Best 12 photos of 2012

The story of 2012 from the lens of B.A.S.S.

<p>Aaron Martens is quickly earning the reputation as a light-line expert and finesse fishing fanatic. Martens says having grown up in Southern Califonia, he’s learned that sometimes light line and a sensitive rod are the most important things.</p>
Aaron Martens is quickly earning the reputation as a light-line expert and finesse fishing fanatic. Martens says having grown up in Southern Califonia, he’s learned that sometimes light line and a sensitive rod are the most important things.
<p>Todd Faircloth wrangles a bass from the vegetation saturating Lake Okeechobee. Ranked No. 2 on Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list, Okeechobee brought in the heaviest bags of the 2012 Elite Series season.</p>
Todd Faircloth wrangles a bass from the vegetation saturating Lake Okeechobee. Ranked No. 2 on Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list, Okeechobee brought in the heaviest bags of the 2012 Elite Series season.
<p>Ish Monroe cracked the 100-pound mark for the second time in his career at the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee this year. He sealed the deal on the final day by bringing in a bass weighing 34 pounds, 5 ounces.</p>
Ish Monroe cracked the 100-pound mark for the second time in his career at the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee this year. He sealed the deal on the final day by bringing in a bass weighing 34 pounds, 5 ounces.
<p>Just two weeks after the birth of his youngest son, Boyd Duckett climbed to the top of the Ramada Championship leaderboard — his lucky red shoes leading his way on Oneida Lake. Duckett said his main goal was winning a spot in the “biggest event in bass fishing,” the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Just two weeks after the birth of his youngest son, Boyd Duckett climbed to the top of the Ramada Championship leaderboard — his lucky red shoes leading his way on Oneida Lake. Duckett said his main goal was winning a spot in the “biggest event in bass fishing,” the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Keith Poche sets the hook for a lunker bass at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River. In his first-ever Classic appearance, Poche brought in a total of 41 pounds, 3 ounces, earning him a third-place finish and $40,000 in winnings. Off to a good start!</p>
Keith Poche sets the hook for a lunker bass at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River. In his first-ever Classic appearance, Poche brought in a total of 41 pounds, 3 ounces, earning him a third-place finish and $40,000 in winnings. Off to a good start!
<p>On Day 2 of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, Davy Hite hoists a bass, guaranteed to find a new home in his livewell, out of the infamous Red River. Hite took a trophy home from this fishery in 2001 when he won the Louisiana Bassmaster Tour.</p>
On Day 2 of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, Davy Hite hoists a bass, guaranteed to find a new home in his livewell, out of the infamous Red River. Hite took a trophy home from this fishery in 2001 when he won the Louisiana Bassmaster Tour.
<p>Brothers Bobby and Chris Lane celebrate on the Bassmaster Classic stage after Chris earns the title of Bassmaster Classic champion. Lucky for Bobby, both brothers made a bet that if one of them took home the Classic trophy, he had to pay the Elite Series entry fee for the other brother. Can we hear Bobby saying, “Cha-ching?”</p>
Brothers Bobby and Chris Lane celebrate on the Bassmaster Classic stage after Chris earns the title of Bassmaster Classic champion. Lucky for Bobby, both brothers made a bet that if one of them took home the Classic trophy, he had to pay the Elite Series entry fee for the other brother. Can we hear Bobby saying, “Cha-ching?”
<p>At the Northern Open on Lake St. Clair, Larry Draughn prepares to launch in his custom rig built by Legend Boats. For Draughn, fishing provides a sort of therapy for the injuries he sustained during his military service in Afghanistan.</p>
At the Northern Open on Lake St. Clair, Larry Draughn prepares to launch in his custom rig built by Legend Boats. For Draughn, fishing provides a sort of therapy for the injuries he sustained during his military service in Afghanistan.
<p>Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens angler Jason Christie earned his berth in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic by winning a title on the Detroit River this July. Christie might have a slight advantage going into his first Classic; Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees just happens to be his home water.</p>
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens angler Jason Christie earned his berth in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic by winning a title on the Detroit River this July. Christie might have a slight advantage going into his first Classic; Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees just happens to be his home water.
<p>The 2012 Toyota Trucks All-Star week was a nail-biter for most specators, but Edwin Evers felt a bit of deja vu as he and Ott DeFoe battled it out, again, for a spot at the top. Evers was the only angler in the field to catch a five-bass limit on each of the first two days.</p>
The 2012 Toyota Trucks All-Star week was a nail-biter for most specators, but Edwin Evers felt a bit of deja vu as he and Ott DeFoe battled it out, again, for a spot at the top. Evers was the only angler in the field to catch a five-bass limit on each of the first two days.
<p>After a grueling four days on the water, Aaron Martens was crowned the 2012 Toyota Trucks All-Star champion. Fishing against 12 of the best anglers in the sport, Martens’ risky strategy proved a success. “I really want to thank everyone who voted for me,” Martens said. “It’s an honor, and I’m glad I was able to vindicate that support.”</p>
After a grueling four days on the water, Aaron Martens was crowned the 2012 Toyota Trucks All-Star champion. Fishing against 12 of the best anglers in the sport, Martens’ risky strategy proved a success. “I really want to thank everyone who voted for me,” Martens said. “It’s an honor, and I’m glad I was able to vindicate that support.”
<p>Brent Chapman secured his fourth B.A.S.S. victory at the Toledo Bend Battle, which played a critical part in earning him precious Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year points. Chapman took home the Angler of the Year trophy just two months after his Toledo Bend victory.</p>
Brent Chapman secured his fourth B.A.S.S. victory at the Toledo Bend Battle, which played a critical part in earning him precious Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year points. Chapman took home the Angler of the Year trophy just two months after his Toledo Bend victory.