BASS announced today that the 2010 Bassmaster Classic will return in
February to Lay Lake in Shelby County, Ala., site of three previous
Classic competitions — 1996, 2002 and 2007.
Fifty-one Classic
qualifiers will hit the Coosa River impoundment Feb. 19-21 for the 2010
Classic title. As previously announced, the Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex in downtown Birmingham, Ala., will be the site of
the daily weigh-ins and accompanying 2010 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors
Expo. This weekend BASS firmed up the location for the morning
festivities at Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp, 537 Beeswax Park Road, near the
town of Columbiana, Ala.
"Shelby County is excited about the
opportunity to showcase our natural resources and attract an
international audience as we host our fourth Bassmaster Classic," said
Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock. "Lay Lake continues to be a
destination for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts, and Shelby
County will continue to promote tourism through these types of events
in our local, regional and state economy."
Alabama
is no stranger to the biggest event in the sport. The state has hosted
10 Classic events, including three contested on Lay Lake. The most
recent, in 2007, is famous for being the first to be won by a
home-state pro: Bassmaster Elite Series pro Boyd Duckett of Demopolis.
He laid to rest the myth of "home-state jinx" when he won with 48
pounds, 10 ounces of Lay Lake bass.
Duckett bested fellow Elite pro Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., by just 6 ounces.
Reese,
who landed his first Classic title less than a month ago at the Red
River in Louisiana, said another Classic on Lay Lake could be his
chance to extract about 6 ounces' worth of revenge.
"Another
Classic on Lay Lake is great news. I will get the opportunity to go
back to Lay Lake and try to win. Finishing second to Boyd in 2007 was a
little tough to swallow," he said half-jokingly.
"I feel a Classic on Lay also will be an opportunity for me to repeat as champion, and I'm excited about going back there."
With
the defending champion's automatic qualification for 2010, right now
Reese is the only angler with a secured berth — the other 50 will
qualify through various BASS tournament circuits.
"Birmingham
is excited to host the 40th Bassmaster Classic and we anticipate
another fantastic event," said Mike Gunn, vice president, Greater
Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. "This is our seventh time
hosting this prestigious, major sporting event."