Three former Bassmaster Classic champions and two other industry stalwarts will be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame during ceremonies in September.
The induction ceremony will be Sept. 19 at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo.
Inductees include Mark Davis of Mt. Ida, Ark., David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., and Davy Hite of Ninety Six, S.C. — all Classic champions and lure innovators. The three also competed on the FLW Tour, with Fritts winning the 1997 Forrest Wood Cup championship and Hite claiming the 1998 Cup before his 1999 Classic title. Davis won three Angler of the Year titles and the 1998 Classic.
Joining them posthumously in the hall will be the artist Chris Armstrong, noted for his vivid illustrations in Bassmaster Magazine, and Zoom Bait Company founder Ed Chambers. Armstrong's colorful illustrations depicted bass, forage, habitat and other scenes that helped Bassmaster readers more easily understand the technique or strategy being explained. Chambers keyed in on the growing soft-plastic fishing craze that grew in the 1970s and early '80s to create Zoom, which has hundreds of products and is one of the most recognizable brand names in the industry.
Selection Process
According to the BFHoF, the five were nominated by supporters of the Hall of Fame. They were elected by a 30-member panel of sportfishing industry leaders, members of the outdoor media, professional anglers and current inductees of the Hall of Fame.
“All these men, in both what they have done and continue to do, reflect perfectly on the Hall’s mission to celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing,” said John Mazurkiewicz, vice president of the Hall of Fame board and Nominations Committee chair. “We are confident the selection process first implemented last year helps ensure that we will continue to induct the most deserving bass fishing innovators and pioneers.”
Inductees are enshrined in the Hall of Fame museum, which opened in November 2017 within the Wonders of Wildlife complex at the flagship Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield. On display in the museum are artifacts, photos and biographical information about 71 members of the Hall of Fame who have been inducted since 2001.
Information on event and table sponsorships, dinner seats and tickets for a special VIP unveiling reception, along with details about the Hall and its mission, are available at www.BassFishingHOF.com.