Bassmaster Classic Winners: The Complete List
Looking for a complete list of all of the Bassmaster Classic winners? You’re in the right place. Only 44 people have ever won a Bassmaster Classic. Those people are:
Bobby Murray, Don Butler, Rayo Breckenridge, Tommy Martin, Jack Hains, Rick Clunn, Hank Parker, Bo Dowden, Stanley Mitchell, Paul Elias, Larry Nixon, Jack Chancellor, Charlie Reed, George Cochran, Guido Hibdon, Ken Cook, Robert Hamilton Jr., David Fritts, Bryan Kerchal, Mark Davis, Dion Hibdon, Denny Brauer, Davy Hite, Woo Daves, Kevin VanDam, Jay Yelas, Michael Iaconelli, Takahiro Omori, Luke Clausen, Boyd Duckett, Alton Jones, Skeet Reese, Chris Lane, Cliff Pace, Randy Howell, Casey Ashley, Edwin Evers, Jordan Lee, Ott Defoe, Hank Cherry, Jason Christie, Jeff Gustafson, Justin Hamner, Easton Fothergill.
Since its creation in 1971, the Bassmaster Classic has stood as the ultimate event in professional bass fishing. Founded by Ray Scott, the Classic was designed to crown a true world champion, bringing together the best anglers of the era to compete for the sport’s most prestigious title. Over the decades, the Classic has evolved alongside advances in boats, electronics, and techniques, but its significance has never changed. Winning the Classic defines careers, elevates anglers into legend status, and represents the pinnacle of competitive bass fishing.
Here is the list in chronological order:
Complete List of All Bassmaster Classic Winners
After the list we will discuss the major eras of the Bassmaster Classic, as well as list those that have won more than once.
1971 – Bobby Murray
1972 – Don Butler
1973 – Rayo Breckenridge
1974 – Tommy Martin
1975 – Jack Hains
1976 – Rick Clunn
1977 – Rick Clunn
1978 – Bobby Murray
1979 – Hank Parker
1980 – Bo Dowden
1981 – Stanley Mitchell
1982 – Paul Elias
1983 – Larry Nixon
1984 – Rick Clunn
1985 – Jack Chancellor
1986 – Charlie Reed
1987 – George Cochran
1988 – Guido Hibdon
1989 – Hank Parker
1990 – Rick Clunn
1991 – Ken Cook
1992 – Robert Hamilton, Jr
1993 – David Fritts
1994 – Bryan Kerchal
1995 – Mark Davis
1996 – George Cochran
1997 – Dion Hibdon
1998 – Denny Brauer
1999 – Davy Hite
2000 – Woo Daves
2001 – Kevin VanDam
2002 – Jay Yelas
2003 – Michael Iaconelli
2004 – Takahiro Omori
2005 – Kevin VanDam
2006 – Luke Clausen
2007 – Boyd Duckett
2008 – Alton Jones
2009 – Skeet Reese
2010 – Kevin VanDam
2011 – Kevin VanDam
2012 – Chris Lane
2013 – Cliff Pace
2014 – Randy Howell
2015 – Casey Ashley
2016 – Edwin Evers
2017 – Jordan Lee
2018 – Jordan Lee
2019 – Ott Defoe
2020 – Hank Cherry
2021 – Hank Cherry
2022 – Jason Christie
2023 – Jeff Gustafson
2024 – Justin Hamner
2025 – Easton Fothergill
Bassmaster Classic Winners: The Eras
The Early Years: 1971–1979
The inaugural Bassmaster Classic was held on Lake Mead in Nevada, where Bobby Murray etched his name into history as the first champion. The early years featured anglers who would become pioneers of the sport, helping establish professional bass fishing as a legitimate competitive arena.
Rick Clunn’s back-to-back victories in 1976 and 1977 marked the first true dynasty in Classic history and set the tone for future generations.
Establishing Legends: The 1980s
By the 1980s, the Bassmaster Classic had become the sport’s biggest event, and winning it could instantly elevate an angler’s career. Rick Clunn continued to build his legacy with another victory in 1984, while Hank Parker secured his second Classic title in 1989. Guido Hibdon, Larry Nixon, and George Cochran also joined the growing list of champions who would shape the sport for decades to come.
New Faces and Breakthrough Wins: The 1990s
The 1990s ushered in a new generation of Classic champions while still featuring dominant performances from established veterans. Rick Clunn captured his fourth Classic title in 1990, a record that stood for over two decades. Anglers like Ken Cook, Mark Davis, and Denny Brauer added their names to the trophy, while Bryan Kerchal delivered one of the most memorable victories in 1994 after qualifying through the B.A.S.S. Nation route.
This era highlighted the increasing depth of talent in professional fishing, with more anglers capable of winning than ever before. The Classic was no longer dominated by a small group, t had become anyone’s game.
The Kevin VanDam Era and Modern Expansion: 2000–2009
As the new millennium began, professional bass fishing entered a modern era defined by increased media exposure, sponsorship growth, and advancing technology. Kevin VanDam quickly became the defining angler of his generation, winning his first Classic in 2001 and adding another in 2005.
Other notable champions during this decade included Michael Iaconelli, who’s emotional 2003 victory remains one of the most iconic moments in Classic history, and Takahiro Omori, who became the first Japanese angler to win the event in 2004.
Dominance, Youth, and Technology: 2010–2019
Kevin VanDam solidified his place in history by winning back-to-back Classics in 2010 and 2011, bringing his total to four victories and tying Rick Clunn for the all time record. His consistency, decision making, and versatility made him the standard by which modern anglers are measured.
This decade also saw the rise of younger stars, most notably Jordan Lee, who stunned the fishing world by winning consecutive Classics in 2017 and 2018.
Other standout champions included Edwin Evers, Casey Ashley, and Ott DeFoe, each showcasing different techniques and strategies to secure their place in history.
The Modern Generation Takes the Spotlight: 2020–2025
The 2020s have ushered in yet another wave of talent, with anglers relying heavily on advanced sonar technology, refined techniques, and precise execution. Hank Cherry made history by winning back-to-back Classics in 2020 and 2021, joining the exclusive club of multiple-time champions.
The most recent winners reflect the growing youth movement in professional fishing, as anglers continue to push the limits of performance.
Recent Bassmaster Classic Winners
Easton Fothergill’s 2025 victory was particularly historic, as his winning weight of 76 pounds, 15 ounces set a new Bassmaster Classic record and signaled the arrival of another potential superstar.
Multiple Time Bassmaster Classic Winners
Only a handful of anglers have won the Bassmaster Classic more than once. These anglers represent the absolute pinnacle of competitive bass fishing:
Four Wins
Two Wins
Winning even one Classic is considered a career-defining achievement. Winning multiple places anglers among the greatest to ever compete.
Back-to-Back Bassmaster Classic Winners
Even more rare than having multiple Classic wins, only 4 people have ever won back-to-back Bassmaster Classics:
- Rick Clunn (1976-1977)
- Kevin VanDam (2010-2011)
- Jordan Lee (2017-2018)
- Hank Cherry (2020-2021)
Defining Greatness for Over Five Decades
From Bobby Murray’s historic first win in 1971 to Easton Fothergill’s record setting performance in 2025, the Bassmaster Classic has consistently defined greatness in professional bass fishing. Each champion represents a moment in time and a reflection of the techniques, technology, and competitive spirit of their era.
As the sport continues to evolve, the Classic remains the ultimate test. Every year, new anglers arrive with dreams of hoisting the trophy, but only one earns the title of world champion. That exclusivity is what makes the Bassmaster Classic the most important event in bass fishing and why its champions will always be remembered.
See More
For more info, view the official Bassmaster list of Every Classic Winner HERE.
Stay Informed
Get more bass fishing industry insights in your inbox every week. The Best On Tour newsletter is delivered on Thursdays at 10am. Sign up HERE!
View this post on Instagram