More than three months away from the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, the full field of 51 anglers was finalized Saturday with Darrell West of Drasco, Ark., winning the Weekend Series Championship and scoring the final Classic berth. Also determined Saturday were two Classic berths from the Central Open circuit. James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, and Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La., earned those.
Niggemeyer double-qualified for the Classic - first through the Elite Series - and his Classic qualification will come from the Opens, opening the way for Mark Tucker of St. Louis, Mo., to move into the championship based on his position in the 2009 Angler of the Year standings.
The 40th edition of the Classic will be held Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham. Ala. The field is highlighted by Kevin VanDam, five-time Angler of the Year and Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who scored the second berth ever for a female angler on the strength of her 2009 Women's Angler of the Year title.
Also qualifying were the top 36 anglers in the 2009 Angler of the Year standings derived from the 2009 Elite Series; the top two anglers in the Open points standings in each of three 2009 Opens Divisions; six amateur competitors through the 2009 Federation Nation Championship and Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., the defending Classic champion.
With competitors who were double qualified, like Reese, BASS worked down the 2009 Angler of the Year standings to fill the field. The full list of competitors can be found below arranged alphabetically.
"Anglers of all skill levels consider the Classic the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world and qualifying for it is quite an accomplishment," said Tom Ricks, BASS and ESPN Outdoors vice president and general manager. "We are excited to host the 40th edition of our marquee event in the state where BASS was founded."
According to BASS rules, Lay Lake will become off-limits to Classic participants beginning Monday, Dec. 14. Anglers will get another crack at the fishery during the official practice period, set for Feb. 12-14, and a final look Feb. 17.
The competition will feature daily launches Feb. 19-21 at Beeswax Creek Boat Ramp. Daily weigh-ins will take place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.
2010 BASSMASTER CLASSIC QUALIFIERS
1. Jody Adkins North Canton, Ohio
2. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C.
3. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla.
4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla.
5. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo.
6. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark.
7. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla.
8. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan.
9. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La.
10. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala.
11. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas
12. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D.
13. Jeff Freeman Max Meadows, Va.
14. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla.
15. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La.
16. Matt Herren Trussville, Ala.
17. Don Hogue Pasco, Wash.
18. Randy Howell Springville, Ala.
19. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J.
20. Alton Jones Waco, Texas
21. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas
22. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala.
23. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala.
24. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas
25. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla.
26. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla.
27. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala.
28. Brent Long Cornelius, N.C.
29. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala.
30. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga.
31. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark.
32. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark.
33. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky.
34. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz.
35. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas
36. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas
37. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss.
38. Randy Phillips Oxford, Mass.
39. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C.
40. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif.
41. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz.
42. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohio
43. Bryan Schmidt Olney, Texas
44. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla.
45. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark.
46. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala.
47. Mark Tucker St. Louis, Mo.
48. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich.
49. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas
50. Darrell West Drasco, Ark.
51. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky.