Bassmaster Classic Making Second Stop At Grand Lake

The tournament bass fishermen dream of competing in is happening in Green Country for the second time.

The 2016 Bassmaster Classic tournament is returning to Grand Lake the first weekend in March, and, right now, some of the organizers are in town checking out the lay of the land.

3/9/2015 Related Story: Bassmaster Classic Returning To Grand Lake, Tulsa in March 2016

The tournament will take place at Grand Lake and the weigh-ins at the BOK Center, once again; organizers are preparing for a crowd of over 100,000 people.

Even though the temperature dropped into the teens, record-breaking crowds attended the 2013 Bassmaster Classic at the lake, and even bigger crowds showed up for the BOK Center weigh-ins.

With crowds over 106,000, the Tulsa tournament holds the record as the second biggest Bassmaster Classic in its history.

"It was very cold, but the guys caught fish and it was a very successful tournament anyway," said spokesman Dave Precht.

He hopes the 2016 tournament the first weekend in March is even better.

“The attendance will be better and the fishing will be better. March is just a perfect time for fishing on Grand Lake," Precht said.

It will be good for business too. Visit Tulsa estimates the last Bassmaster Classic brought $22.7 million into the local economy.

Precht said the BOK Center is one of the big reasons the Bassmaster Classic is back.

"I'm not saying it because I am here, but this is the finest facility I have seen for the Bassmaster Classic weigh-ins,” he said. “It's a great state-of-the-art arena and very comfortable seats."

Technology is bringing something new to this year's tournament. The top contenders’ boats will be decked out with cameras so people at home can watch their every move.

Precht said, "Be able to watch the guys as they are fishing and catch every fish. They will be able to hear their discussions of what they are doing catch the fish."

There are 11 Oklahoma anglers in the tournament, including Jason Christie who placed seventh in the last tournament here.