The legendary men and women who brought to fruition Ray Scott’s improbable idea of turning bass fishing into a professional sport — and a billion-dollar tackle and marine industry — will be the focus of a documentary series premiering in January.
The Cast presented by Bass Pro Shops will feature episodes devoted to their historical influences on the sport and the business of pro angling, and specifically the impact B.A.S.S. had, and does, as the ground-breaking leader for the past 52 years.
The series is produced by JM Associates, the award-winning production company that produces the award-winning The Bassmasters, Bassmaster LIVE and related programming airing on FS1, Fox Sports and Bassmaster.com.
The Cast programming timeline begins with Scott, at the time a 33-year-old insurance salesman from Montgomery, Ala., whose dream of elevating bass fishing to the same level of prominence as professional sports like PGA golf, was more like a lost golf ball in high weeds than a doable reality. Nonetheless, Scott surrounded himself with believers who would work beside him to make it happen, and do it in a remarkably short timeline.
Episodes will air on FS1 and then be available for viewing at later dates on Bassmaster.com, the Bassmaster YouTube channel and more.
Jan 6, 8 a.m.: The Foundation of B.A.S.S. (Ray Scott Part I)
Scott had no plan other than a hypothetical idea of launching a legitimate pro bass fishing tour. Through his uncanny salesmanship the 1967 All-American was a success, leading to the formation of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), then Bassmaster Magazine. The growing B.A.S.S. membership would rally behind Scott’s conservation program and many other ideas.
Jan 13, 8 a.m.: B.A.S.S. in the 80s (Ray Scott Part II)
By the 1980s, B.A.S.S. was gaining national media notoriety while membership swelled to nearly 500,000. The Bassmasters TV series debuted in 1984 to capture the drama as it unfolded on the water. The show followed the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, while exposing how-to knowledge never seen before. Scott would also sell B.A.S.S. to Helen Sevier, his second employee while he remained as the front man.
Jan. 13, 8:30 a.m.: B.A.S.S. in the 90s (Ray Scott Part III)
B.A.S.S. in the 90s was best described as explosive and exciting. A legend won his fourth Bassmaster Classic, while another hero retired. Another became the first B.A.S.S. millionaire. And out of nowhere, a burger flipper from the Northeast won the sport’s most coveted title. Rick Clunn scored a dramatic come-from-behind fourth Bassmaster Classic win. Bryan Kerchal, a B.A.S.S. club member from Connecticut, won the 1994 Classic, while Hank Parker retired to pursue his television show and industry interests.
Jan. 13, 9 a.m.: B.A.S.S. Superstar Bill Dance
Dance, a furniture salesman from Memphis, Tenn., caught the first bass in Scott’s 1967 All-American tournament, a harbinger of great things to come. Dance went on to become the sport’s first superstar, fueled by his outgoing charisma, business savvy and angling success, all of it leading to the Bill Dance Outdoors show that defined him.
Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m.: 1st Generation of Superstars Part I: Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston
Martin early on established himself as a B.A.S.S. superstar by winning 19 tournaments and an unprecedented nine B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles. Martin’s unmistakable smile and blond hair made him marketable for sponsors, also making him a successful promoter and TV personality. Houston’s recognizable giggle, mop of blonde hair and wide-framed sunglasses made him an instant hit with his Jimmy Houston Outdoors TV series. Houston gained notoriety as a tackle and techniques innovator on the tournament trail, which led to his business success in television and as a savvy marketer.
Jan. 27, 9:30 a.m.: B.A.S.S. Superstar Hank Parker
Parker, who won the Classic in 1979 and 1989, also won 1983 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year. In 14 years as a B.A.S.S. pro, Parker qualified for 14 Classics before retiring at the age of 37, going on to be successful with his Hank Parker Outdoor Magazine series.
Feb. 10, 10 a.m.: B.A.S.S. Superstar: Rick Clunn
Voted by fans as the greatest professional bass angler of all time, Rick Clunn won four Bassmaster Classics, two of them in consecutive years, and went on to compete in an unprecedented 32 Classics. Clunn was sometimes misunderstood for his quest to master the mental side of the game, using meditation, visualization, transcendentalism and quantum physics. Nonetheless, at the age of 72, Clunn won his 16th B.A.S.S. tournament, will celebrate his 50th year of competing in 2024 and fish in his 500th Bassmaster event.
