Best On Tour Bassmaster Classic preview & expo buzz (Issue 366)

Issue #366- March 12, 2026

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PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Fothergill Isn’t Satisfied: Defending Champ Eyes Another Classic Title

The spotlight of professional bass fishing once again burns bright now that the Bassmaster Classic returns to Knoxville, Tenn. With the Tennessee River system serving as the playing field and thousands of passionate fans expected to pack the weigh-ins, the sport’s biggest stage is set for another unforgettable showdown that is the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. Standing squarely in the middle of that spotlight is defending champion Easton Fothergill.

The young pro has spent the last year experiencing a whirlwind few anglers ever get to know. This includes media appearances, sponsor obligations and the reality that comes with hoisting bass fishing’s most coveted trophy. As the Classic returns, Fothergill’s mindset isn’t focused on reliving last year’s triumph. Instead, the Skeeter-Yamaha pro is laser-focused on something even harder to accomplish. Winning this event again. Read more about Fothergill’s quest to bot back-to-back here.

Dynamic Sponsorships Celebrate 20 Years Of Connecting Brands To The Great Outdoors

Dynamic Sponsorships (Dynamic), a full-service brand experience agency, is proud to announce its 20th anniversary. Co-founded by Lance Peck in 2006, the agency has become a cornerstone in the professional bass fishing industry. Dynamic’s work bridges the gap between iconic global grands and passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Read more about the history of Dynamic here.

Feider Looking For Classic “Buckets” In Dad’s Old Jacket

If Seth Feider wins the 56th annual Bassmaster Classic, his Vexus® will likely be in dirt shallow water catching largemouth he refers to as “buckets” on a Rapala squarebill or perhaps a spinnerbait, and it will absolutely be fueled with sentimental motivation in the form of his dad’s old Bass Fever Bassmasters jacket from 1985. “Dad’s in his 70s now, he’s not coming to Knoxville, so I figured it’d be cool to bring his old bass club jacket with me this week,” says the always laid-back Feider. The Minnesota pro says his dad Pete and he fished together more so when Seth was really young, but by the time he was about 12, his dad would turn him loose alone for the day in a jon boat.

“You can tell by the jacket he obviously loved to fish back in the day, but hunting has always been his real passion. When it came to bass fishing, Dad was typically gonna drag a grape Producto plastic worm around. He had a two-tone beige Plano tackle box full of jars of pork frogs that had rusty lids on them,” smiles Feider. Seth’s definitely an old school basser who loves the sport’s history, so don’t be shocked if he flips a jig and pork frog of his own around on Fort Loudoun Lake this week. He’s a bit concerned about Friday morning’s forecast for freezing temps but is hopeful that because most of these largemouth live shallow, they’ll stay shallow no matter the weather. “I like it here. I think Knoxville is the best Classic venue in the country because everything is so close. The launch, the weigh-in, the Expo, hotels, and the river are all pretty much in walking distance of one another, and the fishing is solid. I think fans can expect fish to be caught from 4 inches to 40 feet of water, and it’ll come down to the final hours on Sunday. I don’t see anybody running away with this one,” says Feider. Hopefully his seventh shot at a Classic title will yield the win he’s dreamed of since back when he was a boy fishing from a jon boat, and his dad was sewing patches on his bass club jacket.

KVD Previews The 2026 Bassmaster Classic

Few people in the sport of bass fishing carry as much weight as Kevin VanDam, especially when we’re talking about the Bassmaster Classic. The Team Toyota pro qualified for an incredible 28 Bassmaster Classics and won the title four times during his iconic career before retiring from full-time tournament fishing in 2023. VanDam understands every nuance and detail of this event from a competitor’s standpoint, but his passion for the sport, and this tournament in particular, burns just as hot as a fan. As a lifelong student of fishing, he still studies the patterns, the anglers, and the weather conditions leading into the Classic. For KVD, the Classic is more than just another tournament. It’s the one week of the year when the entire bass fishing world stops and pays attention. The field is smaller, the pressure is higher, and every decision is amplified. Check out KVD’s take on the 2026 Bassmaster Classic here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

BTL Bassmaster Classic Preview Show

So who’s going to win the 2026 Bassmaster Classic? We certainly don’t know either, but it was fun to chat with Matt on this episode of BTL about it! Check out the full show here.

Classic Q & A with Cox

John Cox is always fun to chat with, even amid the most pressure-packed week in bass fishing. We caught up with him Tuesday under the 266-feet tall Sunsphere in Knoxville, home to this week’s 56th Bassmaster Classic.

Q: You’ve done well here before. Including a 5th place finish at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic. What is it about Fort Loudon Lake and you that kind of click?

Cox: I love it because it truly fishes like a river, which means most of the bass live shallow, and that puts them right where I love to fish in about 4-feet of water or less.

Q: So, what will be the biggest challenge of this event?

Cox: For this Florida boy it’ll be the 35-degree temps on Friday morning on Day 1 of the derby and trying to catch one of those 5-pound or bigger “difference maker” kind of largemouth.

Q: What kind of drinks and snacks do you have riding in your insulated fiberglass Vexus® cooler?

Cox: So, this is crazy, but that Vexus cooler holds ice so long that I’ve already packed it with ice and drinks for the tournament. I’ve got water, Cokes, and Celsius energy drinks, but no food. You gotta fish ‘hungry’.

Q: There will be a lot of crankbaits thrown in this event. What is the ultimate John Cox cranking system for the week ahead?

Cox: A Berkley Frittside tied to 15-pound 100% Trilene fluorocarbon on a 6.8:1 Abu Zenon reel, and a 7’ 1” Fenwick HMG medium extra fast rod.

Q: You’ve won a lot of big tournaments including championships, what would it mean to win the Bassmaster Classic?

Cox: Oh gosh! It’s hard to describe what it’d be like to win the event I’ve been dreaming about winning since I was a kid in the 1990s watching guys like Denny Brauer, Davy Hite and Woo Daves win it when I was fishing club tournaments on Lake Talmadge in jon boat tournaments.

PRESENTED BY: Whatnot

Come See Us In Knoxville

Bassmaster Classic fans heading to the Expo in Knoxville, TN can stop by the booth #1704 to check out some of the latest and greatest gear from our partners. Talk fishing with the pros, and take advantage of special show only deals throughout the event. Whether you’re gearing up for the season or looking to try something new, this mega booth will have you covered at the Classic Expo. Hope to see you in Knoxville this week!

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Bassmaster Classic Winners: The Complete List

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: here.

BFHOF Classic Auction Is LIVE

Don’t miss out on your chance to support the Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame and get your hands on some amazing items in the Classic Auction. Start the bidding here.

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Issue #366

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