Quick classic question

[ryanerb]

What is the theory of why the classic is held in the middle of the elite series rather than a “championship” at the end, based on the season leaderboard ?

[SDoolittle]

It is a championship based on the previous season. I don't know why it's held at this time of year.

[Sam]

Ryan, that is the $64,000 question.

 

I was told why it was done this way but I don't remember.

 

I guess we could come up with a number of reasons but I am going to contact BASS and ask them.

 

Will let you and the guys know what I find out.

 

 

[ryanerb]

50 minutes ago, Sam said:

Ryan, that is the $64,000 question.

 

I was told why it was done this way but I don't remember.

 

I guess we could come up with a number of reasons but I am going to contact BASS and ask them.

 

Will let you and the guys know what I find out.

 

 

Thanks Sam. Let us know. Sorry for the silly question, I was just curious. I will say maybe they do it in the spring so it is during spawning time? Just a wild guess. 

[Sam]

3 minutes ago, Ryan E said:

Thanks Sam. Let us know. Sorry for the silly question, I was just curious. I will say maybe they do it in the spring so it is during spawning time? Just a wild guess. 

I called and was told to call back tomorrow when they are open.

 

I have to speak to an Elite Tournament Director.

 

Will let all know what I was told.

[WRB]

The Classic was the last fall event for about 10 years, then became the winter event for about 30 years and past decade it's been moved to the following year spring event.

Tom

[OCdockskipper]

It was an Autumn, end of the year event until 1979, when it became a late summer event with 1 or 2 events following it.  It stayed that way until 2006, when it became a late winter, early spring event to begin the season.

 

The reason for the first change was to open up more lakes as potential sites, the second change was to get back to it being the final event for a season (even though it was held in different calendar year).  They took a cue from NASCAR, who kicks off their season with the Championship from the previous season.  It made more sense & gave them time to prepare months for their Super Bowl instead of just a couple of weeks following the last event.

 

However, after a rash of very cold Classics, including Hartwell in 2015 where boats were frozen to their trailers & couldn't be launched, in 2017 BASS pushed the Classic to mid March in hopes of avoiding ice fishing tourneys.  The problem with that is it is a bit too late to then start the Elite series in April, so they decided to hold an event or two before the Classic so as to not cram the entire season into a compressed schedule.  Unfortunately, they are now back to where the Classic neither ends nor kicks off the season. 

 

Interestingly enough, the last two Classics have been very compelling with weather changes causing major shakeups in the standings every day.  The last 1st day leader to win was Cliff Pace in 2013 at Grand Lake.  Further, NO day 1 leaders NOR day 2 leaders for the last five Classics have ended up winning, it has always been someone from down in the pack.

[scaleface]

I  would like to see them change it up yearly . A middle of the summer classic up north would be interesting .

[Sam]

I called BASS headquarters today and spoke with a wonderful guy who is an Elite Tournament Director.

 

He told me the reasons the Classic is held in March.

 

First, with football season starting in September and ending in January, that part of the calendar is off the table.

 

Follow that up with the heat of summer and you fall back into late winter or early spring, i.e. March.

 

And yes, the weather is a crap shoot. But the weather will always be a crap shoot no matter the time of the year or venue.

 

What he did not say was that getting a convention hall, parking, good ramps, great fishing, restaurants and hotel/motel rooms is also something that has to be taken into consideration.

 

So that, in a nutshell, are the reasons the Classic is held in March of each year, subject to change, of course.