Your Chance to Meet the Bassmaster Classic Greats
OutdoorHub 02.20.12
There is no greater event in the world of bass fishing than the Bassmasters Classic. With this year’s “Super Bowl of Fishing” coming to our area, fishing fans are gearing up for an exciting week of activities. To start with; no real bass fan would want to miss the Bassmasters Classic Kick-off Party on Thursday, February 23rd from 4-6pm at H&W Marine on Benton Road in Bossier City. Presented by Triton Boats and Mercury Marine, this is going to be a great opportunity to meet some of the professional anglers competing in this year’s Classic plus some real Classic Greats.
Professional anglers appearing at the H&W Marine Bassmasters Classic Kick-off Party will include Shaw Grigsby, Gary Klein, Gerald Swindle, Terry Scroggins, Davy Hite, Jeff Kriet, Boyd Duckett, Paul Elias, Brent Chapman, Randy Howell, Stephen Browning, Fred Roumbanis, Casey Ashley, Matt McCoy, Chris Price, John Diaco, Jamie Horton, Derek Remitz, Jonathon VanDam, Brandon Card and others. Also attending will be the famous founder of Triton Boats, Earl Bentz. While you are there, be sure and register to win the lifetime fishing license they are giving away. The event will also be offering up free gumbo and plenty of free giveaways. This event is definitely worth stopping by on your way home Thursday.
The public is invited to come watch the Classic competitors launch and blast off from Red River South Marina, off Hwy. 71 South in Bossier City, around sunrise on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Feb 24th – 26th. Once the pros launch, you can have the chance to go out on the water in a free demo ride provided by H&W Marine and Triton Boats. They will be giving boat rides until early afternoon all three days. If you would like to pre-schedule a time to go out in a new Triton Boat, call 318-747-5182 or send request online at the HWmarine website or the tritonboats website/bassmaster_classic.aspx and they will reserve you a spot.
The greatest fishing event on earth would not be complete without a fantastic Outdoors Show. The 2012 Bassmasters Classic Outdoor Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods offers free admission and a ton of exhibits with something for everyone. The EXPO takes place at the Shreveport Convention Center and show hours are Friday, Feb. 24th 11:00am – 8:00pm, Saturday, Feb. 25th 10:00am – 7:00pm and Sunday Feb. 26th 10:00am – 4:00pm.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, make your way to the weigh-in arena, the CenturyLink Center at 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive in Bossier City, before the doors open at 3 p.m. for fan seating. Seats will fill up quickly. To get the party started, two music acts will precede the anglers. The country-rock band Bush Hawg will perform Saturday. Brian Shram, aka The Rockin’ Fisherman, will take the stage Sunday before the weigh-in begins.
The Bassmaster Classic was previously held in the Shreveport-Bossier City area in 2009 and shattered attendance records. The 2012 experience promises to live up to the Classic name, an experience to remember as three days of excitement and fun. Fans can expect to witness a world-class competition; spend hours at a free, kid-in-a-candy store outdoor show; and be surrounded by people who would rather be fishing than doing anything else. The Feb. 24-26 event is not only the world championship of bass fishing, but also an all-out celebration of the sport.
