It’s media day at the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour and the anxious excitement from anglers, fans, and media alike is tangible. The Classic is unlike any other bass tournament and with the start of the event just a few hours away, the collective mood of the competitors is changing as the weight of the opportunity in front becomes more and more real.

The volatile wind and weather this week have added an element of the unknown for Classic competitors, as they prepare to compete for $300,000 and a life-changing trophy. There is an additional $20,000 on the line for anglers running a Yamaha Outboard in the Classic through the Yamaha Power Pay program. Which rewards anglers who compete in one of the over 500 supported tournaments and are the highest finishing person (or team) running an eligible Yamaha motor.

We caught up with Yamaha pros Carl Jocumsen, Justin Atkins, and defending champion Justin Hamner to gain a little insight of their thoughts and gameplans going into the Classic.

 

Q – What are three lures / techniques you expect to play a role on Ray Roberts this weekend?

Jocumsen – “Big swimbait for sure, a big jig, and a spinnerbait.”

Atkins – “A squarebill crankbait, a bigger swimbait like a Berkley Cull Shad, and a flipping jig.”

Hamner – “A jerkbait, a crankbait, and a neko worm if the wind would ever lay down a bit.”

 

Q – What are the three ‘loudest’ variables running through your mind going into day one of the Classic tomorrow?

Jocumsen – “Rotation of areas, terms of dealing with other competitors. Managing the wind, in terms of travel time between spots. And then timing, in terms of decision making on when to focus deep versus shallow. Those three are taking up some brain space this week.”

Atkins – “Wind, wind, and wind. Nah, wind is definitely number one, but fishing pressure and getting away from the crowd is another. Lastly is time management. It’s going to be tough to move around the lake tomorrow, so time management will be key.”

Hamner – Number one, the wind. The wind has been difficult for everyone this week. Number two, where I’m going to eat dinner at each night. Number three, has been trying to find good sweet tea. I’m a Milo’s man, usually, and it’s been tough to find.”

 

Q – Pick two anglers you expect to do well and a third who is your pick to win the 2025 Classic. 

Jocumsen – “Lee Livesay and Jordan Lee are two anglers I expect to do well. Then I’m picking myself to win. Always bet on yourself!”

Atkins – “Pat Schlapper is going to win this thing. I’m calling it. Then I’d say Zaldain and Livesay are on the short list to do well. They are locals, after all.”

Hamner – “I’m going to win this thing and go back-to-back. Then I’d pick Lee Livesay for his local advantage and Patty (Patrick) Walters because he always catches them.”

 

Q – What are you going to spend the $20,000 Yamaha Power Pay bonus on if you win it Sunday?

Jocumsen – “Man, that would be nice! I’d take my wife (Kayla) on a holiday. We’d take a trip to the beach, somewhere we haven’t been.”

Atkins – “If I was smart that money would go into a retirement fund, but realistically it would probably go into a deer hunting lease or two… and a new bow and arrow.”

Hamner – “Last year we used our Yamaha money to pay for a trip to Disney World. It was a blast, man, so we’d go back there. A Disney World trip and maybe a new pair of tennis shoes.”