Bassmaster Classic, the ‘Super Bowl’ of fishing, is back in Knoxville. Here's how to enjoy it
The 2023 Bassmaster Classic, dubbed the “Super Bowl” of bass fishing, is back for the second time in downtown Knoxville and on the Tennessee River.
Fifty-five professional anglers will compete March 24-26 for the Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic Trophy and the first-place $300,000 prize by catching (and releasing) the highest total weight of bass over the course of three days.
Festivities for fishing’s biggest event of the year kicked off with river cleanup March 21. The annual tournament and expo will take place at multiple sites downtown throughout the week, including Volunteer Landing, Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall.
All Bassmaster activities and venues are free and open to the public.
What is the Bassmaster Classic?
The Bassmaster Classic is a three-day professional bass fishing tournament. Anglers qualify through the Bassmaster Elite Series and other events before competing in the tournament. The angler with the highest total weight of bass caught throughout the tournament is crowned champion and takes home a $300,000 prize.
Bassmaster Classic is a catch and release event, and bass must be alive during daily weigh-in presentations to be counted. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will supervise bass being returned to the fishery during this year’s tournament.
Where is Bassmaster Classic 2023?
Anglers will take off from Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville each morning at 7:15 a.m. Contestants will fish along the Tennessee River, portions of the Holston and French Broad rivers, Fort Loudoun Lake and Tellico Lake. Weigh-ins will take place each day at 3:30 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena.
What is the 2023 Bassmaster Classic schedule?
Wednesday, March 22
Classic Official Practice Day
Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX, Lake Chickamauga
Thursday, March 23
Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX, Lake Chickamauga
5-8 p.m. – Visit Knoxville Kickoff Party presented by TNT Fireworks at Plaza Terrace at the Knoxville Convention Center. This free family-friendly kick-off party features live music, food trucks, beer garden, activities, a firework presentation and Knoxville's first drone show.
Friday, March 24 (Military Appreciation Day)
7:15 a.m. – Takeoff at Volunteer Landing, Tennessee River
11 a.m. – Ribbon-cutting for the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Knoxville Convention Center
Noon-7 p.m. – Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall
3:15 p.m. – Doors open to public for weigh-in, Thompson-Boling Arena
4:15 p.m. – Weigh-in starts at Thompson-Boling Arena and Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship awards will be presented.
All events and venues are free and open to the public.
Saturday, March 25 (Law Enforcement/First Responders Appreciation Day)
7:15 a.m. – Takeoff at Volunteer Landing, Tennessee River
10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall
3:15 p.m. – Doors open to public for weigh-in, Thompson-Boling Arena
4:15 p.m. – Weigh-in starts, Thompson-Boling Arena
All events and venues are free and open to the public.
Sunday, March 26
7:15 a.m. – Takeoff at Volunteer Landing, Tennessee River
10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Knoxville Convention Center & World’s Fair Exhibition Hall
3:15 p.m. – Doors open to public for weigh-in, Thompson-Boling Arena
4:15 p.m. – Weigh-in starts, Thompson-Boling Arena
All events and venues are free and open to the public.
Is anyone from Knoxville competing?
This Bassmaster Classic was first held in Knoxville in 2019. Knoxville native Ott DeFoe was the champion that year. Though there isn’t a Knoxville native in the competition this year, four of the anglers are from Tennessee.
Brandon Lester – Fayetteville, Tennessee
David Mullins – Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Buddy Gross – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Tristan McCormick – Burns, Tennessee
Celebrating with Bassmaster fireworks and drones
To kick off fishing’s biggest event of the year, a free party will be held March 23 on the Plaza Terrace at the Knoxville Convention Center. The family-friendly outdoors event will feature live music from Smooth Sailor, activities, a beer garden and food trucks from local vendors including CJ’s Tacos, Burgerritos, Clean Smoke BBQ and Knox Dough. And the celebration will conclude with a bang and Knoxville’s first drone show. More information can be found at visitknoxville.com.
Time: 5-8:30 p.m. March 23
Location: 701 Henley St., Knoxville
Fireworks show: Begins around 8 p.m.
Drone show: Begins around 8:15 p.m.
Parking: There is no parking directly by the event venue. It is suggested to use the Knoxville Museum of Art’s public parking lot or one of the public parking garages downtown.
Outdoors gear and fun at the Bassmaster Expo
The annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be held in the Knoxville Convention Center and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall. Exhibitors and vendors will be on-site selling a variety of merchandise for fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor gear. There will also be family-friendly activities. Admission to the expo venues is free and open to the public.
Hours for the Expo
Noon-7 p.m. March 24
10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 25
10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 26
What are Knoxville parking options?
Parking can be found in downtown Knoxville and on the University of Tennessee campus. Shuttles will be running to transport people from the expo and weigh-in locations. Here are a few parking options:
Downtown Knoxville parking
Locust Street, Market Square, State Street, Langley, and Main Street public garages downtown are open daily.
Public garages are $1/hour on weekdays until 6 p.m. and free on weeknights and weekends.
Langley Garage is $3 for the first 30 minutes and $2 for each additional 30 minutes. It is free on weeknights and weekends.
University of Tennessee campus parking
G-10 Parking Garage opens at 7 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
S-7 Parking Lot opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Most UT Parking lots are $20 cash only.
Shuttles
Free shuttles will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on a loop. They will transport people to and from the expo locations at Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall and the weigh-in location at Thompson Boling Arena.
Extensive parking details for the 2023 Bassmaster Classic event can be found at visitknoxville.com/bassmaster.
Be prepared for the weather
Bassmaster is mostly an outdoor event. Unfortunately, there is a chance of rain over the weekend while the tournament is under way. Here is the expected forecast, according to the National Weather Service Morristown office:
March 24: Partly sunny with a slight chance of morning showers, then mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers in the afternoon. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 70s.
March 25: Mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers in the morning. Highs around 70.
March 26: Mostly sunny with highs in the lower 70s.
2023 Bassmaster Classic TV coverage and streaming
Live coverage of the 2023 Bassmaster Classic tournament begins 8:30 a.m. March 24 on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders during the mornings on March 25 and March 26. The afternoon action from Championship Sunday picks up on FOX. A full viewing schedule can be found at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch.
Bassmaster Classic is sponsored by Visit Knoxville and Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter for Knox News. He can be reached by email at devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Follow Devarrick on Twitter @dturner1208. Enjoy exclusive content and premium perks while supporting strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 2023 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville schedule, events and fun
