Notes from the Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open
I spent last weekend around Table Rock Lake, observing and writing about the Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Tournament. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the region, starting in 2011 when I covered a PAA tournament won by Stacey King. Since then, I’ve visited several Septembers and Octobers for Bass Fishing Hall of Fame meetings and banquets, and to stay with our friends the Morgenthalers.
Obviously, I’ve attended lots of bass tournaments over the years – 17 Bassmaster Classics, a couple of Forrest Wood Cups, tour-level events, Opens, BFLs, Federation deals and just local run-of-the-mill derbies. Each one is different in its own ways, and this one stood out. Here are 10 notes about the event, in no particular order:
Septuagenarian Johnny Morris radiates a constant stream of positive and youthful energy. He seemed to be everywhere at once and he always seemed to be 100 percent committed to and focused on the task at hand: handing out coffee to anglers in the morning, congratulating youth winners on stage, cutting up with Roland, Jimmy and Bill. It was both inspiring and tiring to watch.
The “US Open” name was fitting, because in many respects it felt more like a top-level golf tournament than a bass tournament. There were hospitality events, VIP treatments, giveaways and all sorts of entertainment options to keep everyone occupied.
While there were lots of Hall of Famers mingling with the fans (I saw one woman brought to tears by a Jimmy Houston autograph), of all of them Rick Clunn seemed most interested in the actual tournament. He listened attentively to the anglers on stage and fist bumped them as they came off of it.
For my money KVD is still the greatest interview and the greatest pro angler ambassador the sport has ever known. As with Morris, I’m not sure how he isn’t constantly exhausted. While working on articles, I got solid answers about varied topics from all of the pros I interviewed, but Kevin always seems to get to the “juice” just a little bit better.
At many of these corporate sporting events the branding is poor, with crappy giveaway hats and cheesy looking shirts. Not only was the US Open logo everywhere, but the jackets and shirts were something to covet and admire, not something to be embarrassed about wearing.
There aren’t many better venues for an event like this. Not only is Table Rock a pattern lake as opposed to a spot lake, but it’s dead-smack in the middle of the country, making it possible for anglers from Florida to California to participate.
I was amazed by how many competitors told me they were “Livescoping” the fish they caught. I guess that I shouldn’t be at this point, but the sport is tilting younger and younger as long as that’s in play.
Roland Martin is surprisingly spry for 80+. Get him started on the 1974 Bassmaster season and you’ll be amazed at how much he recalls.
The Long Creek Marina enterprise that they used is the nicest facility from which I’ve ever seen a take-off, with expansive docks and boat slips, gas pumps everywhere, and enough room for media and spectators to gather without feeling like you’re going to get bumped into the drink.
Over $1.5 million for conservation. We all need to get on that bandwagon.
