The second annual Next Generation Classic launched 34 teams from Kentucky Dam Marina this past June 23rd. All teams had fished during the 2011 season to qualify for the event that would yield scholarships and prizes.

Directed by John Newton the teams left the marina that morning with clear skies and extremely hot weather predicted for the day. Temperatures would soar in the triple digits and would make Kentucky Lake bass fishing a challenge. At the end of day one former Next Generation Classic champions Steve and Lance Freeman from Eddyville Kentucky would come to weigh in with an 18 pound sack of Largemouth.  The Freeman’s first day bag would be the largest of the tournament. Second thru fourth place spots would be separated by only ounces. Johnny and Tyler Lancaster of Hopkinsville Kentucky would hold second place after day one with a limit weighing in at 14.91. Chris and Joey Bardill from Highland IL would capture third place with 14.88. Mason and Chandler Fleetwood divisional champions from the John Hay Lake division in southern Indiana would hold the fourth place position with a 14.88 lb. limit. Big Bass on day one would belong to Team Richey. Travis and Dillion from Manitou Kentucky brought in a 5.35 largemouth.

Day two of the tournament would yield much smaller limits of bass due to even hotter weather than the teams had on day one. Team Freeman that led on day one would only bring in a 12.38 limit almost five pounds less than they had on day one. However, Steve and Lance would have enough combined weight for the two days (30.48) to edge out the Fleetwood team of Mason and Chandler by less than four ounces. Steve and Lance would become repeat winners of the Next Generation Classic and walked away with a $5,000 General Sholarship plus a $500 scholarship for being the National Points Champions. Team Fleetwood would hold on to the second place spot with a two day total of 29.09 lbs. The Lancaster team of Johnny and Tyler took home the third place spot with 27.13 lbs. Big Bass for day to would go to Scott and Corbin Simms from Morgantown Indiana with a 6.53 largemouth.

The Next Generation is now in its third year and is growing in numbers. Teams are now fishing to earn enough points to compete in the 2013 Classic. The 2013 Next Generation Classic will be held on Patoka Lake, IN. The 2013 Classic will be held June 2013. The date will not be determined until after we go to the state drawing to get the permit in November.  

Next generation teams can fish NG divisions, Co-ed, Open or National trail tournaments to receive points toward the 2013 NG Classic. Once you have established a Next Generation team card simply present it at registration to the tournament director to assure your points will go your Next Generation team.

USA BASSIN would like to thank all those who assisted with the Next Generation in 2011. USA BASSIN is extremely proud of all those young men and women that have fished during the 2011 season and look forward to another successful year with the Next Generation trail.

Steve Hanson