Alabama the Bass Fishing Capital of the World?

Alabama the Bass Fishing Capital of the World?

By Janet Kynard, It Happens in Alabama
Is Alabama the Bass Capital of the World? Locations in Alabama have long carried nicknames that relate to the abundance and quality of fish in the area:

• Crappie Capital of the World ~ Cedar Bluff
• Catfish Capital of the World ~ Demopolis
• Bass Capital of the World ~ Eufaula
• #1 Bass Fishing Lakes in North America ~ Ray Scott’s Bass Retreat, Pintlala

But in the last year or so, Bass fishing has gone worldwide in popularity and Alabama is the place to be! With the announcement of the Alabama Bass Trail with its 11 premier bass fishing lakes throughout Alabama, the multitude of Bass Tournaments held for every possible reason all over the state, B.A.S.S. Bassmaster coming back home to Birmingham, the Bass Hall of Fame being built in Cullman and, we can’t forget the big one, The BassMaster Classic and Expo, held in Birmingham this last weekend, which Fans of the sport refer to as the “Super Bowl” of bass fishing, the title fits.
This was the eighth time Birmingham been the host and had 50 percent more attendance than four or five years ago, when it was held in Birmingham. Bass fishing is growing in popularity and Alabama is making its mark. With a central location and an abundance of natural resources, the state is a prime spot for anglers.
The bass Hall of fame site is expected to be almost on the shoreline of Smith Lake, not far from Lake Guntersville, which is where the Bassmaster Classic was held this past week.

Janet Kynard and Ray Scott

I can’t leave this article without mentioning my friend, Ray Scott. Ray, known to many as the GodFather of Bass Fishing, had a vision in 1967 of building the sport of bass fishing into a first ranked American sports.  His vision has led directly to the creation of a new industry that generates sales in the billions of dollars each year, and provides employment for millions people, directly and indirectly. That’s not bad for a guy who got his start selling peanuts at  Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama in the early 1940′s.
Ray has been so instrumental in the evolution of bass fishing from a pastime to an industry. It was his vision and rule of catch and release that transformed boats, adding live wells. By mandating the wearing of life jackets, countless lives have been saved. The list goes on and on. If you haven’t read his book ”Bass Boss: The Inspiring Story Of Ray Scott And The Sportfishing Industry He Created” you really need too.
Many are saying, Alabama is really the center of the universe for Bass fishing. What are your thoughts?