Knoxville, Tennessee, is hosting the 2026 Bassmaster Classic this weekend, drawing 58 elite anglers to compete for professional fishing's most coveted title and a $300,000 prize, with reigning champion Easton Fothergill holding the lead after Friday's action.
The Sport's "Super Bowl" Underway
Often dubbed the "Super Bowl of Bass Fishing," the annual Bassmaster Classic brings together top competitors for a three-day contest. Anglers started early Friday, many arriving before sunrise to begin their pursuit on the Tennessee River.
The competition unfolds across the Tennessee River's Fort Loudoun and Tellico Lakes. Each day, anglers work to catch their five heaviest fish, which they then bring to the weigh-in event.
These crucial weigh-ins are held at the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, located on the University of Tennessee's campus. The atmosphere in Knoxville has been electric, with crowds gathering to watch the proceedings.
Easton Fothergill, the 2025 champion, expressed his excitement and nerves about the event. "It's the 2026 Bassmaster Classic. We're here in Knoxville, Tennessee. I mean, the crowd is unbelievable," Fothergill stated. He added that seeing the massive turnout gives him goosebumps, highlighting the unique appeal of watching "a couple of dudes fish."
Day One Leaderboard Takes Shape
After the first day of competition on Friday, Easton Fothergill positioned himself at the top of the leaderboard. The 22-year-old brought in five fish weighing a total of 21 pounds and 8 ounces.
Fothergill, who secured a historic victory in 2025 with a record-setting 76 pounds and 15 ounces, is now attempting to achieve a rare feat: becoming the first angler to win consecutive Bassmaster Classic titles since Hank Cherry in 2021.
Close behind Fothergill is Fisher Anaya, who landed in the No. 2 spot with a total of 20 pounds and 15 ounces. Anaya, at just 20 years old, is making an impressive debut in his first Bassmaster Classic. He now aims to become the youngest Classic winner in the tournament's history.
Patrick Walters rounded out the top three on Friday, catching five fish that weighed 19 pounds and 10 ounces. Walters brings significant experience to the field, having spent eight years as a full-time professional angler. He also previously won the 2017 Bassmaster College Series National Championship, demonstrating his consistent competitive prowess.
Other notable anglers in the top 10 after Friday included Drew Cook with 19 pounds, 9 ounces, Dylan Nutt with 19 pounds, 5 ounces, and JT Thompkins at 18 pounds, 15 ounces. Yui Aoki, Paul Marks, Dakota Ebare, and Wesley Gore also secured spots in the top tier, all weighing in over 17 pounds of fish.
Catch the Action: TV and Streaming Schedule
Fans across the nation can follow the 2026 Bassmaster Classic through various television and streaming platforms throughout the weekend.
Daily live tournament coverage began Friday, March 13, running from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET exclusively on Bassmaster.com. The weigh-in for Friday also streamed live on Bassmaster.com starting at 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday, March 14, offers expanded viewing options. Live tournament coverage runs from 8 a.m. to Noon ET on Bassmaster.com. From Noon to 3 p.m. ET, the action shifts to Fox and can also be streamed via Fubo. Saturday's weigh-in will be available on Bassmaster.com starting at 3 p.m. ET.
The final day of competition on Sunday, March 15, features live tournament coverage from 8 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com. A recap of the day's events will air on FS2 and Fubo from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. The crucial final weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com. The tournament's concluding live coverage, including the crowning of the new champion, will be broadcast on Fox and Fubo from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
For those without cable, Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, providing access to Fox, FS2, and over 100 other channels of live TV and sports. This allows fans to stream the Fox and FS2 tournament coverage without a traditional cable subscription.
Anglers will spend the next two days battling changing conditions on the Tennessee River, chasing bites in hopes of securing the title and the substantial prize money.
