Truly Going International

How can they call it the “World Series” if only American teams are invited?

That was more or less the conundrum that bass fishing suffered from for a long time. Even though like baseball, the sport was born here, it had gained traction elsewhere – but at the uppermost levels, it was still a good old boys' American club. Sure, there was an occasional competitor from Canada, Japan, South Africa, or Mexico (remember Raul Morineau?), but they were mostly one-offs. To the extent they were featured in a tournament like the Bassmaster Classic, they made it through the Federation and many (but not all) were out of their league.

The increasing numbers of Japanese pros changed that, and Takahiro Omori’s Classic win at Lake Wylie in 2004 kicked it into overdrive. People seemed shocked that he had both a Japanese flag and an American flag in the boat as he took his victory lap.

The world wasn’t ready in other ways, either. There was no BASS Live then, or similar coverage. You had to wait just to get basic standings, let alone video snippets or meaningful tournament information. Had Carl Jocumsen been competing then, even though the internet was established, had no way to watch him in real-time. Today I’m told that when Carl makes a top ten, BASS is able to track a meaningful amount of Aussie viewership in their numbers.

All of that makes it much more meaningful that we’ll have a substantial international contingent at the 2023 Classic in Knoxville. With more casts left to be made, there will be at least four Canadians – Chris Johnston, Cory Johnston, and Jeff Gustafson from the Elite Series, plus Cooper Gallant by virtue of winning an Open. Add to that Japanese anglers Takumi Ito and Kenta Kimura, the latter of whom will double-qualify through the Elites as well as an Open win on the James River.

Those two countries have been represented before – the newest one in the mix is Australia, via Jocumsen’s 43rd-place finish in the AOY race. It seemed tenuous when he struggled on Day Two in La Crosse, but now he’s in and he’s tied for first place with everyone in the field. Knoxville might not be the same after his self-described rowdy fans show up.

This is good for the sport. It gives us credibility, even though there is still no way to qualify exclusively through events on other countries’ soil (or, rather, their water). I’m not rooting for anyone in particular, and while it would be strange to see a Canadian or Australian flag being waved proudly in the deep south, it would be a sign of the rising tide of talent, and the increased desirability of playing in our little sandbox.