Bass Fishing Hall of Fame grand opening
Category: press release
Nov 14th, 2017 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Nov 14th, 2017 at 12:00 AM
The all-new Bass Fishing Hall of Fame celebrated its grand opening and honored the 2017 inductees last evening at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, located next to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri.
The first expansion within Wonders of Wildlife since its grand opening in September 2017, the all-new permanent exhibit is a gift from Johnny Morris to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
Established in 1999, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is an organization committed to celebrating and promoting the storied sport of bass fishing, serving as a shrine to the men, women and companies who have supported and elevated the sport. Located inside the Aquarium, the exhibit’s first-ever permanent home includes a fascinating collection of artifacts and memorabilia including authentic rods and reels, antique lures and historical photos. Several artifacts date back to the early days of competitive bass fishing tournaments in the 1960s, including the scale used to weigh record catches and the first Bassmaster Classic victory trophy.
The Hall of Fame exhibit features more than 60 members including Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, Johnny Morris, Ray Scott, President George H.W. Bush and many others. The 2017 inductees included the late Wade Bourne, Shaw Grigsby, Bob Sealy, Morris Sheehan, and Louie Stout, each recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the sport.
Admission to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is included with admission to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. With more than 1.5 miles of immersive trails to explore, the Aquarium features saltwater and freshwater exhibits home to more than 35,000 live animals including double-digit largemouth bass inside the Lunker Lake exhibit.