Editor's Note: The field of 50 anglers hit the waters of Lake Conroe amid some fog this morning for the start of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC). Industry rep Alan McGuckin filed the following piece after he caught up with three of them – Kelly Jordon, Gerald Swindle and Terry Scroggins – to get their take on what makes the event so cool.
In its brief 6-year history, the TTBC has grown in stature and is considered to be one of the best events in all of professional bass fishing by top pros like Kelly Jordon, Gerald Swindle and Terry Scroggins.
The 3-day tournament invites the top 15 anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour, and PAA Series trails to compete against one another for a top prize of $100,000 plus a new boat.
Held each autumn, it’s actually far more than a tournament. It’s an outdoor event that includes several vendor booths in a fair-like venue, plus each day’s weigh-in is followed by a concert from a top country artist. This year’s concert lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan and Jake Owen.
In addition, the proceeds benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its youth outdoor programs.
The event was born through Gulf States Toyota’s desire to host an event that would raise conservation funds to assure the continued reputation of great bass fishing that Texas is famous for. That’s when Jordon, a Texas native, offered to help Gulf States Toyota plan the first TTBC held on Lake Fork in 2007.
Today, Jordon takes great pride in how the TTBC has gained the respect of his pro angling peers, and the fun it provides to fishing fans that love country music.
“The midway with all the vendor booths is outstanding, plus everybody loves the concerts,” said Jordon, who packs more songs in his smartphone than most radio stations. “If fans manage to take in the midway, the weigh-in, and the concert all in one day, I’d say they’ve really accomplished something.”
Speaking of big bass, the chance to catch a 9-pounder on any cast is never out of the question on Lake Conroe, and Swindle, the 2004 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, ranks the big-bass potential as one of his favorite things about the TTBC.
“I love the fact that all three major pro circuits send their top guys to compete against one another, and I love the fact that this lake has some giants swimming in it,” he said. “Plus, I’m a music lover, so the concerts put the icing on the cake each day.”
Scroggins, who rooms with Swindle, says there are so many perks to the tournament.
“How can you not see it as one of the greatest events in our sport,” he said. “First off, we have the best anglers from all three major pro tours competing here, there’s no entry fee, no points on the line, so it’s kind of laid back and filled with camaraderie, but yet we’re fishing for $100,000.
“I love everything about the TTBC. You practice hard here, you fish hard here, and whether you catch ‘em or not, you get to go to great concert at the end of the day. About the only bad thing I can think of is that they have a bunch of cowboy boots for sale around here, and my girlfriend loves cowboy boots. Now, that can cost a man a lot of money.”
