11-08-2010, 08:10 PM
More than three months away from the 2011 Bassmaster Classic, the full field of 51 anglers was finalized Saturday with Ryan McMurtury or Abbeville, South Carolina, winning the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship Operated by American Bass Anglers and scoring the final Classic berth.
The 41st edition of the Classic will be held Feb. 18-20 on Louisiana Delta out of New Orleans, La. The field is highlighted by reigning Bassmaster Classic and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Champion Kevin VanDam.
VanDam, who won his first Bassmaster Classic in 2001 on the Louisiana Delta, is only the second angler in BASS history to hold both the Classic and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles simultaneously. He now owns three Classic and six AOY titles.
Also qualifying were the top 36 anglers in the 2010 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings derived from the 20010 Bassmaster Elite Series; the top two anglers in the Bassmaster Open points standings in each of three 2010 Opens Divisions; and six amateur competitors through the 2010 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship. The full list of competitors can be found below arranged alphabetically.
"The Bassmaster Classic the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world," said Tom Ricks, BASS vice president and general manager. "We are excited that New Orleans will serve as host for the 41st Classic."
According to BASS rules, the Louisiana Delta will become off-limits to Bassmaster Classic participants beginning Monday, December 13, 2010. Anglers will get another crack at the fishery during the official practice period, set for February 11-13, 2011, and a final look on February 16, 2011.
The competition will feature daily launches February 18-20 at the Bayou Segnette State Park. Daily weigh-ins will take place at the New Orleans Arena, and the New Orleans Convention Center will play host to the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo.
For related photos of the Classic qualifiers, visit www.bassmastermedia.com
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2075 or visit Bassmaster.com.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, and ESPN3.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
2011 BASSMASTER CLASSIC QUALIFIERS
Defending Champion (1)
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Kevin VanDam (21)
Home state<br />
MI<br />
Bassmaster Elite Series (36)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Edwin Evers (10)<br />
Skeet Reese (12)<br />
Terry Butcher (2)<br />
Aaron Martens (12)<br />
Cliff Pace (4)<br />
Russ Lane (4)<br />
Greg Hackney (9)<br />
Tommy Biffle (17)<br />
Gary Klein (29)<br />
Derek Remitz (3)<br />
John Crews (5)<br />
Brian Snowden (5)<br />
Mark Davis (15)<br />
Mike McClelland (8)<br />
Todd Faircloth (9)<br />
Scott Rook (8)<br />
Morizo Shimizu (1)<br />
Matt Herren (3)<br />
Bill Lowen (3)<br />
Stephen Browning (7)<br />
Michael Iaconelli (12)<br />
Dave Wolak (5)<br />
Shaw Grigsby (13)<br />
Boyd Duckett (5)<br />
Bobby Lane (4)<br />
Jeff Kriet (7)<br />
Gerald Swindle (11)<br />
Jason Williamson (1)<br />
Greg Vinson (1)<br />
Steve Kennedy (5)<br />
Dean Rojas (9)<br />
Brent Chapman (10)<br />
Kevin Wirth (12)<br />
Kelly Jordon (9)<br />
Terry Scroggins (8)<br />
Paul Elias (15)
Home state<br />
OK<br />
CA<br />
OK<br />
AL<br />
MS<br />
AL<br />
LA<br />
OK<br />
TX<br />
AL<br />
VA<br />
MO<br />
AR<br />
AR<br />
TX<br />
AR<br />
JP<br />
AL<br />
OH<br />
AR<br />
NJ<br />
NC<br />
FL<br />
AL<br />
FL<br />
OK<br />
AL<br />
SC<br />
AL<br />
AL<br />
AZ<br />
KS<br />
KY<br />
TX<br />
FL<br />
MS<br />
Southern Opens (2)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Randall Tharp (1)<br />
Andy Montgomery (1)
Home state<br />
AL<br />
SC<br />
Central Opens (2)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Keith Combs (1)<br />
Clark Reehm (2)
Home state<br />
TX<br />
TX<br />
Northern Opens (2)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Ryan Said (1)<br />
Tracy Adams (1)
Home state<br />
MI<br />
NC<br />
Federation Nation (6)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Sean Alvarez (1)<br />
George Crain (1)<br />
Dale Hightower (1)<br />
Brian LaClair (1)<br />
Brandon Palaniuk (1)<br />
David Watson (1)
Home state<br />
VT<br />
AL<br />
OK<br />
DE<br />
ID<br />
IN<br />
Weekend Series (1)<br />
Name (No. of Classics) Home state<br />
Ryan McMurtury (1) SC
The 41st edition of the Classic will be held Feb. 18-20 on Louisiana Delta out of New Orleans, La. The field is highlighted by reigning Bassmaster Classic and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Champion Kevin VanDam.
VanDam, who won his first Bassmaster Classic in 2001 on the Louisiana Delta, is only the second angler in BASS history to hold both the Classic and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles simultaneously. He now owns three Classic and six AOY titles.
Also qualifying were the top 36 anglers in the 2010 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings derived from the 20010 Bassmaster Elite Series; the top two anglers in the Bassmaster Open points standings in each of three 2010 Opens Divisions; and six amateur competitors through the 2010 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship. The full list of competitors can be found below arranged alphabetically.
"The Bassmaster Classic the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world," said Tom Ricks, BASS vice president and general manager. "We are excited that New Orleans will serve as host for the 41st Classic."
According to BASS rules, the Louisiana Delta will become off-limits to Bassmaster Classic participants beginning Monday, December 13, 2010. Anglers will get another crack at the fishery during the official practice period, set for February 11-13, 2011, and a final look on February 16, 2011.
The competition will feature daily launches February 18-20 at the Bayou Segnette State Park. Daily weigh-ins will take place at the New Orleans Arena, and the New Orleans Convention Center will play host to the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo.
For related photos of the Classic qualifiers, visit www.bassmastermedia.com
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2075 or visit Bassmaster.com.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, and ESPN3.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
2011 BASSMASTER CLASSIC QUALIFIERS
Defending Champion (1)
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Kevin VanDam (21)
Home state<br />
MI<br />
Bassmaster Elite Series (36)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Edwin Evers (10)<br />
Skeet Reese (12)<br />
Terry Butcher (2)<br />
Aaron Martens (12)<br />
Cliff Pace (4)<br />
Russ Lane (4)<br />
Greg Hackney (9)<br />
Tommy Biffle (17)<br />
Gary Klein (29)<br />
Derek Remitz (3)<br />
John Crews (5)<br />
Brian Snowden (5)<br />
Mark Davis (15)<br />
Mike McClelland (8)<br />
Todd Faircloth (9)<br />
Scott Rook (8)<br />
Morizo Shimizu (1)<br />
Matt Herren (3)<br />
Bill Lowen (3)<br />
Stephen Browning (7)<br />
Michael Iaconelli (12)<br />
Dave Wolak (5)<br />
Shaw Grigsby (13)<br />
Boyd Duckett (5)<br />
Bobby Lane (4)<br />
Jeff Kriet (7)<br />
Gerald Swindle (11)<br />
Jason Williamson (1)<br />
Greg Vinson (1)<br />
Steve Kennedy (5)<br />
Dean Rojas (9)<br />
Brent Chapman (10)<br />
Kevin Wirth (12)<br />
Kelly Jordon (9)<br />
Terry Scroggins (8)<br />
Paul Elias (15)
Home state<br />
OK<br />
CA<br />
OK<br />
AL<br />
MS<br />
AL<br />
LA<br />
OK<br />
TX<br />
AL<br />
VA<br />
MO<br />
AR<br />
AR<br />
TX<br />
AR<br />
JP<br />
AL<br />
OH<br />
AR<br />
NJ<br />
NC<br />
FL<br />
AL<br />
FL<br />
OK<br />
AL<br />
SC<br />
AL<br />
AL<br />
AZ<br />
KS<br />
KY<br />
TX<br />
FL<br />
MS<br />
Southern Opens (2)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Randall Tharp (1)<br />
Andy Montgomery (1)
Home state<br />
AL<br />
SC<br />
Central Opens (2)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Keith Combs (1)<br />
Clark Reehm (2)
Home state<br />
TX<br />
TX<br />
Northern Opens (2)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Ryan Said (1)<br />
Tracy Adams (1)
Home state<br />
MI<br />
NC<br />
Federation Nation (6)<br />
Name (No. of Classics)<br />
Sean Alvarez (1)<br />
George Crain (1)<br />
Dale Hightower (1)<br />
Brian LaClair (1)<br />
Brandon Palaniuk (1)<br />
David Watson (1)
Home state<br />
VT<br />
AL<br />
OK<br />
DE<br />
ID<br />
IN<br />
Weekend Series (1)<br />
Name (No. of Classics) Home state<br />
Ryan McMurtury (1) SC