2022 Bassmaster Classic Final
The 2022 Bassmaster Classic came to close today with a razor thin margin. For a lot of the day Stetson Blaylock was looking really good, and according to BassTrakk, was leading. With only 3 Classic appearances, including 2022, winning the Classic would been quite the upset.
Kyle Welcher put up some big numbers for the third and final day with 17lbs-4oz of bass at the scales. During this year's tournament, Welcher was nothing if not consistent, bringing in over 17lbs each day. He finished at 53lbs-11oz.
Hank Cherry, the two-time defending champion just didn’t have what it took this year to even land in the top 10. Placing at 17th at the end of the 3-day tournament there’s not much left to say other than, better luck next year.
We said it from Day one, this is the year to watch Jason Christie! This powerhouse fisherman appearing in 8 Bassmaster Classics, having 29 Top 10 finishes, and 2 Bassmaster Classic leads going into Day 3 finally clenched the “W” with another over 17lb day. This brought his total tournament weight up to 54lbs even, just 5 ounces over Welcher.
“I tell ya this, when I came through that door, I thought I’d lost it again.” Jason Christie - 2022 Bassmaster Champion
When he saw the scale read 17lb-9oz, Christie threw his fist in the air with a scream of excitement. He had won the ever-elusive title of Bassmaster Champion.
When interviewed on stage he had this to say:
“You know the first thing that comes to mind is my kids. They’re not here, but they’re watching. I told everybody losing the three ways that I’ve lost is gonna make it that much [more] special whenever I did win… Uh, today was a rough day, but I am the most stubborn person in the world, and I’m gonna do it my way and that’s just whats gonna happen. I did not lose a single fish all week, and I cannot tell you how lucky it is. I mean I had one deep hole and I had some dock fish and that was it. And it was just put your nose in the dirt and grind and that’s what I’ve done for the last three days.”
He commented on some of his strategy and technique during the tournament, saying:
“Who thought that I would even weigh a single fish ever in a classic on a spinner and I probably weighed half of ‘em.”
Christie addressed the audience, both in the room, and remote,
“I tell you one thing I got my first ever tour level win, I think it was in this arena at Hartwell. And, uh, around this lake you guys here. We don’t make professional bass fishing. We don’t make Bassmaster. You guys make Bassmaster.”
After the confetti cannons and chryo jets blew, his fiancé joined him on stage, flowers in hand. Hank Cherry did the famous hand off from the previous Bassmaster Classic winner to the next.
Jason Christie had this to say while holding the Classic Trophy in his arms, “I know there will be no more talk of 2 blown Classic leads. That’s over. “
It is indeed Jason. Well done.
As he and his fiancé made the world-famous lap around the arena in his boat, Queen’s “We Are the Champions” played from the PA in arena. What an amazing and unforgettable experience any serious fishermen could hope to achieve.
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Source: Bassmaster
Photo Credit: James Overstreet – Bassmaster Website