The International Bass Fishing Center – a multi-functional attraction centering on the world of bass fishing, is being planned for construction in Cullman, Ala., the Board of Director of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announced recently.
The plans were unveiled during the annual Hall of Fame induction dinner held on the eve of the Bassmaster Classic.
Located adjacent to I-65 in northern Alabama, the center will be the home of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments of those who have made significant contributions to the sport and the bass fishing industry.
“Within the center, anglers young and old can immerse themselves in the “Family Fishing Experience” attraction,” said Dr. C. Hobson Bryan, BFHOF board member and professor emeritus at the University of Alabama. “We’ll have fully stocked ponds for learn-to-fish excursions for area school children, plus we plan on hosting multi-day ‘fish camp’ clinics during the summer months.”
The IBFC will also include a “Boat and Tackle Showcase” – a living display of the ingenuity and innovation of the bass fishing industry, along with a variety of interactive displays in the Virtual Fishing area, from simulating catching the big one to a ride in a fast, state-of-the-art bass boat.
The “Discovery Center” will enable visitors to experience the watery world of bass first-hand by observing fish behavior in the 36,000-gallon aquarium designed by Acrylic Tank Manufacturing. Bass fishing professionals and other instructors will demonstrate the latest lures and techniques used successfully on the tournament trails.
With its close proximity to such world-class fisheries as Smith Lake and TVA lakes Guntersville, Wheeler, and Wilson, the IBFC will be a tournament headquarters and conference center.
According the BFHOF board president Sammy Lee, the location makes it a natural meeting place for fishing-industry related events. These can include national tournament organizations and angling research symposia, as well as bass tournament weigh-ins. The adjacent Cullman Civic Center will enable partnering with the city on a wide range of activities, including non-fishing related events as well.
Currently in the midst of a major fundraising effort – already supported by leading tackle industry names including PRADCO, Zebco, Shimano, G. Loomis, T-H Marine and Strike King, the BFHOF Board anticipates groundbreaking for the IBFC in fall 2016.
For more about the Hall, click here.
