History Of Bass Fishing Anglers

The history of bass fishing anglers goes back to the early eighteenth century and has grown in popularity.  Bass fishing is now one of the most popular types of angling.  The sport has grown into a billion dollar industry in the US and influences innovation and development of all kinds of fishing gear, from lures to rods. The following men, listed in chronological order, highlight the history of bass fishing anglers through their achievements.

1. George Perry. The roll call of the history of bass fishing anglers starts in 1932 with George Perry catching the world record largemouth bass from Montgomery Lake in Georgia.  Perry had his fish weighed at the Helena, Georgia post office and the record fish weighed in at over 22 pounds.  Perry still maintains his hold on the record of catching the largest bass and remains eminent in the annals of the history of bass fishing anglers. 
2. Bill Dance.  A familiar face to bass anglers around the world, Dance has his own fishing show “Bill Dance Outdoors,” that has been on the air since 1968.  He has one the B.A.S.S Angler of the year award three times, and is well know among bass fishing aficionados.  He quit fishing professionally in 1980, but having hung up his fishing rod he now dedicates himself to educating people on the subject of fishing.  He also maintains a cult following of his funny blooper fishing videos.  
3. Ray Scott.  “Field and Stream” magazine compares Scott to the likes of Aldo Leopold, Teddy Roosevelt, and Rachel Carson for his contributions to conservation and the American outdoors.  He is considered by many to be the foremost authority on bass fishing, and is very well known in the history of bass fishing anglers.  Scott was the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S), in 1967.  In the same year Ray Scott hosted the first All American Invitational in Beaver Lake, Arkansas.  Many avid anglers regard this tournament as the birthplace of modern competitive bass fishing. 
4. Rick Clunn. Clunn was chosen the greatest B.A.S.S. angler of all time in an ESPN fan poll of 2005, and is considered one of the best in the history of bass fishing anglers.  He was the first angler to win one million dollars in competitive bass fishing. Clunn has won the Bassmaster Classic award four times.
5. Larry Nixon.  A professional angler, Nixon has competed in more than 106 bass fishing tournaments since 1998.  He won the Big Bass award on August 12, 2009 at Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas with a six pound bass.  Nixon has made millions of dollars from the sport of bass fishing, and is one of most successful fishermen in the history of bass fishing anglers. 
6. Kevin Van Dam. Van Dam won the Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 20, 2011, for the second time in a row.  He is now ties with Rick Clunn with four Bassmaster Classic wins.  Van Dam is considered to be the best bass fisherman in the world.  He has been fishing professionally since 1990, and has won the coveted Bass Angler award six times. Van Dam has earned more than five million dollars in tournaments.