35 milestones in bass history

These events molded a fledgling sport into a ultibillion-dollar industry, and turned the pastime of a few into a lifestyle of millions …

By Craig Lamb
Bassmaster, June 2003

Updated: March 30, 2005, 2:48 PM ET

Following his All-American Bass tournament held in the fall of 1967 on Alabama's Smith Lake, Ray Scott knew he was on to something. For the second time in four months, he'd convinced more than 100 die-hard bass fishermen to pay 100 bucks apiece to compete in what was billed as an exclusive, invitation-only tournament.

While promoting the tournaments, Scott had kicked around in his mind the idea of creating a membership organization fueled by the competitive spirit of bass fishing. The first move was to give his farfetched idea a name. After Nashville outdoor editor Bob Steber suggested that Scott call the organization BASS, the abbreviation for the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, the name stuck, and Scott went to work.

Click here to JOIN BASS!

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35 milestones in bass history

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