It was a gray, rainy fall day when I got the call from an unknown Illinois number. I\u2019d been cooped up for hours, so I answered, figuring whoever was on the other end of the line was probably at least as interesting as the fact-checking I\u2019d been doing. And I was right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Doug Schermer, the longtime Bassmaster<\/em> Magazine illustrator, calling me up for a get-to-know-ya chat. We did get to know each other, and among the things I learned on that call is that Doug is also among the afflicted. He is, simply put, a chronic bass-head. We have that in common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we chatted about fishing and work, Doug updated me on some illustrations he was doing for a couple of issues of the magazine, including the ones you see on pages 56-61 of the Classic Preview issue, where he documented his experience riding along as part of the Bassmaster\u00a0AmBASSador\u00a0program at last season\u2019s Elite Series finale on the Upper Mississippi River.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug was recalling how interesting it was to see the varying approaches of the pros he was paired with, Patrick Walters and Hank Cherry. Then he said something I\u2019ve heard a hundred times from folks covering bass tournaments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s so hard to sit there and watch these guys fish all day and not pick up a rod and make a cast,\u201d Schermer said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Believe me when I say, I\u2019ve been there … many, many (so many) times. As frustrating as it can be to get up early and brave the conditions while other people have all the fun, there is a bright side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know, the great part about it is I always leave a tournament so fired up to go fishing,\u201d I told Schermer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s true. I can\u2019t count how many times I\u2019ve been to an event, then immediately placed a big tackle order (gotta have the winning baits) and cleared my schedule for a day on the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I can\u2019t help it. Just being around this sport, talking with other anglers, watching weigh-ins \u2014 all of it makes me want more of it. It\u2019s infectious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you feel the same way, then buckle up, because right now everyone here at B.A.S.S. is working hard to put the finishing touches on the biggest event of them all: the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour in Knoxville, Tenn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I couldn\u2019t be more excited. The Classic is so much more than just a tournament. It\u2019s a gathering. A celebration. Everywhere you turn, there\u2019s more fishing. If a normal event is a 25-horsepower outboard, the Classic is twin 300s churning at max rpm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve never experienced a Classic, go book a flight and a VRBO right now. I promise, you will leave inspired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At recent Classics I\u2019ve attended, I was working for an outboard manufacturer. The first year, I begged to go, and they rewarded me with the cushy job of handing out foam fish at takeoffs. That\u2019s good work if you can get it. I spent the rest of the time catching up with old colleagues, buying tackle, climbing into bass boats and enveloping myself in all things fishing. Then I returned home to Ohio practically climbing the walls with anticipation for nicer weather so I could get on the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, my Classic is going to look different. I\u2019ll be part of the B.A.S.S. staff, working the entire time to ensure all of you \u2014 and the thousands watching worldwide \u2014 enjoy the show. Well, I say \u201cthe entire time,\u201d but here\u2019s the truth: In the final moments, as a champion gets crowned, I\u2019ll be right there watching wide-eyed with everyone else, simply being a fan, soaking in the energy of the most monumental moment in our sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A moment that, I guarantee you, could get anyone seriously fired up to go fishing. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was a gray, rainy fall day when I got the call from an unknown Illinois number. I\u2019d been cooped up for hours, so I answered, figuring whoever was on the other end of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26949,"featured_media":1312521,"template":"","meta":{"byline":{"profiles":[{"type":"byline_id","atts":{"term_id":123426,"post_id":1376619}}]},"bassmaster_plugin_short_title":"","bassmaster_plugin_photo_attribution":[],"bassmaster_plugin_caption_attribution":[],"bassmaster_article_column":true,"bassmaster_article_columnists":[1376612],"bassmaster_dfp":[],"bassmaster_ad_refresh_interval_bool":false,"bassmaster_ad_refresh_interval_length":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[103295],"sponsors":[],"people":[],"tournaments":[104426],"tournament-series":[1301],"byline":[123426],"class_list":["post-1406184","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-classic","tournaments-2026-bassmaster-classic","tournament-series-classic"],"yoast_head":"\n