Alabamians don’t claim to have invented bass fishing, but the modern bass tournament did begin in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1968 with the incorporation of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). Those first rules for competitive bass fishing that foster the ideals of ethical angling, conservation and safety are still used today all around the world.
ESPN later purchased the organization and relocated the headquarters to Florida for several years. We’re pleased that in 2011 new owners Jim Copeland, Jerry McKinnis, and Don Logan – an Alabama native – purchased B.A.S.S. from the sports broadcasting company and moved the organization home to Birmingham, Alabama. The strong partnership of B.A.S.S. with the Alabama Bass Trail is helping us communicate the message of world-class fishing with anglers across the United States.
“Alabama is not only Bassmaster’s original home, but it’s also an important state in terms of the number of anglers, the number of professional fishermen and of course the rich abundance of great bass fishing lakes.”
Don Logan, Co-owner
Bassmaster
