Former Classic Champion Davis Competes in Opens

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Among the 195 anglers competing on the pro side of last weekend’s Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes was a familiar face — former Bassmaster Classic champion Mark Davis.

It was the Arkansas pro’s first return to BASS action since competing as a regular on the Bassmaster Tour [now the Bassmaster Elite Series] in 2005. He fished two other national circuits last year.

The five-time BASS winner has appeared in 13 Bassmaster Classics and is looking to qualify yet again for the marquee event.

“It’s another chance to make the Classic,” the 43-year-old said of his Southern Open appearance. “And I’ve got sponsors that want me to fish BASS tournaments. So here I am.

“My sponsors obviously would like me in the Classic. It’s always been that your sponsors dictate basically what you do….. BASS tournaments are still the best deal going for sponsors across the board. And that’s why I’m over here.”

Davis, who won four tournaments in 13 months during his previous stint with BASS, picked up right where he left off in the season-opening event. He finished sixth in the Southern Open with 40 pounds, 11 ounces. Davis is one of 17 anglers to have amassed over $1 million in career BASS earnings.

He will next compete in the Southern Open event scheduled in Manning, S.C., on Santee Cooper Reservoir May 3-5.

 

From BASS