	Kissimmee Chain, FL	—Profile ↗	—
1978	Bobby Murray	37-9	N/A	Ross Barnett Reservoir, MS	—	—
1979	Hank Parker	31	N/A	Lake Texoma, TX	—	—
1980	Bo Dowden	54-10	N/A	St. Lawrence River, NY	—	—
1981	Stanley Mitchell	35-2	Ranger	Alabama River, AL	—	—
1982	Paul Elias	32-8	Ranger	Alabama River, AL	—	—
1983	Larry Nixon	18-1	Ranger	Ohio River, OH	—	—
1984	Rick Clunn	75-9	N/A	Arkansas River, AR	—Profile ↗	—
1985	Jack Chancellor	45	Ranger	Arkansas River, AR	—	—
1986	Charlie Reed	23-9	Ranger	Tennessee River, TN	—	—
1987	George Cochran	15-5	Ranger	Ohio River, OH	—	—
1988	Guido Hibdon	28-8	Ranger	James River, VA	—	—
1989	Hank Parker	31-6	Ranger	James River, VA	—	—
1990	Rick Clunn	34-5	Tracker	James River, VA	—Profile ↗	—
1991	Ken Cook	33-2	Javelin	Chesapeake Bay, MD	—	—
1992	Robert Hamilton, Jr	59-6	Ranger	Lake Logan Martin, AL	—	—
1993	David Fritts	48-6	Ranger	Lake Logan Martin, AL	—	—
1994	Bryan Kerchal	36-7	Ranger	High Rock Lake, NC	—	—
1995	Mark Davis	47-14	Basscat	High Rock Lake, NC	—	—
1996	George Cochran	31-14	Ranger	Lay Lake, AL	—	—
1997	Dion Hibdon	34-13	Ranger	Lake Logan Martin, AL	—	—
1998	Denny Brauer	46-3	Ranger	High Rock Lake, NC	—	—
1999	Davy Hite	55-10	Stratos	Louisiana Delta, LA	—	—
2000	Woo Daves	27-13	Nitro	Lake Michigan, IL	—	—
2001	Kevin VanDam	32-5	Nitro	Louisiana Delta, LA	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2002	Jay Yelas	45-13	Skeeter	Lay Lake, AL	—	—
2003	Michael Iaconelli	37-14	Ranger	Louisiana Delta, LA	Profile ↗	IG @mikeiaconelli · Facebook
2004	Takahiro Omori	39-2	Ranger	Lake Wylie, NC	—	—
2005	Kevin VanDam	12-15	Nitro	Three Rivers, PA	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2006	Luke Clausen	56-2	Ranger	Kissimmee Chain, FL	—	—
2007	Boyd Duckett	48-10	Triton	Lay Lake, AL	—	—
2008	Alton Jones	48-7	Skeeter	Lake Hartwell, SC	—	—
2009	Skeet Reese	54-13	Champion	Red River, LA	—	—
2010	Kevin VanDam	51-6	Nitro	Lay Lake, AL	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2011	Kevin VanDam	69-11	Nitro	Louisiana Delta, LA	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2012	Chris Lane	51-6	Legend	Red River, LA	—	—
2013	Cliff Pace	54-12	Skeeter	Grand Lake, OK	—	—
2014	Randy Howell	67-8	Triton	Lake Guntersville, AL	—	—
2015	Casey Ashley	50-1	Triton	Lake Hartwell, SC	—	—
2016	Edwin Evers	60-7	Nitro	Grand Lake, OK	—	—
2017	Jordan Lee	56-10	Legend	Lake Conroe, TX	Profile ↗	IG @jleefishing
2018	Jordan Lee	47-1	Ranger	Lake Hartwell, SC	Profile ↗	IG @jleefishing
2019	Ott Defoe	49-3	Nitro	Tennessee River, TN	Profile ↗	—
2020	Hank Cherry	65-5	BassCat	Lake Guntersville, AL	—Profile ↗	IG @hankcherryfishing
2021	Hank Cherry	50-15	BassCat	Ray Roberts, TX	—Profile ↗	IG @hankcherryfishing
2022	Jason Christie	54-00	Xpress	Lake Hartwell, SC	—Profile ↗	IG @christiefishing
2023	Jeff Gustafson	42-7	Lund	Tennessee River, TN	—Profile ↗	IG @gussyoutdoors · Facebook
2024	Justin Hamner	58-3	Falcon	Grand Lake O the Cherokees, Tulsa, OK	—Profile ↗	IG @justinhamnerfishing
2025	Easton Fothergill	76-15	Skeeter	Lake Ray Roberts, Fort Worth, TX	—Profile ↗	IG @eastonfothergillfish
2026	Dylan Nutt	66-13	Caymas	Tennessee River, Knoxville, TN	—Profile ↗	IG @dylan.nutt

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Manabu Kurita’s World Record Bass from 2009

Updated February 23, 2020, originally posted March 7, 2017.

Early Spring of 2011 – the International Game and Fish Association (IGFA) created a “length” world record category to go along with the well established weight-based world record categories. You can also compare those fish in our Top 10 world-record largemouth bass list for many freshwater and saltwater fish species. Instead of having to weigh a fish on land, this new category requires anglers to return the fish to the water alive after measurement. The IGFA All-Tackle Length category encompasses 64 freshwater and 73 saltwater species.

Largemouth Bass Length World Record

Lance Jones with his 65cm record bass on Lake Jeffery Florida – photo via Facebook

While the largemouth bass weight record (22+ pounds) is likely out of reach for most of us – as of February 2020, when this article was updated, the world record bass in the length category is only 25.59 inches (65cm)!

We know that largemouth bass have been documented to be up to 30-32 inches in length, however, a fish of those lengths has not been caught and documented in the proper way as to receive the IGFA World Record certification. As it currently stands, George Coniglio from Mission Viejo, California, USA and Lance Jones from Lake Jeffery, Florida, USA currently hold a TIE for the All-Tackle Length Record for Largemouth Bass with a confirmed and documented catch from May 13, 2015 for George and a confirmed catch on April 24, 2018 for Lance that both measured exactly 65 cm in length. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) length to weight conversion charts – at bass that is 25-26 inches in length is typically between 9-12 pounds. Catching a double-digit weighing bass is certainly a once in a lifetime occurrence for many anglers – however, it is not all that uncommon in the fishing world.

Be Prepared

Illustration © TPWD

You can only be awarded the World Record if you follow all the proper measuring rules and documentation procedures. To begin with, you’ll need the official IGFA World Record Measuring Device ($49.95). You’ll need to make sure that your catch is at least 2cm longer than the existing record (or it will be considered a tie). Next, make sure to take a picture of 1.) the full length of the fish on the measure device. 2.) a close up showing the position of the fish’s nose and tail on the measuring device. 3.) the angler and the fish. 4.) the rod and reel used to make the catch. You’ll also want to make a note of the type and pound test of the fishing line you used.

Good To Know

The IGFA highly recommends that you have a witness present. If not, you may be disqualified if any questions about the catch arise. Also, a record claim from the U.S. must be submitted within 60 days of the date of catch, while fish caught in other waters must be submitted within 3 months.

The post A Fishing World Record You Can Break | IFGA Length Record For Largemouth Bass Is Only 25.6 Inches! first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

Here are four scenarios – from photos shared on Facebook – of “all black” or melanistic largemouth bass. For another unusual color variation, see our article on gold largemouth bass.

Photo cred: Colton Holman

Photo cred: Justin Knox

Photo cred: Rex Mcllhaney

Photo cred: Glenda Flenniken Campbell

There are also known occurrences of melanistic animals in nature – such as this melanistic whitetail deer:

The post Melanistic “Black” Largemouth Bass first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

Largemouth Blanket from Dollar General spread out. Dimensions are 50 in. x 60 in.

Soft Fleece Throw Blanket with Largemouth for $8 from Dollar General

Most stores carry fleece throw blankets. They often come in various sizes, colors, patterns, and images. There is often wildlife such as wolves, deer, bears, tigers, horses and more. For the first time, a LARGEMOUTH BASS has been spotted on a fleece throw blanket for sale at Dollar General for $8. These items cannot be purchased online so check your local store for supplies.

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Here is a list of the 2019 ICAST Best of Category winners, with product links and the prices that were listed when this article was published.

Historical note: non-Amazon prices below reflect 2019-era listings and should not be treated as current pricing. For a very different look at tackle history, browse our classic bass lures. For Amazon-linked products, use the current-availability link instead.

Best of Category – Boating Accessories – Garmin USA
Product: Force™ Trolling Motor
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – Hobie
Product: Mirage ProAngler 14 with 360 Drive Technology
Price: $4,799

Best of Category – Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Product: WaterWoman
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Footwear – Frogg Toggs
Product: Skipper
Price: Available Spring 2020

Best of Category – Giftware – 13 Fishing 
Product: Fillet Table Beverage Management System
Price: Could Not Locate

Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company

Product: Yurei Air-O-Mesh Performance Shirt
Price: $55 – Available January 2020

Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – Simms Fishing Products
Product: M’s G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader
Price: $849.95

Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Overboard Submersible Shorts
Price: $99 – Available January 2020

Best of Category – Ice Fishing – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: Ice Helix 7 Chirp GPS G3N All-Season
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Cooler and Bait/Storage – Plano Synergy

Product: Frabill Magnum Bait Station 30
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools – Bubba
Product: 110V Electric Fillet Knife
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: MEGA 360 Imaging
Price: $1,199.99 – Available Soon

Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – Simms Fishing Products
Product: Dry Creek® Z Sling Pack
Price: $199.97

Best of Category – Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product: MW20 Finesse Set
Price: Not Listed

Best of Category – Fishing Line – PowerPro
Product: Moon Shine Braid
Price: $20.99 – $43.99

Best of Category – Kids’ Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: The Bumblebee by ProFISHiency
Price: Could Not Locate

Best of Category – Tackle Management – Plano Synergy
Product: Plano EDGE
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Terminal Tackle – Rapala
Product: VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble Short
Price: $5.99

Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product: Phantom Spider
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Slow-Roll Shiner
Price: $9.99

Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Erratic Shiner
Price: $9.99

Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Flutter Sardine
Price: $9.99

Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Shimano
Product: SLX DC Baitcasting Reels
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Saltwater Reel – Shimano
Product: Stradic FL Spinning Reel
Price: Check current availability

Best of Category – Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels
Product: SF (Small Fly)
Price: $750

Best of Category – Freshwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Mojo Bass Glass MGC72HM Rip N’ Chatter Rod
Price: $160

Best of Category – Saltwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Avid Surf VSS80MMF
Price: $260

Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Imperial Salt IS908.4
Price: From $340

Best of Category – Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing 
Product: Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcast Combo
Price: $129.99

The post 2019 ICAST Best of Category Winners: Full List first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

The organization was founded in 1976, still accepts members, and publishes the NFLCC Magazine twice a year. The primary mission of the non-profit is, “to promote the awareness of tackle collecting as a hobby, the preservation of vintage and collectible tackle information, history, and artifacts; to provide appropriate services, support information, and related activities to the NFLCC membership in pursuit of tackle collecting.”

Reference Website: http://www.nflcc.org/index.php

The post The National Fishing Lure Collectors Club Magazine Covers first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

How To Create A Hook From Ringpull Instructions

A clever brewing company has come up with the novel idea to create a fish hook out of a beer can tab. If you are more interested in actually tying on a hook, see our fishing knots guide. The brewery includes the 4 steps required to make a fish hook of out the can tab. The tab comes perforated in the appropriate sections so that it easily snaps from the twisting and folding action.

1. REMOVE RINGPULL FROM CAN
2. CUT ON LINES ———-
3. TWIST AND FOLD LOOP BACKWARDS
4. TIE ON LINE AND GO FISHING

While MacGyver-types have always been able to create things like hooks from a can tab with a simple pair of pliers – this makes it that much easier.

Fish Hook From Beer Ringpull

As you can tell from this Reddit thread, not everybody loves the novelty – with some commenters mentioning that if one plans to fish they will be prepared and would not need to rely on a beer ringpull for a hook or that you could cut yourself in the process of making it.

The fish hook – once produced from the can tab – does not look suitable to hold much other than live or cut-bait. It would be difficult to rig a soft-plastic and you run the likely event that the hook will bend or break if something of relative size bites.

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