(Nov. 07, 2009 - Celebration, FL.)... More than three months away from the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, the full field of 51 anglers was finalized Saturday with Darrell West of Drasco, Ark., winning the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship Operated by American Bass Anglers and scoring the final Classic berth. Also determined Saturday were two Classic berths from the Bassmaster Central Open circuit. James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, and Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La., earned those. vNiggemeyer double-qualified for the Classic - first through the Bassmaster Elite Series - and his Classic qualification will come from the Opens, opening the way for Mark Tucker of St. Louis, Mo., to move into the championship based on his position in the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.The 40th edition of the Classic will be held Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham. Ala. The field is highlighted by Kevin VanDam, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year and Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who scored the second berth ever for a female angler on the strength of her 2009 Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
Also qualifying were the top 36 anglers in the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings derived from the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series; the top two anglers in the Bassmaster Open points standings in each of three 2009 Opens Divisions; six amateur competitors through the 2009 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship and Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., the defending Classic champion.
With competitors who were double qualified, like Reese, BASS worked down the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings to fill the field. The full list of competitors can be found below arranged alphabetically.
"Anglers of all skill levels consider the Bassmaster Classic the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world and qualifying for it is quite an accomplishment," said Tom Ricks, BASS and ESPN Outdoors vice president and general manager. "We are excited to host the 40th edition of our marquee event in the state where BASS was founded."
According to BASS rules, Lay Lake will become off-limits to Bassmaster Classic participants beginning Monday, Dec. 14. Anglers will get another crack at the fishery during the official practice period, set for Feb. 12-14, and a final look Feb. 17.
The competition will feature daily launches Feb. 19-21 at Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp. Daily weigh-ins will take place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.
The tournament will receive more than 10 hours of television coverage on ESPN2 during the three-day event.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208.
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.
As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, 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 the Bassmaster, BASSInsider, ESPNOutdoors and ESPN360 websites, 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, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour, 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.
2010 BASSMASTER CLASSIC QUALIFIERS
| 1. Jody Adkins North Canton, Ohio |
| 2. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. |
| 3. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla. |
| 4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. |
| 5. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. |
| 6. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. |
| 7. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. |
| 8. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. |
| 9. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La. |
| 10. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. |
| 11. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas |
| 12. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. |
| 13. Jeff Freeman Max Meadows, Va. |
| 14. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. |
| 15. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. |
| 16. Matt Herren Trussville, Ala. |
| 17. Don Hogue Pasco, Wash. |
| 18. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. |
| 19. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. |
| 20. Alton Jones Waco, Texas |
| 21. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas |
| 22. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. |
| 23. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. |
| 24. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas |
| 25. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. |
| 26. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. |
| 27. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. |
| 28. Brent Long Cornelius, N.C. |
| 29. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. |
| 30. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. |
| 31. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark. |
| 32. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. |
| 33. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. |
| 34. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. |
| 35. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas |
| 36. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas |
| 37. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. |
| 38. Randy Phillips Oxford, Mass. |
| 39. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. |
| 40. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. |
| 41. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. |
| 42. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohio |
| 43. Bryan Schmidt Olney, Texas |
| 44. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. |
| 45. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. |
| 46. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. |
| 47. Mark Tucker St. Louis, Mo. |
| 48. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. |
| 49. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas |
| 50. Darrell West Drasco, Ark. |
| 51. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. |
