THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING.
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1. Stat of the Day
PRESENTED BY: Sunline
Electronics of the Classic competitors
2. Money Matters
PRESENTED BY: Big Bite Baits
3. Behind the Scenes
PRESENTED BY: SPRO
Comparison of the Classic Odds
Sports betting is a huge international business. Estimates put the global income for sports betting somewhere between $700 billion and $1 trillion a year. While there are no formal sports books within the United States that set odds on the Bassmaster Classic, it is always entertaining to speculate on which anglers are the favorites, and which are the long shots. Mark Jeffreys, founder of The Bass Zone , and co-host of Bass Talk Live began setting Classic odds nearly a decade ago for the BZ, while former senior editor for B.A.S.S. publications, and current managing editor of Fishing Tackler Retailer Ken Duke began handling the duties for B.A.S.S. around the same time, until his departure from the organization in 2014. With the Classic upon us we decided to take a look back at the top 5 picks according to the 2018 odds, and see which "bookie" had the best results.
Eventual winner Jordan Lee was set at 15-1 by Bassmaster and at 6-1 by BassZone. See the 2019 Classic odds below.

4. Anglers Tribune
John Crews – A pro angler and business man.
Fishing fans from all over the world attend the Bassmaster Classic to see their favorite pros weigh in big bass on the largest stage in professional fishing. They also attend the Classic to see the latest and greatest that the fishing industry has to offer. Whether it is new tackle, boats and motors, electronics, or rods and reels, the Classic Outdoors Expo has it all. It is also a great chance to talk to manufacturer’s representatives and pro anglers as well. We recently spoke with President of Missile Baits and Elite Series angler John Crews to get his thoughts on just how important the Classic Outdoors Expo is for a company like Missle Baits.

“The Classic is not only a great place to interact with the pros, but it is the best place to get to talk to the fishermen face to face, and hear what they have to say about our baits. Whether the feedback I receive is positive or negative, I enjoy listening to what they all have to say about Missile Baits. Obviously it is extremely gratifying when an angler tells you he caught his personal best on one of your baits, but it is equally important for me to hear suggestions on how to improve existing products or create new ones," said Crews.

“It's also a great platform for companies to introduce new baits and products to fishermen. At the Classic, the consumer can see a new bait in person and not just look at a picture in a magazine or online. This gives what you are introducing a push to get started setting the stage for it to takeoff,” concluded Crews.

Missile Baits will be introducing a new Ned Rig bait at this year’s Classic, called the Ned Bomb that you can see at there booth at the Dick's Sporting Goods Bassmaster Classic Expo. Learn more about Missile Baits .

5. Baits Not Being Talked About
Good luck if you are trying to get your hands on a Stan Sloan Bango Blade. The spinnerbait designed by Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Wesley Strader has been a hot commodity ever since Strader blistered Gerald Swindle with it in the inaugural Bass Zone 1 on 1 Live event on Alabama's Lake Martin in February of 2018. Couple that with the fact that Strader strung together a Bassmaster Open, and Elite Series win in 2018 largely on the back of the Bango Blade, and you have a formula for empty pegs and online backorders. Wesley's recent success with the bait on the Bass Pro Tour, and the possibility that it could play a role in a hometown favorite's Bassmaster Classic performance makes it likely that the upward sales trend of the Bango Blade will continue.  
6. What We're Watching & Listening To
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
The last Classic won on the TN River in Knoxville
Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S. See how Charlie Reed won the 1986 Bassmaster Clasic held on the TN River in Knoxville
7. Jersey Watch
PRESENTED BY: Denali
Jersey comparison of last year's champ
 2017 and 2018 Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee's jersey will look quite a bit different when he takes the stage in Knoxville, TN for the 49th annual Classic. Lee was one of many pros who had major sponsorship shakeups during the off season. Lee made the switch to the Pure Fishing brand, which eliminated both Quantum and Strike King from his sponsor portfolio. Lee now fishes with ABU Garcia rods and reels, as well as Berkley Fishing soft and hard baits.  
8. Regional Recommendations
Traveling to a lake and looking for the best place to stay, launch your boat, get gas or buy tackle? See the top choices for Lake Hartwell here:
9. Best for Last
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO
Have you ever wondered what the impressions were of one of the Fishing industries most recognized and respected brands were after attending his first Bassmaster Classic? We recently caught up with  AFTCO's  Bill Shedd, and asked him to reflect on attending the 2018 Classic at Lake Hartwell.   
 For over 40 years I have attended the largest saltwater fishing and boating shows in the country. Those shows include the Miami Boat show on the east coast and the Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat show on the west coast. In 2018 I attended my first Classic and was blown away. Even though I had heard how big and impressive the Classic was, I was still surprised. So many serious fishermen and women looking for product, fishing, and bass conservation information. We were so impressed with last year’s show that for 2019 we expanded our booth. This year we even plan on bringing our AFTCO Bass Bus to the Classic. This is the release boat AFTCO loans to tournaments to help them release fish back into the lake, and not just at the launch ramp. At last year's Classic we had a number of people wanting to hear more about our AFTCO bass conservation efforts and what better way to have those conversations than from our AFTCO – Yamaha release boat.  
 
If you are planning on attending the 49th annual Bassmaster Classic March 15-17 in Knoxville and would like to learn more about  AFTCO  make sure and stop by booth #208 at the Dick's Sporting Goods outdoors expo.  


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