A Classic Experience

Like many avid tournament Anglers, I am sitting here watching coverage of the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. It's such a great reminder at how grand this event truly is. It's often written about how winning the Classic is a life changing experience. What is rarely written about is how qualifying and actually fishing in a Bassmaster Classic is, to a degree, also life changing. Many new anglers that I meet often ask me the question, "so what is it really like fishing in a Bassmaster Classic?" The experience for me is burned into my memory like no other event in my life. I remember standing next to a tall Pine tree at our final event at the Ouchita River in Monroe Louisianna, waiting for the finalist's name to be called for the Classic. I had my back to the stage leaning on the tree as the B.A.S.S. staff started calling out the names. Knowing I was on the bubble and it would be close, I had prepared myself for the worst. It was the Bassmaster Central Opens and only the top 3 in points would qualify. Edwin Evers and Tim Carrolls names were called and then a pause came. The final spot, and they paused what seemed like 5 minutes, "goes to Steve Sennikoff". I let out a giant exhale and a second later my fishing mentor David Wharton placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "You made it. I'm proud of you". The Classic was held in July back then and Lake Wylie was off limits until June of that year. In June there was a one week official practice. My practice week was phenomenal. I chose a creek pattern fishing spinner baits and flipping brush hogs, and caught 20-25 fish each day of practice. The drive back to Texas was very easy because I felt that I had a legitimate shot at winning the Classic. Thirty days went by like a week, and it was time to head to Lake Wylie. I brought my wife and 5 kids with me, while my Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Aunt's, Uncles, Cousins, you name it all attended. When I checked in with the B.A.S.S. staff, they handed my an itinerary that had every hour of every day pre planned for the week. I was told that the week would be full of stress because we would constantly be going somewhere or doing something, but it wasn't for me. Their careful planning actually took a load off my mind. Each day there were lunches, meetings, seminars, dinners, autograph sessions, media interviews, and more. On the morning of the first day of competition I was so amazed at how many spectators actually showed just for the launching of the Contestants. It was an estimated 3,000-4,000 people. Loud music, people cheering, camera's rolling, and Helicopters over head had me pumped beyond my wildest imagination. We left the marina in a predetermined order, and I'll never forget the chills that went down my neck as they called my name. I had a twenty minute boat ride, so most of my adrenaline rush was gone when I made that first cast. From there, the fishing was just like any other big tournament. I quickly caught a limit but lost 2 giant fish on that first day. We then headed to the Coliseum for the weigh in. That was no doubt my 2nd adrenaline rush for the day. I'll never forget riding in my Triton boat through the smoke, hearing my intro music, and walking across the stage for the first time with a limit of fish in hand. My favorite memory was being interviewed with the mic put before me, and gazing at a packed house while answering questions about my fishing day. I wish everyone who ever fishes tournaments a shot at that feeling. When you get there you will remember it for the rest of your life. I was in 14th place after the first day and still had a shot at recovering from my 2 lost fish, but that never happened. I did make the final day cut and finished in 20th place. Driving back to Texas, I could only think of what it would be like at my next Classic. Little did I know that I would have a 6 year absence from the sport I love on the road to follow, which I briefly explain in my Bio here on my profile page. Which brings me to today, following the coverage of the 2015 Classic. Although it gets harder to qualify for every year, please don't ever doubt......... I will return someday to the Pinnacle of fishing....the Bassmaster Classic, as a contestant, for a shot at being the World Champion. Until then, good luck fishing - Steve.