The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, will return to Fort Worth for fishing’s biggest event of the year. Dubbed the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing, this tournament is estimated to draw crowds approaching 150,000 to Fort Worth as anglers compete for a $1 million dollar purse on March 21-23, 2025.
The Fort Worth Sports Commission will host the tournament and festivities at the Fort Worth Convention Center and Dickies Arena. The tournament will be a week-long, fishing-themed party with the world championship of bass fishing as its centerpiece. Only the fourth time the Classic has been held in the Lone Star State, it will get a Texas-sized boost in attendance and participation with an expected economic impact of more than $25 million for local businesses. Weigh-ins and all of the usual festivities will be held in Fort Worth, the state’s 12th-largest city, with competition being held on Lake Ray Roberts in nearby Denton.
Fort Worth and Lake Ray Roberts hosted the event in 2021, drawing 147,197 fans. At the time, it was the second-largest crowd ever for a Bassmaster Classic and still a record for a Classic held in Texas.
“There was a lot of uncertainty in the world in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic the last time we visited Fort Worth — so much so that we had to move it to June instead of holding it in March,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “But the city of Fort Worth was so great to work with and the people in Texas came out and still made it one of the most exciting Classics we’ve ever had. They treated the Classic like what it is — a true celebration of the sport — even though circumstances forced that move to the summertime.
“Now, we’re really looking forward to going back to this fantastic venue during the time when the Classic is traditionally held.”
The annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo at the Fort Worth Convention Center will offer attendees deals on the latest fishing tackle and outdoors accessories from more than 200 exhibitors. They’ll also be able to rub shoulders with legends of the sport like Bassmaster and television superstar Bill Dance.
After soaking in all the Expo has to offer, attendees can enjoy the daily weigh-ins at nearby Dickies Arena, where a new angler will be crowned the Classic champion on Sunday, March 23, 2025. This title provides lifelong clout and a $300,000 first-place prize.
“We are extremely excited to welcome back the Bassmaster Classic and all the amazing anglers and fans to Fort Worth for an experience that they won’t soon forget,” said Jason Sands, executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission.
The last time the Classic visited Lake Ray Roberts in 2021, North Carolina pro Hank Cherry became the fourth angler to win the event in back-to-back years, holding off fellow North Carolina pro Matt Arey, who lost a crucial big fish at the boat late in the event. Cherry’s winning three-day weight was 50-15 pounds — an average of more than 16 pounds per day.
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