Claude “Fish” Fishburne will return to the Bassmaster Classic to share hosting duties for the Feb. 19-21 event based in Birmingham, Ala., with longtime Bassmaster Elite Series emcee Keith Alan.
Fishburne, known to everyone as “Fish,” began his long association with BASS in 1986 as a professional bass angler. Throughout his 12-year career, he competed in 108 BASS tournaments, won two and qualified for the Classic four times: 1987, 1993 (in Birmingham), 1994 and 1995.
He began hosting BASS tournament weigh-ins in 1998. His fishing background combined with his ability to have fun with a microphone in hand and his instant rapport with an audience quickly made him a popular stage personality. But Fishburne eventually moved on to pursue other opportunities in TV and event hosting.
Now he and his high-energy approach are back to entertain the thousands of fans expected to pack the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in downtown Birmingham. Fishburne will be on hand for three days of weigh-ins at the 40th Classic, in which 51 anglers will compete on Lay Lake in Shelby County for a $500,000 top prize.
Fishburne will work alongside Alan, the quick-witted and able anchor of Bassmaster Classic shows and Elite weigh-ins since 2006. Why two emcees?
“We are always striving to heighten the fan experience,” said Jamie Wilkinson, BASS senior director, events & business development. “Fish brings a unique presence to the Classic and we are confident in his ability to entertain what promises to be a tremendous crowd.”
Fishburne said he can’t wait to again be part of the biggest event in sportfishing.
“I’m very, very excited about it,” he said. “I hosted in 2002 when the Classic was on Lay Lake, and the weigh-ins were in Birmingham, so it will feel like a homecoming in more than one way.”
His role likely will change from day to day, but his focus always will be on creating interactive fun for the fans, he said.
“I want to make it happy and fun and exciting — I want to help create a good time for everyone there — whether I’m, say, in the stands talking with fans or backstage interviewing an angler waiting to weigh in, or on the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo floor,” Fishburne said.
His off-site interviews will be presented on video screens inside the arena of the BJCC for the daily weigh-ins, so fans can catch every minute. He said he also could host some segments on a secondary stage on the main floor of the BJCC.
While the daily weigh-ins are the big draw of any Classic, fans can look forward to other activities, all free and open to the public. Highlights include concerts by two top country music artists preceding Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins: Darryl Worley will appear at 3:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19, and Chris Young will perform at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20.