Wanna go fishing with Bill Dance? Winning that bucket list trip, along with plenty of other fishing and hunting trips, unique fishing memorabilia, tournament jerseys from leading professional bass anglers, fishing tackle, and more, will be up for bids when Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s ‘Celebrate Bass Fishing’ online auction – presented by Major League Fishing – opens on noon (EST) on Friday, Sept. 24 to kick off the Hall’s celebration of its 2020 and 2021 induction classes.
The online auction – view the site at https://one.bidpal.net/bassfishinghof2021/browse/all – is one of many activities taking place as the bass fishing world gathers at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield on Thursday, Sept. 30 for the Hall’s annual induction dinner. “It’s all part of our mission to celebrate, promote, and preserve the sport of bass fishing, with the online auction being our major fundraising event enabling us to host the induction and efforts including our conservation grants,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz.
While the day of bass fishing with Bill Dance is one of the highlight items in the auction, current bass fishing pros including Cody Meyer, Ish Monroe, Alex Davis, Randy Howell, Josh Douglas, Jeff Gustafson and others are also offering fishing trips. “These are great opportunities to fish noted waters like Lake Guntersville for personal best largemouth, or to target big smallmouth north of the border at Lake of the Woods,” said BHFOF Board member Todd Ceisner with In-Fisherman/Outdoor Sportsman Group Media. “There’s also trips with Hall of Fame anglers Billy Murray to target bass, crappie, or walleye on Lake Hamilton or Ouachita near Hot Springs, Ark., fishing historic Santee-Cooper with another Hall of Famer Davy Hite.”
A long list of hunting items will be offered as well, including guns from Benelli, Ruger and Sig Sauer, along with unique hunting adventures, including a duck hunt with the star of television’s ‘Swamp People’ T-Roy Broussard and noted photographer James Overstreet. And if you have never targeted Aoudod sheep, Hall of Fame member Bob Sealy, known for the popular Big Bass Splash events, has donated a three day/two-night hunt, with lodging and meals included, at his Texas ranch. It’s a trip valued at more than $7,000.
“When I was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2017, it truly was one of those lifetime honors,” said Sealy. “As an inductee, I also have an obligation to always do my small part to support the Hall and the Board with its mission. Celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing is part of my personal mission also.”
Plenty of tackle items will be available in the auction, including Daiwa’s ICAST award-winning Zillion SV TW baitcasting reel, lure package assortments from Strike King, Heddon, Booyah, Yum, Rapala, Big Bite Baits, SPRO, Rapala, and Missile Baits. In addition, rods and reels from Lew’s, St. Croix, 13 Fishing, Falcon and Quantum will be up for grabs. Technical clothing from leading brands including AFTCO and Simms are on the auction items list, plus coolers and storage bags from the likes of Mammoth and Yukon.
More items are expected to be added to the auction even after bidding opens on Friday.
“By offering the auction online where you can join in all week on their smartphones, tablets and computers, we’re hoping that anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada will want to be part of our Celebrate Bass Fishing events.
The auction will close at the conclusion of the induction night ceremonies, approximately 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, Sept. 30.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame wants to acknowledge the financial support provided by presenting sponsors B.A.S.S., Major League Fishing, Rather Outdoors; gold sponsors Bass Cat Boats, PRADCO Outdoor Brands, Wired2fish, and Bass Pro Shops/Wonders of Wildlife; silver sponsors AFTCO and Daiwa; and bronze sponsors In-Fisherman, Phoenix Boats, Simms Fishing and Shimano.
Individual dinner tickets – along with limited full tables – to the HOF induction dinner remain available until Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m., or until the White River Conference Center banquet facility reaches capacity limits. To purchase tickets and/or tables – visit https://one.bidpal.net/bassfishinghof2021/ticketing, or contact Barbara Bowman at [email protected] – or call 501.541.6660l.
