There are kids who grow up dreaming of coming up to bat in the bottom of the ninth, 3 on, 2 outs, down by 3. I imagine some of the field in this year’s Bassmaster Classic will feature guys whose childhood dream wasn’t hitting that game winning home run but setting the hook on a double-digit bass to take the lead with half an hour until rods down.

This year’s Classic will take place on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tennessee March 24th through the 26th. 55 of the world’s best anglers will descend on the city to decide who walks away with a $300,000 check and bragging rights for the rest of the year. 

The largest tributary of the Ohio River, the Tennessee River is over 650 miles long and plays host to numerous fish species. It is a bucket list fishery for many with tales of catfish large enough to swallow small cars and stripers that can take boats of lesser stature for a sleigh ride.

And when you hear that a near state record blue cat of 107 pounds came out of the river, you don't have to try too hard to believe the stories. Now I can talk tall fishing tales all day, but B.A.S.S. isn't bringing the Classic to the Tennessee River for giant blue cats... They are there for bass. 

What would the World Series of fishing be without excitement? Late March bass fishing in the south should deliver precisely that, in spades. We will see water temps well into spawning range, so bass on beds should be a given.

Another important factor here is the Tennessee River is just that, a river. Some possible areas for success will be near vegetation, eddies, and areas of merging current. There are plenty of big names and big personalities competing for the title of Bassmaster Classic champion. A few on my radar are John Cox, Keith Poche, Shane LeHew, and Matt Robertson.