NASHVILLE — Country music star Trace Adkins has spent decades entertaining audiences around the world. But on Saturday morning in Tennessee, the roles were reversed, as the longtime outdoorsman found himself a little starstruck by some of the biggest names in professional bass fishing.
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Adkins performed the national anthem before the championship round of World Bass Enterprises’ inaugural The Champions tournament on Old Hickory Lake, where 15 of the world’s top professional bass anglers were competing for a record $1.25 million first-place prize.
And while the country star was impressed by the talent on the water, he told OutKick OutDoors that he particularly appreciated the sport’s willingness to embrace faith and patriotism.
“I’m just thrilled to be here today. Some of the finest anglers on the planet,” Adkins said in an exclusive interview. “And, you know, growing up fishing, it’s like these guys are rock stars, you know? And to get to shake hands with some of them.
“I like that they’re not afraid of God or patriotism. They’re going to pray and have the national anthem before they fish.”
For Adkins, who grew up in Louisiana and has long been an avid outdoorsman, fishing is much more than a passing hobby.
In fact, he’s been celebrating the sport for years.
His 2011 hit “Just Fishin'” tells the story of a father taking his young daughter fishing, capturing the idea that time spent together outdoors is about much more than what’s on the end of the line.
That same year, Adkins opened the lake on his Middle Tennessee property to a group from Big Brothers Big Sisters, giving children and their mentors an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing and other outdoor activities.
And in a 2017 interview with Fox News, the singer joked that he’d found a way to make his fishing trips considerably more productive.
“I don’t go on fishing trips anymore,” he said at the time. “I stocked my own hole full of fish so I don’t fish, I just catch.”
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But even with his own stocked fishing hole, Adkins still appreciates the professionals who have helped turn bass fishing into a major spectator sport.
“Oh yeah, I grew up, there was Roland Martin and Bill Dance on television,” Adkins said. “You know, they were the only two. When you look at it now, I mean, what it’s become, it’s just exciting.”
And the scale of this weekend’s event illustrated just how far the sport has come.
The Champions brought together top competitors from the Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour for a three-day competition featuring a $3.25 million total purse — the largest in professional bass fishing history.
The tournament concluded Saturday with Matt Robertson claiming the $1.25 million grand prize, capping off a historic weekend for professional bass fishing.
The event also featured a team competition between the two circuits, with Bassmaster’s Team Stars winning The Champions Cup on Friday before the remaining 15 anglers advanced to Saturday’s individual championship.
For Adkins, who has enjoyed fishing since childhood, being part of that moment meant getting to celebrate both the sport and the traditions he values.
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OutKick OutDoors is on the ground at Old Hickory Lake, bringing readers exclusive interviews, tournament updates and behind-the-scenes coverage of the richest competition in professional bass fishing.
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