Classic Underdog Rasmussen Looks to Continue Championship Domination
In the world of competitive bass fishing, certain brands stand out for their innovation, reliability, and performance. For Bassmaster Opens angler Adam Rasmussen, this rings true when it comes to Humminbird® and Minn Kota®. Rasmussen, hailing from Central Wisconsin, has found recent success nationwide utilizing tools from Humminbird and Minn Kota to qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The same tools that Rasmussen has been using for years to make a living as a multi-species guide has helped him in his success when he made the jump to tournament bass fishing.
Rasmussen punched his ticket to this year's Classic by winning the 2023 Bassmaster Open at Alabama’s Wheeler Lake. He looks to carry that momentum, combined with that of his recent win at the 2024 B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula, Alabama in February, to fishing’s biggest stage this week in Tulsa.
“I am excited to fish in my first ever Bassmaster Classic,” said Rasmussen. “I’m ready for practice to start and just go out there each day of the tournament and catch the 5 biggest bass I can. I am just going to go out there and try to enjoy it and have fun,” added Rasmussen.
While Rasmussen is largely considered a long shot to take home the trophy and $300,000 payday from this year's Classic, it's the underdog stories in fishing that make the sport so special. At the start of a tournament, everyone has the same odds of winning; the only thing that matters is what happens on the water.
“I have always felt like an underdog coming from the Midwest and going down south to fish big national tournaments,” added Rasmussen. “It’s important to stay focused and learn from your past experiences. We have so many diverse fisheries in the Midwest, I think it can be an advantage having experience on so many diverse bodies of water.”
Rasmussen has always prided himself on staying up to date on the latest technology and since the beginning he has chosen Humminbird and Minn Kota to give him confidence on the water.
“I’ve seen the dominance of Humminbird and Minn Kota over the years, especially in championship events,” said Rasmussen. “They have always been at the forefront of technology and I have trusted them for years - wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
During the 2024 Bassmaster Classic, Rasmussen believes it will be dominated with prespawn techniques targeting structure such as rocks, lay downs, or brush piles. “I plan to lean heavily on my Humminbird MEGA 360® and MEGA Live Imaging® in this tournament and just let the fish tell me what to do during practice and hopefully keep it rolling during the tournament.”
With the 2024 Bassmaster Classic set to kick off this week in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, the Humminbird & Minn Kota team are excited about the prospects of this year's championship event.
“We are thrilled to see Adam compete in this event for the first time. It has been amazing to watch him go from a local guide to competing on the biggest stage in bass fishing,” added Tim Price, Pro Staff Manager at Johnson Outdoors. “We are all rooting for him and hoping he can bring the trophy back to Wisconsin.”
Rasmussen will compete for a chance at $300,000 and the hopes that his name will be engraved in bass fishing history at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic on March 22-24 at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.