SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — For immediate release—Jan. 29, 2026 — World championship and exemplary pro anglers, legendary boat and tackle manufacturers, and all-around trailblazers of the sport form the diverse lineup comprising the 2026 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame ballot.

Twelve people who have made a lasting and meaningful impact on the sport bass fishing have reached the final doorstep of enshrinement into the Hall of Fame with the ballot announcement.

 

Name	Category	Location
Terry Brown	Media	Normal, Ill.
Edwin Evers	Angler	Talala, Okla.
Don Iovino	Angler	Burbank, Calif.
Pam Martin-Wells	Angler	Bainbridge, Ga.
Andy Morgan	Angler	Dayton, Tenn.
John Murray	Angler	Spring City, Tenn.
Takahiro Omori	Angler	Tokyo, Japan
Rick Pierce	Industry	Mountain Home, Ark.
Lynn Reeves	Industry	Ozark, Mo.
Hal Schramm	Educator	Counce, Tenn.
Clark Wendlandt	Angler	Leander, Texas
Mike Whitaker	Industry	Gilbertsville, Ky.

 

“These folks have spent most of their lives contributing to the lifestyle and sport of bass fishing,” said Bruce Stanton, President of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame   Board of Directors. “It is a high honor just to be nominated to the final ballot. And a few of these individuals will be immortalized forever in our hall in Springfield, Missouri.”

The 10-person Nominations Committee, comprised of members of the Hall’s Board of Directors, selected the final ballot from the organization’s master list of eligible candidates, identifying top nominees based on committee input and prior ballot consideration, with those selections reviewed collectively to shape a final ballot reflecting both sustained recognition and new consideration.

“We refined our selection process to consider top vote getters from previous ballots while considering new nominees,” said Craig Lamb, chair of the Board’s nominations committee and a 2025 Hall inductee. “The 2026 ballot represents our best effort to honor the worthiest individuals who also support our mission to celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing.”

The slate of nominees will be considered and voted on by the 30-member Hall of Fame Selection Panel and the 50 living members of the Hall. Each voter will choose five names and rank them in order of preference with the top choice receiving five (5) points, second receiving four (4) points, and so on. Voting will conclude on Feb. 13.

The Class of 2026 will be announced in March. The inductees will be honored during “Celebrate Bass Fishing Week” when the Hall of Fame holds its annual induction ceremony and banquet on Sept. 24, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo.

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About the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF)
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors, dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing. The Hall’s inductees and historical memorabilia are showcased in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. For more information about the road to induction, the Hall’s impact on the community, or to get involved, visit www.BassFishingHOF.com.

or contact BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at [email protected].

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Barbara Bowman

Executive Director

[email protected]

BassFishingHOF.com

P.O. Box 26584

Little Rock, AR 72221

501-541-6660

We are dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing

Be Social – @BassFishingHOF