Alabama’s Kim Bain Becomes First Woman to Qualify for Bassmaster Classic

Story & Photo Courtesy of B.A.S.S.

October 25, 2008


Kim Bain has been to the Bassmaster Classic as a spectator and an ESPN2 analyst and now in four months, the Alabaster, Ala., pro will attend the Classic as the first woman competitor in its 39-year history as she secured the ultimate prize Saturday, earning the Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year and the subsequent Bassmaster Classic berth with a dominating season-long performance.

In her first year competing on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors, Bain has been cool and collected throughout, fighting the significant nerves in trying to accomplish the historic feat. The 28-year-old broke down Saturday after finishing first at the Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors on Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton, her second victory of the five-event season. Bain scored bookend victories in her banner season sandwiched around two second-place finishes and a sixth.

Bain left her birthplace of Brisbane, Australia, when she was 19 to pursue a career in professional bass fishing, which was a tough decision at the time. The AOY, Classic berth and Championship win have cemented her reputation as one of the top women anglers in the world and validated her decision.

“I truly have come full circle. I grew up watching the Bassmaster Classic and reading about it and have experienced it on many levels” said Bain, who was presented the Classic invitation by Bobby Murray, the 1971 and first Bassmaster Classic champion. “Qualifying is a dream come true. Hopefully, I can make female anglers everywhere proud.”

Despite Bain’s dominating regular-season performance, she entered the tournament within striking distance for the AOY. Cindy Hill of Smyrna, Tenn., and Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, failed to leapfrog Bain at the Championship and Bain seized the momentum on the second day of competition, taking home a $55,000 boat package and $5,000 with the victory.


Bain now has four months to experience the publicity onslaught sure to follow her to the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

“I had a big dream as a kid to fish in the Bassmaster Classic,” said Bain. “Anytime you accomplish something that you have put a lot of work and time into, it is pretty special.”

The full list of AOY standings can be found below.

The Championship event closed out the WBT season, which Academy Sports & Outdoors supported as a presenting sponsor. Jerry deBin, outdoor marketing director for Academy, reflected on the history-making season.

“Academy Sports & Outdoors is excited to be sponsoring another women’s sporting event” said deBin. “We are especially pleased to partner with BASS in creating an environment where the first woman angler will qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.”

Sponsors of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour include Academy Sports & Outdoors, Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance, Mercury, Skeeter, Yamaha, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Legend Boats, MoGills and Mustang.



About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA WOMEN’S BASSMASTER TOUR ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

1. Kim Bain Alabaster, Ala. 1200
2. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 1140
3. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 1133
4. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 1097
5. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 1073
6. Angie Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 1070
7. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 1055
8. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 1038
9. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 1030
10. Audrey McQueen Eagar, Ariz. 1017
11. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 1013
12. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 1006
13. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, Texas 1002
14. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 1000
15. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 978
16. Kat Ealey Moody, Ala. 975
17. Tammy Richardson Glenwood, Ark. 972
18. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, La. 957
19. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 950
20. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 948