Bassmaster Classic Returning To Grand Lake, Tulsa in March 2016

The world championship of bass fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, is returning to Grand Lake in 2016,

Monday, March 9th 2015, 11:54 am

By: News On 6

Bassmaster Classic Returning To Grand Lake, Tulsa in March 2016

The world championship of bass fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, is returning to Grand Lake in 2016, B.A.S.S. and the event's Oklahoma hosts announced Monday.

Officials say for first time, the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” will be conducted in early March instead of February.

“The 2013 Classic was such a tremendous success, we couldn't wait to return to Tulsa and Grand Lake O' the Cherokees with our premier event,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO.

“With the support we've received from our hosts and our bass fishing fans throughout the region, we're expecting an even better turnout next year.”

2/23/2013 Related Story: Spectators Flood Grand Lake To Catch Glimpse Of Bassmaster's Best

Hosts of the 2016 Classic will be Tulsa Regional Chamber, VisitTulsa, Grand Lake Association and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

“We're so excited to finally say the Bassmaster Classic is coming back to Tulsa,” said Ray Hoyt, president of VisitTulsa.

“We worked our tails off in 2013 to ensure this event was a huge success because we wanted to show our partners at B.A.S.S., and other major league events, what a great place the Tulsa region is. We wanted another Classic the minute the 2013 event was over, and today we can finally say it out loud: The Classic comes back in 2016. A huge thanks to our regional partners, especially Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, for their support in making this a reality.”

Since 2006, Bassmaster Classics have all been held the third or fourth weekend in February, but the 2016 championship was moved to March 4-6, according to officials in order to better accommodate anglers' and sponsors' preseason schedules.

Officials said the Tulsa Classic in 2013 recorded the second highest attendance in history, with more than 106,850 fans visiting one or more of the Classic venues.

Hoyt said the economic impact of the first Tulsa Classic was $22.7 million.