You don’t necessarily think of B.A.S.S. when thinking of David Dudley, but today’s historical photo covers just that topic. Dudley got his start in professional bass fishing on the Bassmaster Eastern Invitational Trail in 1994/95 at the age of 19. During that season he cashed a check in each event garnering a 3rd-, 15th-, 17th-, and 22nd-place finishes along with finishing in first place in the division, which qualified him for the 1995/96 Top 100 Trail
Over the course of time, Dudley fished 69 B.A.S.S. events. In those events he finished in the money 35 times, won two events, placed 2nd once, had three 3rd-place finishes, nine top-10s, 15 top-20s and 26 top-30s and qualified for one Classic (1995).
As it turns out, this is where today’s historical picture comes from. His profile in the 1995 Bass Masters Classic, Press Guide/Souvenir Program.
Taking a close look at his profile picture in the 1995 Classic Guide, you see a scarcity of sponsor patches that included a B.A.S.S. patch, Angler’s Choice Marine, Ranger Boats, Johnson Outboards, and Team Jesus patch and hat.
It turns out that 1995 was also the year he won his first B.A.S.S. event, the Virginia Bassmaster Top 100 on the James River. In that event a 20-year-old Dudley outdistanced his nearest competitor, Darrel Wilbanks, by nearly five pounds. For the win, he pocketed $24,000 in cash and another $21,000 in merchandise (boat).
Dudley’s next Bassmaster win wouldn’t be until 2004, when he won the Smith Mountain Northern Open that was also held out of Virginia. In that event he pocketed another $48,350 in cash and merchandise.
Through his time with B.A.S.S., Dudley weighed over 1600 pounds of fish and had a total winnings of $283,805. His last events with the organization were listed as the three Northern Opens in 2017.
