Laidback Hamner Brings in Big Bag, Grabs First-day Lead at Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake

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Published: 23 March 2024

Day one leader Justin Hamner

Alabama's Justin Hamner has taken the lead on Day 1 of the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees with a total of 22 pounds, 6 ounces. Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S

TULSA, Okla. — “I’m leading the Bassmaster Classic,” said Justin Hamner, sounding as much like he was asking a question as making a statement.

But it was 100% true.

The young pro from Northport, Ala., weighed in 22 pounds, 6 ounces Friday to take the Day 1 lead at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors. The fourth-year member of the Bassmaster Elite Series found a pattern on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees that placed him just over a pound ahead of Missouri pro Cody Huff and continued the flow of what has been a dream 2024 season.

“This whole year has just been so much fun,” said Hamner, who opened his Elite Series season with a 14th-place finish at Toledo Bend and a third-place showing at Lake Fork last month. “I’ve just been fishing free and doing what I want to do with no stress. I’m just going back to my roots and bass fishing knowing it’s my only job for the first time ever.

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New Indiana Record Smallmouth Caught Angler by Surprise

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Published: 12 March 2024

By Louie Stout

Rex Remington of Freeland, Ind. with new Indiana record smallmouth bass

It’s official. Indiana has a new smallmouth bass record.

Rex Remington of Freeland, Ind. caught the 8.23-pound smallmouth from Lake Monroe on March 5. The fish measured 23 inches and had a 17½-inch girth.

No one was more surprised than the 60-year-old angler who lives 30 minutes from the lake. He thought the big fish he hooked was a largemouth until he got it into the bottom of his 2004 Skeeter bass boat.

Remington was fishing a Berkley Stunna jerkbait on a rocky bank near a channel swing around 11 a.m. when the bass hit. His boat was sitting in about 10 feet of water and he was casting at a 45-degree angle.

“I caught a small largemouth, lost one and caught one about 4 pounds there,” says Remington, who has fished Monroe for 30 years. “So I knew I was in a good area.”

With the water temperature hovering at 45 degrees, he was working the jerkbait slowly; two twitches and a long pause.

When he tried twitching again, the bait didn’t move. He jerked his St. Croix rod and the battle was on. He fished with an “old” Quantum reel and 12-pound Seaguar InvizX line.

“I knew it was a big fish but had no idea it was a smallmouth,” recalls Remington, who has a few caught nice smallmouth from the lake. “He bulldogged pretty good and ran my drag, but I eventually got the fish into the net.”

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