Hanna’s Ten Goals for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic
The Bassmaster Classic isn’t just another tournament—it’s the tournament. It’s the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” where legends are made, and I can’t wait to take it all in again March 21-23, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, on Lake Ray Roberts. Whether you’re a die-hard angler or just love competitive bass fishing, there’s nothing quite like the Classic.
I attended my first Classic in 2008, but only started really paying attention the last few years, and only viewed it as a business opportunity the last couple. With that in mind, I’ve set personal goals for this year’s event. Some are practical, some are just for fun, some are for you my readers and I guarantee that all of them will make my experience even better.
Meet the Anglers -- There’s nothing like shaking hands with the pros I’ve followed for years. I’d love to chat with them about their strategies (not sure I would actually ask but you never know what will come out of my mouth), their favorite gear, and maybe even get a tip or two for my own fishing game. I have a media pass this year so Media Day will be a new experience, especially walking around with Pete.
Explore the Expo -- The Bassmaster Classic Expo is a gateway to paradise for fishing fanatics. I hope to visit every booth, check out the latest gear, electronics and identify and purchase some new tackle that will (hopefully) improve my skills, and yours, on the water.
Find the Best Women’s Fishing Apparel -- You know I’m obsessed with female-specific fishing apparel, and the Classic is a great place to hunt for new designs. Whether it’s a stylish pair of shorts, fun colored shirt, new brands or something completely unexpected, I’m on the lookout.
Check out Electronics -- I want to take a deep dive into the electronics Pete is running on his/our (hehe) boat. Maybe there will be pros explaining how to figure out that damn video game on the front of the boat (I mean Forward Facing Sonar). It’s all about learning from the best, because it’s simply too stressful learning from your husband.
Attend My First BassmastHER Workshop -- I signed up for the free BassmastHER workshop on Sunday of the Classic. I am excited to meet Anastasia Patterson, Kristine Fischer and Maggie Carsello. As a woman in the fishing industry I want to meet other women who also support, encourage, teach and empower female anglers. The workshop topics will range from bass fishing fundamentals to casting for accuracy, getting familiar with a bass boat (something I need for sure), and discussing industry and sponsorship opportunities (not something I will use but can pass this information on to others who weren’t able to attend).
Collect the Swag -- From free stickers to buffs, key fobs, lures, and even some gear, the Classic always has great giveaways. I’m making it a mission to score the most and the best in order to give it to a client that books a trip with HPFC and mentions this blog.
Learn Something New About the Classic’s History -- The Bassmaster Classic has an incredible legacy, I want to hear an old-school story from a veteran angler or find a piece of trivia that makes me appreciate the sport even more. Attending the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame cocktail hour may help me with this goal.
Document the Experience for a Blog Post (or Three) -- This trip is definitely being documented, and I want to make sure I capture all the best moments, photos, videos, and maybe even a few of my own interviews—gotta have the details to make the post/s come to life.
Cheer for Who??? -- If you are looking for a back-to-back repeat, all eyes are on Justin Hamner, can he be like Rick Clunn, Kevin VanDam, Hank Cherry, and Jordan Lee. Perhaps it will be one of the rookies or newbies, I always cheer for my friend Kyle Patrick. Either way, it’s going to be a good one and I can’t wait to be front and center (more likely on the right or left of the stage).
Soak It All In -- At the end of the day, the biggest goal is to enjoy every second AND get as much content for you to enjoy and learn. Hoping to meet all the wives I have interviewed and haven’t met face to face. Spend time with the friends and families we only get to see when we are at the Classic (my Bass family The Bowmans, The Kennedys, The Doves, Paul Pagnato, and several others I am sure I have missed).
The energy of the crowd, the passion of the anglers, the thrill of the weigh-ins—it’s all part of what makes the Bassmaster Classic so special. If you haven’t been, you need to go. If you have been, you need to go again.
If you’re headed to the Classic, what’s on your must-do list? Let me know you’re coming and hopefully we can meet face to face.
