Last Friday (Feb. 24) at the Bassmaster Classic, the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (HOF) announced its list of inductees for the class of 2007.
Four legendary anglers will enter the HOF.
Basil Bacon
Basil Bacon (Springfield, Mo.) is a nine-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and two-time BASS winner whose career spanned three decades. The HOF noted he's been credited with several innovations including the thumb-bar and flipping switch for reels, and the flipping deck for bass boats.
His lure creations include the Gambler Bacon Rind creature bait and the Wakin' Bacon spinnerbait.
Stan Fagerstrom
Stan Fagerstrom of Florence, Ore, is a well-known outdoor writer and expert trick-caster. Over his 50-year career he's traveled the world to report on sportfishing and he was one of the first writers to embrace and publicize the sport of professional bass fishing.
He's internationally known as "The Master Caster" – a title given for his ability to cast practice plugs around corners, or into tiny targets ranging from coffee cups to people's shirt pockets.
Bill Norman
Bill Norman, founder of Norman Lures, created several legendary lures including the Norman Little N and DD22 crankbaits.
Among other distinctions, he's credited with establishing the first tournament pro team. He passed away on August 7, 1995 and will be inducted posthumously.
Dee Thomas
A true pioneer, Dee Thomas (Brentwood, Calif.) is credited as the inventor of flipping and in many circles is referred to as the "father of flipping." He first introduced flipping to the greater fishing world in 1975 when he won the Arkansas BASS Invitational. The technique has dominated tournament fishing ever since.
> The four inductees will be enshrined into the HOF during the 2007 Classic.
