With less competition, but more company, Cory Johnston leveraged late-day heroics to extend his lead on Day 3 of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

The Arkansas River has been a familiar and fantastic destination for B.A.S.S., but Chris Jones, a former qualifier for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, believes the river is destined to shine even brighter during the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Arkansas River presented by Lowrance.

When most anglers win the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing, they at least pretend like it came as the biggest surprise of their lives.

With a team from the University of Montevallo in the lead and only one other team (also from Montevallo) yet to weigh in, the Falcons already were guaranteed winners in the Strike King Bassmaster College Classic presented by Bass Pro Shops.

“I’m leading the Bassmaster Classic,” said Justin Hamner, sounding as much like he was asking a question as making a statement.  

Drew Gregory won the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX on Thursday, but he had to wait a full day, and a few additional hours for good measure, before his victory was confirmed.

Qualified kayak anglers from around the country will gather in eastern Oklahoma to compete in the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX, and Oklahoma’s own Jim Baird believes there will be plenty of opportunities to catch both smallmouth and largemouth.

B.A.S.S. has announced the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship will be held on the Ouachita River in Monroe, La., Dec. 4-7, with the winner filling the last spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors. The Team Championship marks the first time a Bassmaster event has been held on the Ouachita River since the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance was held there in November 2021.

After 4.5 million viewers enjoyed live coverage of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors on FOX, FS1 and the FOX Sports platforms in 2023, fans eager for up-to-the-minute coverage of this year’s Classic action will have ample opportunity to follow the year’s premier bass fishing event.

Before anglers take off on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees for competition March 22-24, the Classic LIVE Preview show on Tuesday, March 19, will feature an in-depth look at the anglers and conditions from the lake as well as predictions on who could take home the coveted Bassmaster Classic Ray Scott trophy.

Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Friday morning at 8 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday mornings before afternoon action from Championship Sunday picks up on FOX.

“Championship Sunday at the Bassmaster Classic is the pinnacle of a professional angler’s career, and watching the drama unfold live is the next best thing to being there for fans of the sport,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Our FOX Sports partnership has allowed us to reach a whole new fan base over the past three seasons. We’re also able to bring Bassmaster LIVE to the largest possible audience by broadcasting on FOX to show the action leading up to the crowning of a Classic champion. The story of the Classic unfolding is a must-see for casual viewers and devoted fans alike.”

Later Sunday night, a special Super Six highlight show will recap the Classic’s iconic winning moments.

While the Bassmaster LIVE team covers the leaders on FOX and FS1, viewers can also join Bass Fishing Hall of Fame journalist Steve Bowman and a stable of Elite Series anglers and fishing legends — including Rick Clunn, Bill Dance and Hank Parker — for LIVE Mix streaming on Bassmaster.com.

Daily weigh-in festivities can be streamed on Bassmaster.com beginning at approximately 6 p.m ET.

For a full schedule, including program re-airs, visit Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch.

The 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors is being hosted by the Tulsa Sports Commission.

On Wednesday, B.A.S.S. officials announced that Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Okla., will be the site of this year’s Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.

Jason Christie does not yet have a clear picture of how the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors will be won, but the Bassmaster Elite Series veteran from Dry Creek, Okla., is certain that Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees’ water clarity will be a major factor.

A profound lack of clarity gave James Sumrell and Brody Harp the clear advantage, as the Hixson Bass Team duo caught a five-bass limit of 18 pounds, 11 ounces and won the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Douglas Lake.