2015 Classic GoPro: Day 1 with Mike McClelland

McClelland, Rook, Swindle talk Classic lures, concerns and winning weights

Three veteran pros, with 34 Classic qualifications between them, answer five telling questions about the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.

What’s the coldest you ever recall being in a tournament? Read Story

Mike Draws 3rd For Classic!

Recently, B.A.S.S. held the drawing for boat numbers for the upcoming Bassmaster Classic at B.A.S.S. headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. The numbers were randomly drawn by B.A.S.S. staffers and will determine the order in which boats leave the dock on days 1 and 2 of the event.The top two positions were automatically given to reigning Angler of the Year Greg Hackney, who will be boat number 1, and Randy Howell, the 2014 Classic winner, who will be boat number 2. During the Classic, the full field of participants will be split into two flights, boats 1-28 and 29-56. On Day 1, the boats will head out on Lake Hartwell in numerical order. On Day 2, the order will be reversed with 56-29 followed by 28-1. On Day 3, after the field is cut to the Top 25, takeoff order will be decided by angler rank in the tournament.

Toyota Bassmaster AOY Championship Postponed

Read More

The 10th Bassmaster Elite Series season to showcase world-class fisheries

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In 2015, B.A.S.S. celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Bassmaster Elite Series with a schedule that commemorates some of the greatest events in bass fishing history. Six of the sites have hosted Elite tournaments in the past decade, and all eight fisheries are among the finest venues the sport has to offer for the best anglers in the business.

“It’s fitting that the 10th Elite Series season features such prominent and important fisheries,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin in announcing the 2015 schedule. “The schedule spans the country from coast to coast and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and it includes some of the very best bass lakes and rivers in the country — and some of the most challenging.” See photos of the 2015 schedule. Read More

On Mike McClelland

By Charlie Hartley Apr 16, 2014 - Every now and again I like to use this column to talk about one of the other anglers fishing the Elite Series. This week we’re going to take a look at Mike McClelland. In my humble opinion, he’s one of the best out there, and a man who deserves more press and accolades than he gets.

I don’t claim to be a close friend of his, although I do know him. That said, I’ve watched him for years. Do not be fooled by his reputation as a jerkbait angler. He is that, but he’s also about as versatile as a guy can get. Read More

Table Rock: Something old, something new

Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., had no way of predicting his future, but the foundation of his bass fishing future was built at Table Rock Lake, beginning when he was 9 or 10 years old, when he was "fishing with people who knew what they were doing."

That included an uncle who worked as a guide on Table Rock.

"I remember we threw a Wiggle Wart (crankbait) or a spinnerbait or a plastic worm," said the 46-year-old McClelland. "In the spring, during prespawn, it was just two baits, a Wiggle Wart and a spinnerbait. Read More

Rock On Arkansan Mike McClelland Triumphs At ‘The Rock’

BRANSON, Mo. — They call him “McStick.” As of Sunday, they can call him “McRock” too.

Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., added a seventh Bassmaster title by a nail-biting 13 ounces over Mark Davis in Sunday’s final round of the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Table Rock Lake.

“This is where I cut my teeth fishing,” said McClelland, now with four victories in his Bassmaster Elite Series career. “I’ve never had the opportunity to win a big one here before.”

To do it, McClelland sacked 61 pounds, 15 ounces of bass. His prize was $100,000 and an instant-in for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, his 10th qualification for the world championship. Read Full Story