(Photo above courtesy of Humminbird MinnKota)
On Sunday March 26th, Jeff Gustafson became the 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion after three days of fishing on the Tennessee River.
Jeff Gustafson’s highly decorated nine-year career includes highlights such as 11 top 20 finishes, one of which was first place at the Bassmaster Elite on the Tennessee River in 2021. When Gustafson launched at Volunteer Landing last Friday, he wasn’t simply aiming to double up on his success history on the Tennessee River, he was focused on fulfilling a childhood dream — winning the Super Bowl of fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
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After a dominating event in 2021 which saw the Humminbird and Minn Kota secure his first Bassmaster Elite Series win, a return to the Tennessee River was all the more rewarding for the Kenora, Ontario native.
The event kicked off on Friday, March 24th in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. On day 1, Gustafson boxed an 18.8-pound, putting him into first place by a pound over his closest competitor, Brandon Lester.
On day 2, Gustafson again filled his limit with more smallmouth for a day total weight of 17.3 pounds and a two-day aggregate weight of 35.11 pounds.
In crediting his sponsor, Gamakatsu, Gustafson explained how the hook selection was important for getting those smallmouth in the boat. “In B.A.S.S. tournaments we cannot use nets, and smallmouth are often pretty wild and hot when you get them near the boat, so a lot of times I am going to boat flip them. This is where the heavier gauge Gamakatsu 604 really shines. If you are using a lighter wire hook in your jighead you run the risk of opening it up on those fish.”
On Championship Sunday, Gustafson set out in the first-place position with a 6-pound lead over fellow Simms Pro, John Cox. To start his day, Gustafson continued with the tactic that put him in the lead: “moping” in deep water while using forward facing sonar. Gustafson had found continued success with a Z-Man Jerk ShadZ in the smelt color on a 3/8-ounce Smeltinator jighead.
Compared to the previous two days, the water jumped up in temperature and Gussy’s tried-and-true method waned in effectiveness.
“Those first couple days, it looked easier than it was to get those suspended fish to bite,” said Gustafson. “Between catching short fish and the fish not committing to the bait, it was tough to catch five bass a day. It got tougher and tougher each day, and you could see how the pressure affected them on the final day.”
Instead of scratching his gameplan, Gustafson remained calm. He knew that with Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging on his Humminbird APEX unit, simply catching five keeper smallmouth bass would give him a chance to take the title. Anglers focused on largemouth in shallow water slowly began to close the gap on Gustafson’s lead, but Gustafson continued grinding until he had two quality smallmouth in the well.
While the last day was not what Gussy would have wanted, the two fish he brought back to the scales were just enough to secure his dream coming true. After three days of intense competition and varying conditions, Shimano team member Gustafson emerged victorious, catching a total of 42 pounds and 7 ounces of Tennessee River smallmouth bass.
“You would be hard pressed to find a more widely respected angler who not only has the fans cheering him on but also, the vast majority of his competitors as well. We are unbelievably proud to see him raise the 2023 Bassmaster Classic trophy,” says Simms Director of Brand Marketing, Patterson Leeth.
Gustafson’s victory marks the first time a Canadian angler has won at the Bassmaster Classic, and his performance will go down as one to remember.
“This is unbelievable. I truly cannot describe what this means to me and to the folks that have supported me on my journey to get here,” said Gustafson. “To come back to the place where I was able to win an Elite Series event fishing how I like, and do virtually the same thing during the Bassmaster Classic, it feels awesome. I fished how I was comfortable, and I just jive with this body of water.”
Gear Used:
- Z-Man Jerk ShadZ Smelt pattern
- 1/0 Gamakatsu Model 604 jig hook
- 3/8-ounce Smeltinator Jighead
- Rod: G. Loomis NRX+Jig & Worm Spinning
- Reel: Shimano Stella 3000
- Line: 10lb yellow PowerPro
- MEGA Live Imaging with Humminbird APEX
