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CLASSIC PROS
RETURN TO THE BIG EASY
31st Classic Put Fishing1s Spotlight on New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Davy Hite has nothing but good
memories of New Orleans and the Louisiana Delta. And that is
understandable. After all, the last summer that he was here,
the big Delta surrendered 55 pounds of bass to him and the Big
Easy crowned him the champion of the prestigious BASS Masters
Classic.
"That week changed
my life," the South Carolina pro said. "Not only was
it
the most exciting thing to happen in my career, it provided me
with the
financial security I wanted for my family.
"There's nothing like
winning the Classic."
That was August of 1999
when the B.A.S.S. pros alerted the world to the
wealth of bass that live in the shadow of New Orleans.
On Aug. 2-4, 45 of America1s
brightest fishing minds will return to New
Orleans and the Louisiana Delta for a replay of that phenomenal
week two
years ago. Included will be defending Classic champion Woo Daves
and
recently crowned B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Mark Davis.
Missing will be Davy Hite,
who failed to qualify for a return trip to New
Orleans. Hite will be in town to work the Classic Outdoor Show
for his
fishing industry sponsors, as well as greeting his fishing fans.
"You don't know how much I hate not being able to fish this
Classic," Hite
said. "I would love another shot at the Louisiana Delta.
It's a great
fishery.
"New Orleans is a
great place to hold the Classic. There is so much for
adults and their families to do. It's a great city and the perfect
place for
all of the festivities that are part of Classic Week."
The 45 Classic contenders
will be fishing for a $100,000 top prize and the
most important title in the sport. Winning the Classic is the
high-water
mark in professional fishing and an accomplishment that has rewarded
past winners with as much as $1 million in residual earnings.
The Classic is the championship
event of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail.
By sanctioning over 20,000
tournaments worldwide, B.A.S.S. is the world's
largest fishing organization. The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail
is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass fishing tournament
circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism,
and sportsmanship after more than three decades. B.A.S.S. is
a wholly owned subsidiary of ESPN.
BASS Masters Classic XXXI
is a week-long celebration for those who love the sport of bass
fishing. Notable activities during the 2001 Classic Week in
New Orleans include the Kids Klassic which takes place on Wednesday,
August 1st at Lafreniere Park. The event is highlighted by a
Meet the Pros
autograph session from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the contest taking
place from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Morial Convention Center
will host the popular Classic Outdoor Show,
which showcases new products in the fishing and outdoor industry.
The show will be open to the public from Thursday through Saturday.
In addition to
the Classic Outdoor Show the Morial Convention Center will also
host the
first two days1 weigh-ins. There is no admission charge.
The annual BASSMASTER CastingKids
national finals, sponsored by Chevy Trucks, will also be held
at the Morial Convention Center on Friday.
The final day weigh-in
and the award-winning BASS Masters Classic weigh-in show will
take place at the Louisiana Superdome on Saturday, August 4th.
The show will be complete with a laser light show and will feature
the crowning of the new BASS Masters Classic Champion.
The 31st BASS Masters Classic
will air on Saturday August 18, 2001 at 9:00PM (Eastern) on ESPN2.
Sponsors of the 2001 BASS
Masters Classic include: Chevrolet Trucks, Mercury Marine, Yamaha
Engines, Triton Boats, Skeeter Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Pennzoil
Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, Stowaway Batteries, Kuhmo
Tires, Long John Silvers, Gore-Tex Outwear, Motorguide Trolling
Motors, Bass Pro Shops, Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools, GMAC
Vehicle & Boat Insurance, B.A.S.S. Platinum First USA Visa
Card.
Associate Sponsors include:
Bass Cat Boats, G3 Boats
Regional Sponsors include:
State of Louisiana, Jefferson Parish Tourism, Greater New Orleans
Sports Foundation
Qualifiers
for 2001 Classic announced
Based on the season
point standings the following anglers have qualified for the
2001 BASS Masters Classic with competition days August 2-4 in
New Orleans, LA.
Top 150
001 Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR
002 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI
003 Rick Clunn Ava, MO
004 Clark Wendlandt Cedar Park, TX
005 Peter Thliveros Jacksonville, FL
006 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ
007 Alton Jones Waco, TX
008 Bud Pruitt Sam Rayburn, TX
009 Takahiro Omori Emory, TX
010 Aaron Martens Castaic, CA
011 Gary Yamamoto Mineola, TX
012 David Walker Cannon, KY
013 Marty Stone Linden, NC
014 Randy Howell Trussville, AL
015 Paul Elias Pachuta, MS
016 David Fritts Lexington, NC
017 Curt Lytle Suffolk, VA
018 Harold Allen Shelbyville, TX
019 Chet Douthit Clewiston, FL
020 Robert Kilby Hot Springs, AR
021 Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR
022 Gerald Swindle Hayden, AL
023 Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, NC
024 Randy Blaukat Lamar, MO
025 Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL
2000 BASS Masters Classic
Defending Champion- Automatic Berth
Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA
East
001 Roland Martin Clewiston FL
002 Rufus Johnson Strawplains TN
003 Dwayne Horton Knoxville TN
004 Mark Menendez Paducah KY
005 Gerry Williams Winter Garden FL
Central
001 Jay Yelas Tyler TX
002 Todd Faircloth Jasper TX
003 Kelly Jordon Mineola TX
004 Scott Rook Little Rock
005 Keith Green Arkadelphia AR
Western
001 Skeet Reese Auburn CA
002 Mark Tyler Concord CA
003 Kotaro Kiriyama New Milford NJ
004 Robert Lee Angels Camp CA
Federation
Michael Holt Lexington, TN
John Semken Olympia, WA
Pete Ponds Madison, MS
Jim Johnson Lacrosse, WI
Harry Charcalis Gilmanton, NH
Super Bowl of Bass Fishing
Returns to New Orleans
Louisiana
Delta to Host
The 31st BASS Masters Classic
MONTGOMERY, Ala., January
19, 2001 - Professional
fishing's most
prestigious event -- the BASS Masters Classic -- is set to return
to New
Orleans August 2-4.
"The state of Louisiana
is excited to host the biggest event in professional fishing
and the world's largest fishing organization,' said Lt. Gov.
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. "We are also very enthusiastic
about another opportunity to showcase Louisiana's great outdoors
and many tourist attractions."
The weigh-ins will be conducted
at the recently constructed New Orleans Arena. The New Orleans
Arena will offer fans a chance to get up-close and personal with
the superstars of professional angling.
"We are delighted
to be returning to New Orleans," said B.A.S.S., Inc. CEO
Helen Sevier. "New Orleans was the site of one of the best-attended
Classics in the history of the event. With the history, culture
and cuisine the city has to offer, our anglers and fans have
a lot to look forward to."
In 1999, New Orleans fans
were able to witness Davy Hite catapult to international fame
with his 55-pound 10-ounce victory.
"The New Orleans Arena
is a brand-new, state-of-the-art arena," said Dave Ellison,
Classic Special Events Director. "It is one of the most
spectator-friendly and technically advanced venues in the nation.
It will allow fans to watch the Classic, but feel like they are
in the comfort of their own living room."
Vacationers from around
the world are attracted to the award-winning extravaganza and
consumer show to see the fishing prowess of legendary anglers
firsthand. In addition to the spectacular weigh-in shows, fans
will be able to attend the BASS Masters Classic Outdoor Show
at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Fans attending the
Outdoor Show will be able to see the newest products available
to avid outdoors entusiasts.
State Rep. John Alario,
whose district incudes Bayou Segnette State Park, was instrumental
in bringing the BASS Masters Classic back to the Big Easy. "All
46 competitors launch from the park and can expect to return
to some of the best fans in the world at the daily weigh-ins
and outdoors show."
Great anticipation and
nail-biting suspense will surround the final-day weigh-in as
the championship crown, $100,000, and endorsements reaching up
to $1 million will be up for grabs to the winning angler.
"The Louisiana Delta
is an excellent fishery," remarked B.A.S.S. National Tournament
Director Dewey Kendrick. "The Delta is a location we have
been to many times in the past, and the fishing has always been
very good. I think that we will see some extremely competitive
fishing this year."
2000 BASS Masters Classic
Champion Woo Daves agrees. "The Louisiana Delta offers great
fishing everywhere," he said. "I am extremely excited
about the opportunity to defend my world title in New Orleans."
National Sponsors of the
BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include: Ranger' Boats, RangerTrail'
Trailers, Mercury' Outboard, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco' Batteries,
Worldwaters.com, Humminbird' Electronics, Zercom' Marine, Pennzoil'
Marine, Flowmaster' Exhaust Systems, B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa®/First
USA, MotorGuide' Trolling Motors, Gore-Tex' Outerwear, GMAC Insurance
and Kuhmo' Tires.
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