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BFHOF Report
BHOF Class of 2022
A group of six individuals that includes those who excelled in tournament bass fishing and whose work in tournament operations helped popularize the sport, plus a noted journalist who promoted conservation in his writing efforts, have been voted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) as part of the class of 2022.
They will be honored when the bass fishing world comes together on October 6 at the Hall’s annual induction ceremonies at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) Museum & Aquarium in Springfield.
Based on voting by the Hall’s 30-member selection panel and current inductees, the 2022 class includes pro angler Tommy Biffle, Major League Fishing executive Kathy Fennel, past B.A.S.S. tournament director Dewey Kendrick, the late pro angler Aaron Martens, journalist Steve Quinn, and the late pro angler and lure designer Lonnie Stanley.
Tommy Biffle has exceeded $3 million in earnings from fishing both B.A.S.S., FLW, and MLF events and is credited with bringing the pitching technique to bass fishing. He is known as one of the best of all-time at flipping and pitching a jig in shallow cover. Biffle currently competes on the MLF Bass Pro Tour and devotes his available free time volunteering at kids fishing derbies and mentoring high school and college anglers.
Instrumental since 1982 with popularizing tournament bass fishing across the U.S. and Canada through her efforts at FLW and now MLF, Kathy Fennel’s influence in bass fishing is known throughout the industry. Her fingerprints are everywhere in tournament fishing operations, including internationally, where over the years she has played a pivotal role in numerous innovations involving live-release techniques, and automated weigh-in procedures. Fennel gives back to the sport by being involved with the BFHOF and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.
Dewey Kendrick served as the tournament director for B.A.S.S. from 1986 until 2002, implementing evolutionary changes within the professional bass fishing scene. From adding pro-am formats and pushing for unconventional and urban locations to bringing tournament bass fishing beyond its southern roots, Kendrick advocated for conservation-minded tournament changes including a five-bass limit and the rule that all sight fish must be hooked in the mouth. Kendrick was known as a strict rule enforcer with a tremendous work ethic.
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By Al McGuckin
Kevin VanDam
If you want to know what’s made Kevin VanDam the most dominant professional bass angler of the past thirty years, the decal on the rear window of his Toyota Tundra’s truck cap provides profound insight.
Like most hall of famers, greatness is anchored in their heads and hearts. VanDam is no exception. And the “It’s the all about the attitude” decal is glaring proof.
“My wife Sherry has said positive things like “I know you can do it” to me thousands of times in my career, and so our “It’s all about the attitude” slogan is just a derivative of that positive mental mindset,” he explains.
“You can say it, but if you don’t believe it in your heart, it ain’t gonna happen,” says VanDam.
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BFHOF Report
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) has announced financial grants $12,000 to three organizations whose efforts will greatly benefit the sport.
Fishing’s Future, Friends of Reservoirs Foundation, and the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance will each receive a $4,000 grant to assist with their 2022 projects.