A Brief History Of The Bassmaster Classic
The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic, otherwise known as The Bassmaster Classic, is a prestigious professional bass fishing tournament. The first event was held in 1971 at Lake Mead, Nevada during the fall season. In 1984, it transitioned to a summer and a late winter event in 2006.ย
Over the years, the Classic has evolved into a three-day extravaganza featuring theatrical fishing and is considered the โSuperbowl of Bass Fishing.โย ย
2023โs Bassmaster Classic will pit 55 of the best anglers against each other, vying for the title of Bassmaster Classic Champion.ย
Where And When Will This Yearโs Bassmaster Classic Be Held?
Event Venues & Locations
The 2023 Bassmaster Classic will be hosted in the beautiful Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the Tennessee River. This yearโs festivities will run from March 24 to March 26, 2023.ย
The Classic’s Outdoor Expo will be at the Knoxville Convention Center, with various exhibitors sell fishing, hunting, camping, and other merchandise. See the website’s complete list of exhibitors, including Battle Born Batteries, to check out who you’ll see at this year’s Expo. And don’t forget to bookmark the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo floor plan for the best map during the event!ย
Among the many excellent outdoor gear booths, the expo will have giveaways and prizes to win, a jumping dog contest, and a catfish pond. Toyota will also be hosting a โThe Toyota Ride & Driveโ event where you can discover which Toyota is perfect for you.ย
The Expo event schedule is listed below:ย
Friday, March 24, 2023 โ Media/B.A.S.S. Life & Nation Membersย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Members Preview
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 11 a.m. โ Noon
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย General Public
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Noon โ 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 โ 10 a.m. โ 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 26, 2023 โ 10 a.m. โ 4 p.m.
And now for the show highlight — the tournament on the water! Bass anglers will fish the Classic this year on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, TN.ย Catch daily Takeoffs at 7:30 am EDT and Weigh-ins at 3:30 pm EDT on Days 1, 2, and 3 of the tournament. Takeoffs will begin at Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville and Weigh-ins will occur at the Thompson-Boiling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus.ย
The Kickoff Party
The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic Kickoff Party will be Thursday, March 23, 2023, on the Plaza Terrace at the Knoxville Convention Center. The evening will showcase live music, entertainment, and even events for the kids!ย
Keep an eye on The Bassmaster Classic website for the most up-to-date information.
How Much Are The Tickets For The Bassmaster Classic?ย
All events and venues for The Bassmaster Classic are free and open to the public!
Thankful For Our Military And First Responders
Alongside Bassmaster, we are beyond grateful for our Military and First Responders, and this yearโs Classic wants to demonstrate gratitude. Saturday, March 25 is Military and First Responder Appreciation Day. If you are military or a first responder, simply show yourย ID to a staff member at the Bassmaster booth and get a free Bassmaster hat! Hats are limited to the first 100 people each day.ย
Best View In The House – The Sunsphere Observation Deck
The Knoxville Convention Center is home to Knoxvilleโs iconic Sunsphere, which will be open during the Bassmaster Classic Expo. The deck does require reservations, but you will have sweeping views of downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains. The Sunsphere website has additional information for hours and how to make reservations.ย
Plan Your Trip to Knoxville, TN
Are you looking for resources to help you plan your trip to Knoxville, Tennessee for the 2023 Bassmaster Classic? VisitKnoxville.comโs 2023 Official Knoxville Visitors Guide is your ultimate guide to making this yearโs event and travels unforgettable.
Knoxville is a unique destination of music, culture, art, excellent cuisine, outdoor recreation, and more.ย
The Battle Born Batteries Booth
And we canโt forget to mention Battle Born Batteries is so excited to join the Bassmaster Classic again in 2023! Our past attendances to the classic have been nothing short of exciting and full of great customers, anglers, and bass enthusiasts.
This year, Battle Born Batteries will be at Booth #4112 on Level 2. Stop by and learn how adding lightweight and powerful lithium-ion batteries to your bass boat or your RV can make all the difference for your time on the water or out on the road! And learn more about our all-new Dragonfly IntelLigence innovative battery technology options coming in Spring of 2023!