Classic Day 1: Lakeside weigh-in

A unique set of circumstances is going on this week at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The Lake Ray Roberts tournament is being held in summer.
A unique set of circumstances is going on this week at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The Lake Ray Roberts tournament is being held in summer.
For the first time, a mobile scale is set up at the Isle du Bois Unit of Lake Ray Roberts State Park. It’s all in the name of enhanced fish care, to ensure the fish caught during the Classic stay healthy on the ride to Fort Worth, and the weigh-in at Dickies Arena.
For the first time, a mobile scale is set up at the Isle du Bois Unit of Lake Ray Roberts State Park. It’s all in the name of enhanced fish care, to ensure the fish caught during the Classic stay healthy on the ride to Fort Worth, and the weigh-in at Dickies Arena.
On Friday and Saturday, all the fish will be weighed on these scales. “Every fish will be weighed on the same scale, unlike other catch-weigh-release tournaments that use a separate handheld scale for each angler,” said Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. conservation director. “We are doing that to maintain the integrity of the Classic, to avoid any weight discrepancies in bass fishing’s world championship event.”
On Friday and Saturday, all the fish will be weighed on these scales. “Every fish will be weighed on the same scale, unlike other catch-weigh-release tournaments that use a separate handheld scale for each angler,” said Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. conservation director. “We are doing that to maintain the integrity of the Classic, to avoid any weight discrepancies in bass fishing’s world championship event.”
To maintain the integrity of the Classic fan experience, the weights of the competitors will remain a secret until they arrive at Dickies Arena.
To maintain the integrity of the Classic fan experience, the weights of the competitors will remain a secret until they arrive at Dickies Arena.
Up to 5 bass will be weighed on the scale. Each angler will have the option to return up to 2 bass to their livewell for transport back to Dickie’s Arena, to display to the fans.  <br><br>Between the Classic launch site and Dickies Arena in Fort Worth the distance is 60 miles. With normal afternoon traffic the drive time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
Up to 5 bass will be weighed on the scale. Each angler will have the option to return up to 2 bass to their livewell for transport back to Dickie’s Arena, to display to the fans. Between the Classic launch site and Dickies Arena in Fort Worth the distance is 60 miles. With normal afternoon traffic the drive time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
That is not an uncommonly far distance or travel timeline between Classic fisheries and arena venues. Previous Classics held in Houston, Birmingham and Greenville, S.C., had similar travel logistics as the Fort Worth event.
That is not an uncommonly far distance or travel timeline between Classic fisheries and arena venues. Previous Classics held in Houston, Birmingham and Greenville, S.C., had similar travel logistics as the Fort Worth event.
Those Classics were held during early spring, when ambient lake water temperatures were cooler and retained desired levels of oxygen in the livewells used for transporting angler catches. The need to change the process was recognized when the Classic was moved from March to June.
Those Classics were held during early spring, when ambient lake water temperatures were cooler and retained desired levels of oxygen in the livewells used for transporting angler catches. The need to change the process was recognized when the Classic was moved from March to June.
B.A.S.S. consulted with Texas Parks and Wildlife about the enhanced fish care plan in place for Friday and Saturday. Most notably, the number of bass transported round trip from the lake to the arena will be reduced by 50 percent when the full field competes on Friday and Saturday.
B.A.S.S. consulted with Texas Parks and Wildlife about the enhanced fish care plan in place for Friday and Saturday. Most notably, the number of bass transported round trip from the lake to the arena will be reduced by 50 percent when the full field competes on Friday and Saturday.
To expedite the weigh-in process, there will be no emcee, spectators or live media coverage at the remote site.
To expedite the weigh-in process, there will be no emcee, spectators or live media coverage at the remote site.
Upon arrival at the scale, the angler will immediately bag his fish.
Upon arrival at the scale, the angler will immediately bag his fish.
“Reducing the transportable catch by one half on those days allows us to maintain a traditional Classic arena experience for the fans and TV, while prioritizing conservation of the catch during the warm weather,” said Gilliland.
“Reducing the transportable catch by one half on those days allows us to maintain a traditional Classic arena experience for the fans and TV, while prioritizing conservation of the catch during the warm weather,” said Gilliland.
The mobile setup will follow the regular routine used by B.A.S.S. at its tournaments. Fish will be evaluated and measured to meet the minimum length limit.
The mobile setup will follow the regular routine used by B.A.S.S. at its tournaments. Fish will be evaluated and measured to meet the minimum length limit.
Only the anglers and B.A.S.S. officials know the weight. It will remain a secret until announced by Dave Mercer in Fort Worth. The anglers advanced through a drive-through line to the scale.
Only the anglers and B.A.S.S. officials know the weight. It will remain a secret until announced by Dave Mercer in Fort Worth. The anglers advanced through a drive-through line to the scale.
The fish are weighed, and the weight is recorded electronically.
The fish are weighed, and the weight is recorded electronically.
After being weighed, the angler has the option to place his largest 2 bass back into the livewell.
After being weighed, the angler has the option to place his largest 2 bass back into the livewell.
Any other bass are placed directly into the B.A.S.S. Yamaha/AFTFO Live Release boat staged immediately beside the scale.
Any other bass are placed directly into the B.A.S.S. Yamaha/AFTFO Live Release boat staged immediately beside the scale.
The tanks aboard the boat are injected with direct oxygen, and the water is cooled with ice to reduce stress and slow metabolism of the fish.
The tanks aboard the boat are injected with direct oxygen, and the water is cooled with ice to reduce stress and slow metabolism of the fish.
With the weights recorded and the two fish back in the livewell, the process moves on to the next and final step.
With the weights recorded and the two fish back in the livewell, the process moves on to the next and final step.
Biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prepare the bass for their ride back to Fort Worth.
Biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prepare the bass for their ride back to Fort Worth.
This biologist is using a meter to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in the livewell.
This biologist is using a meter to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in the livewell.
Doing that will ensure there is adequate oxygen in the livewell.
Doing that will ensure there is adequate oxygen in the livewell.
If needed, additional ice is added to the livewell to reduce bass metabolism and stress.
If needed, additional ice is added to the livewell to reduce bass metabolism and stress.
Each of the 2 transported bass were held in separate livewells to further reduce stress.
Each of the 2 transported bass were held in separate livewells to further reduce stress.
After a final check to ensure livewells are on full time recirculation, the anglers departed for Fort Worth. On Championship Sunday, the top 25 anglers will bring back their complete catch of up to 5 bass, to be displayed
After a final check to ensure livewells are on full time recirculation, the anglers departed for Fort Worth. On Championship Sunday, the top 25 anglers will bring back their complete catch of up to 5 bass, to be displayed
Another team of Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists were there, awaiting their arrival. The same process followed at the lake will happen at the arena. Direct oxygen will be added to the livewells, as needed, and more ice. The bass will be transported back to Ray Roberts in a Texas Parks and Wildlife mobile hatchery truck.
Another team of Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists were there, awaiting their arrival. The same process followed at the lake will happen at the arena. Direct oxygen will be added to the livewells, as needed, and more ice. The bass will be transported back to Ray Roberts in a Texas Parks and Wildlife mobile hatchery truck.