Surviving the Classic Cut: Living to Make the Dream Happen

by Bruce Callis Jr

And like that, day 2 of the Bassmaster Classic is now in the history book. The field of 56 has been cut to the top 25 and history will be made on championship Sunday. Who will be the winner?

Day 2 started off chilly, but for some of the anglers, the cool start didn’t make a difference. The fish may have moved, but they found them. Some found lots of smaller bass, while some found a better quality. It was a day full of excitement on the live feed.

And while the feed kept us involved, the Expo proved to be fun way to watch it today as well. There was a great crowd filling it all day and there were plenty of kids there with their parents. It is always fun getting to watch the kids having fun. Of course having so many big anglers in the booths makes for long lines to meet them.

Today was also The Girl Fishing Gang meet up at the Bass Pro Shop Booth. It was great getting to see so many woman from different generations and young ladies in the fishing industry get together. It is all about supporting each other. The highlight is always the young girls who come over to get to meet the ladies. Their role models who are showing them that they can do anything they put their minds to in the fishing world.

And then it was time to make the move over to the BOK Center for the weigh-in and see who made the cut to fish Championship Sunday. A great crowd go to see Kevin VanDam, Johnny Morris, and Bill Dance come into the arena. And then finally, the first angler made their way into the arena. Bryan Schmitt stepped to the stage to put 14 pounds 15 ounces on the scale to take the lead on day 2.

For those that did not see the live feed on our Facebook page, they missed see Tyler Rivet as he showed a kid his big bass for the day, before getting out the American flag and exposing his guns to enter the arena. Tyler had a 13 pound 6 ounce bag, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to secure him a spot for Sunday.

While standing there watching Bryan and Tyler prepare to make their entrance, I actually got to meet a young man and his dad who were attending their first Classic together. What was really amazing was the fact that they were from Powhatan, Virginia. We had a great time talking fishing before I finished my filming and then headed into the media room.

And then Justin Hamner rode into the arena and stepped up onto the stage, holding what he hoped would be a bag big enough to keep him in the lead for another day. With another big bag weighing 20 pounds, he did just that!

And then it was over. Back stage was a madhouse, everyone trying to get that interview in, anglers trying to get a quick drink and something to eat before making the 1.5 hour ride back to where they were staying. Some stayed around local to get something to eat with their family before heading out.

The top 25 were set, with young Aaron Yavorsky holding the lead for big bass for the day with a beautiful 6 pound 12 ounce bass, but falling just short in his first Classic. Who will find the right ones tomorrow? And who will be holding the trophy high tomorrow evening? Who will make that dream come true?  

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