And day one of the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors is in the books and what a long, awesome day it was! The official launch at Wolf Creek Park and Boating Facility on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees started off a little wet and the crowd was amazing! And then it was tuning into the live broadcast of the anglers on the water. For some, it was following the anglers on the water or online, but some sets their sights on the exciting Expo.
And of course that is the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors at the Cox Business Convention Center which opened with a ribbon cutting before the mass of media and Lifetime BASS members rushed inside for an hour head start on the general public. Of course, that hour goes by quickly! And then the crowds get a little thicker and it’s difficult to get done everything you want as far as early product videos, interviews, etc..
Of course, for media, the first day is sometimes the busiest. You are trying to get everything done, but you must also leave to go over to the weigh-in at the BOK Center. Sometimes you make it in time to catch the B.A.S.S. Kayak Championship presentation on stage, and sometimes you make it into the media room in time to talk to the winner.
In a hard found 2 days of fishing, with Guillermo Gonzalez taking the day 1 lead with 92.75 inches but Drew Gregory mounted a comeback with 180.50 inches to overtake Guillermo for the victory in the 2024 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. We have the interview up for everyone and a podcast will be done soon.
For the anglers out on the water today, it got tough for them. The water rose and the bass seemed to pull back off of where they were during practice. The first angler to weigh in this year was Drew Cook and he put an impressive five bass on the scales for 21 pounds and 2 ounces to set the scales high for everyone who followed.
Will Davis Jr. Was the next angler to ride into the arena. He had a decent day, but could not find the bigger fish from practice and had a nice 16 pound 3 ounces to land him in a tie for 10th place.
While it took a good while, Justin Hamner finally made his way into the arena. And arrive he did as he placed a sweet bag onto the scales, weighing an impressive 22 pounds 6 ounces to secure the lead for day one that he never relinquished. He will go out tomorrow as the leader, a place we all dream about.
How will the weather and the water level affect the anglers? Will it drive the bass back up or sent them out further? We will just have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to find out for sure. Will it take another 20 plus pound bag to maintain the lead? Or will someone find that monster bag to leap up from way back to be the new leader on Championship Sunday? We will see!
