As we count down the days to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, it’s time to pull out some bold predictions for the Classic. Each year the Classic provides unexpected twists and turns that nobody sees coming. On a body of water like the Tennessee River (Fort Loudoun Lake/Tellico Lake) that can be so unpredictable, you can’t help but figure things won’t go exactly as we may expect.
Let’s catch up with the pundits and media members to make some bold predictions for the 2026 Bassmaster Classic!
Mark Zona
It will take 10 pounds or more for the total winning weight of the 2026 Classic compared to any of the other Classics we’ve had in Knoxville. Selfishly, I say this because I want to commentate more fish catches than we have in the past. But, I do hope that the lake actually shows up like all my local buddies that are locals say it will.
With the weather that is setting up right now with the country finally warming, there could be multiple factors that play in this tournament. The change in length limit for smallmouth will also help. I think that Fort Loudoun and Tellico are finally going to show out for the anglers, the fans and us monkeys on the set.
Tommy Sanders
Easton Fothergill will go back-to-back and win the 2026 Classic. Since 2017, four Classics have been a part of a back-to-back situation with Jordan Lee winning in 2017 and 2018, and Hank Cherry winning in 2020 and 2021. Fothergill is as good as anyone at finding big ones offshore with his electronics but has also had the knack for catching a big largemouth in the clutch like he did a year ago at Ray Roberts and two years ago at the Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma) Open.
Dave Mercer
You want a bold prediction? I got a bold prediction. Dylan Nutt is going to win the 2026 Bassmaster Classic. Not only is it his first Bassmaster Classic, not only is he 21 years old, not only did he qualify through the B.A.S.S. Nation but he was the third-place angler to qualify for the Classic so this is statistically about as bold of a prediction as you could possibly come up with.…