It is obvious that winning a Bassmaster Classic brings a lot of publicity to an angler. Ask any past winner of a Classic and he will tell you the same thing, that winning a classic is life changing. Of course, a $300,000 winning purse is life-changing, but the money is not the only reason an angler’s life has changed after winning a Classic. The publicity that an angler gets after winning a Classic is what changes their life forever. There is a reason why many people call it “the Super Bowl of bass fishing”. It is because nobody will forget a Bassmaster Classic winner. As media platforms are more present now than they have ever been, it seems difficult for a recent Classic champ to not be distracted by interviews, phone calls, and sponsorship responsibilities. Let’s look at which Bassmaster Classic champs in the last 20 years have handled the pressure with great follow-up finishes.
There have been 4 top 10 finishes in the last 20 years from a Bassmaster Classic champion in the tournament following their Classic win. Those four with a top ten finish are highlighted in bold below. These top 10 finishes are from Jordan Lee (2018), Kevin VanDam (2011 & 2005), and Michael Iaconelli (2003). Is it a coincidence that these anglers just so happen to have won AOY titles on major tour-level platforms? We think not. Anglers who can handle the pressure are the ones who will be the most successful.
Classic Champs (Last 20 years)
2022 Champ: Jason Christie
• Next Tournament: Santee Cooper Lakes
• Place: 93
2021 Champ: Hank Cherry
• Next Tournament: Lake Champlain
• Place: 69
2020 Champ: Hank Cherry
• Next Tournament: Lake Eufaula (3 months later due to COVID)
• Place: 18
2019 Champ: Ott Defoe
• Next Tournament: BPT at Kissimmee Chain
• Place: 16
2018 Champ: Jordan Lee
• Next Tournament: Grand Lake
• Place: 10
2017 Champ: Jordan Lee
• Next Tournament: Toledo Bend
• Place: 38
2016 Champ: Edwin Evers
• Next Tournament: St. Johns River
• Place: 16
2015 Champ: Casey Ashley
• Next Tournament: Sabine River
• Place: 44
2014 Champ: Randy Howell
• Next Tournament: Lake Seminole
• Place: 106
2013 Champ: Cliff Pace
• Next Tournament: Sabine River
• Place: 28
2012 Champ: Chris Lane
• Next Tournament: St. Johns River
• Place: 33
2011 Champ: Kevin VanDam
• Next Tournament: Harris Chain of Lakes
• Place: 4
2010 Champ: Kevin VanDam
• Next Tournament: California Delta
• Place: 29
2009 Champ: Skeet Reese
• Next Tournament: Lake Amistad
• Place: 22
2008 Champ: Alton Jones
• Next Tournament: Harris Chain of Lakes
• Place: 37
2007 Champ: Boyd Duckett
• Next Tournament: Lake Amistad
• Place: 93
2006 Champ: Luke Clausen
• Next Tournament: Lake Okeechobee
• Place: 80
2005: Champ: Kevin VanDam
• Next Tournament: Table Rock Lake
• Place: 2
2004 Champ: Takahiro Omori
• Next Tournament: Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
• Place: 41
2003 Champ: Michael Iaconelli
• Next Tournament: Harris Chain of Lakes
• Place: 4
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