A look at Elite venues

A look at Guntersville

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The sixth stop of the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series takes the 75 anglers to famed Lake Guntersville in northeast Alabama, site of 22 previous pro level B.A.S.S. events.
The sixth stop of the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series takes the 75 anglers to famed Lake Guntersville in northeast Alabama, site of 22 previous pro level B.A.S.S. events.
Guntersville, considered one of the best bass lakes in the country for years, is Alabama’s largest lake at 69,100 acres. B.A.S.S. has a lengthy history on Big G, and this week’s event will break a tie with Lake Okeechobee for most tournaments, moving it to second place behind Sam Rayburn (32).
Guntersville, considered one of the best bass lakes in the country for years, is Alabama’s largest lake at 69,100 acres. B.A.S.S. has a lengthy history on Big G, and this week’s event will break a tie with Lake Okeechobee for most tournaments, moving it to second place behind Sam Rayburn (32).
The lake is impounded by Guntersville Dam, a Tennessee Valley Authority project completed in 1939. Backing up to Nickajack Dam, Guntersville is a 75-mile long reservoir of the Tennessee River that boasts 949 miles of shoreline and plenty of big bass.
The lake is impounded by Guntersville Dam, a Tennessee Valley Authority project completed in 1939. Backing up to Nickajack Dam, Guntersville is a 75-mile long reservoir of the Tennessee River that boasts 949 miles of shoreline and plenty of big bass.
Tournament central is in Scottsboro, Ala., at Goose Pond Colony Resort around mid-lake. The resort has two championship golf courses and a 234-wet-slip marina that’s been voted best on the Tennessee River.
Tournament central is in Scottsboro, Ala., at Goose Pond Colony Resort around mid-lake. The resort has two championship golf courses and a 234-wet-slip marina that’s been voted best on the Tennessee River.
Fans can watch the takeoffs at Goose Pond each day of the Friday-Monday event, with blastoff set for 7 a.m. ET. All B.A.S.S. events are free to attend.
Fans can watch the takeoffs at Goose Pond each day of the Friday-Monday event, with blastoff set for 7 a.m. ET. All B.A.S.S. events are free to attend.
The weigh-ins are also at Goose Pond, where fans are sure to gather to watch the Elites weigh fish starting at around 3:15 p.m. ET. This year’s event is part of the Miracle Mile Festival, with the Expo opening Saturday and Sunday at noon with activities for all ages. On Saturday, the Mercury Concert Series continues with the Clay Jones Band performing prior to weigh-in. Several bands will play after the weigh-in as well.
The weigh-ins are also at Goose Pond, where fans are sure to gather to watch the Elites weigh fish starting at around 3:15 p.m. ET. This year’s event is part of the Miracle Mile Festival, with the Expo opening Saturday and Sunday at noon with activities for all ages. On Saturday, the Mercury Concert Series continues with the Clay Jones Band performing prior to weigh-in. Several bands will play after the weigh-in as well.
Anglers topped 100 pounds in winning Guntersville Elite tournaments in 2009 and 2010, and Guntersville remains among the top fisheries in Bassmaster’s Best Lakes ratings. Four anglers earned Century Belts in 2009, and there were two bags topping 30 pounds that year.
Anglers topped 100 pounds in winning Guntersville Elite tournaments in 2009 and 2010, and Guntersville remains among the top fisheries in Bassmaster’s Best Lakes ratings. Four anglers earned Century Belts in 2009, and there were two bags topping 30 pounds that year.
The last time the Elites competed on Guntersville, it took 92 pounds to win and more than 35 pounds to make the Day 2 cut. Australian Carl Jocumsen was a big player in the event, thrilling his home country men. “This has changed my life forever,” said, the first Australian to compete on the Elites. “This is a dream-come-true.”
The last time the Elites competed on Guntersville, it took 92 pounds to win and more than 35 pounds to make the Day 2 cut. Australian Carl Jocumsen was a big player in the event, thrilling his home country men. “This has changed my life forever,” said, the first Australian to compete on the Elites. “This is a dream-come-true.”
In the first season of Bassmaster LIVE, many Australians reported staying up all night to watch Jocumsen fish to a sixth-place finish. LIVE airs this week daily from 8-11 a.m. and noon-3 p.m. ET.
In the first season of Bassmaster LIVE, many Australians reported staying up all night to watch Jocumsen fish to a sixth-place finish. LIVE airs this week daily from 8-11 a.m. and noon-3 p.m. ET.
Keith Combs did some damage in the 2015 derby, finishing fifth with three bags topping 20 pounds. Combs and Jocumsen were among the anglers who found success along the numerous Guntersville bridges and riprap-lined causeways.
Keith Combs did some damage in the 2015 derby, finishing fifth with three bags topping 20 pounds. Combs and Jocumsen were among the anglers who found success along the numerous Guntersville bridges and riprap-lined causeways.
Past successes on bridges at Guntersville, many of which are considered community holes, is well-documented, and Steve Wright twisted an old Yogi Berra riff at the 2015 Elite tournament there. “Nobody fishes Guntersville's bridges anymore. They’re too crowded.” Of course, many an angler lamented avoiding the frenzy.
Past successes on bridges at Guntersville, many of which are considered community holes, is well-documented, and Steve Wright twisted an old Yogi Berra riff at the 2015 Elite tournament there. “Nobody fishes Guntersville’s bridges anymore. They’re too crowded.” Of course, many an angler lamented avoiding the frenzy.
Rick Clunn was among the first to win there on a bridge. The majority of his winning fish in the 1976 Bassmaster Classic, the first B.A.S.S. event on Guntersville, came from the Brown Creek bridges. Ricky Green landed an 8-9 there, which at the time was the largest bass in a Classic. Clunn caught an 8-8 at Guntersville in 2015, again proving it’s a big fish lake. The lake record there is a 14.50 caught in 1990.
Rick Clunn was among the first to win there on a bridge. The majority of his winning fish in the 1976 Bassmaster Classic, the first B.A.S.S. event on Guntersville, came from the Brown Creek bridges. Ricky Green landed an 8-9 there, which at the time was the largest bass in a Classic. Clunn caught an 8-8 at Guntersville in 2015, again proving it’s a big fish lake. The lake record there is a 14.50 caught in 1990.
In winning the 2014 Classic on Guntersville, Randy Howell worked the Spring Creek bridges on Day 3 for 29-2. “I must have caught 75 fish there between 9 o'clock and 2:30,
In winning the 2014 Classic on Guntersville, Randy Howell worked the Spring Creek bridges on Day 3 for 29-2. “I must have caught 75 fish there between 9 o’clock and 2:30,” Howell said. “I’ve been catching them off bridges in Guntersville for years and years … Everybody knows about these bridges in Guntersville now.”
Howell’s dream day produced the biggest Classic rallies at the time; he came from 11th place and was 9 pounds out of the lead. The bridges act like choke points for moving bass and are loaded with baitfish.
Howell’s dream day produced the biggest Classic rallies at the time; he came from 11th place and was 9 pounds out of the lead. The bridges act like choke points for moving bass and are loaded with baitfish.
At the 2014 Classic, current Elite Paul Mueller, who won on Lake Lanier earlier this season, set the one-day Classic mark with 32-2 on Day 2. He finished 1 pound behind Howell, and had he not been two fish short of a limit on Day 1 could have become only the second B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier to win the championship.
At the 2014 Classic, current Elite Paul Mueller, who won on Lake Lanier earlier this season, set the one-day Classic mark with 32-2 on Day 2. He finished 1 pound behind Howell, and had he not been two fish short of a limit on Day 1 could have become only the second B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier to win the championship.
There has only been one other summer Bassmaster event on Guntersville, the July 23-25 B.A.S.S. Champs won by Basil E. Bacon in 1980. Most of the previous events on Big G have been in the spring, and not many in the field can say they’ve competed there this late in the summer, which has many believing the deeper, Tennessee River ledges will be a major player.
There has only been one other summer Bassmaster event on Guntersville, the July 23-25 B.A.S.S. Champs won by Basil E. Bacon in 1980. Most of the previous events on Big G have been in the spring, and not many in the field can say they’ve competed there this late in the summer, which has many believing the deeper, Tennessee River ledges will be a major player.
Besides vying for the $100,000 first-place prize and a title on Guntersville, the 75 anglers will be seeking to get back to there as the fishery and Birmingham host the 50th Bassmaster Classic next year.
Besides vying for the $100,000 first-place prize and a title on Guntersville, the 75 anglers will be seeking to get back to there as the fishery and Birmingham host the 50th Bassmaster Classic next year.
There four more regular season events, after which the top 50 anglers in points advance to the season-ending Toyota AOY Championship on Lake St. Clair. The top 40 or so in points qualify for the Classic, and the anglers will be looking to make a move on Guntersville.
There four more regular season events, after which the top 50 anglers in points advance to the season-ending Toyota AOY Championship on Lake St. Clair. The top 40 or so in points qualify for the Classic, and the anglers will be looking to make a move on Guntersville.

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