Bass fishing is about to get a roster of Hall of Fame muscle. B.A.S.S. and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have unveiled a partnership built around a new celebrity tournament — the Bassmaster Randy Moss Pro Football Hall of Fame Pro-Am — scheduled for Monday, August 31 on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, New York.
The format is simple and made for fans: each Hall of Fame member fishes a one-day event alongside a Bassmaster Elite Series pro. A free fan expo and an afternoon weigh-in will give spectators rare access to football greats and the world's top bass anglers in the same place.
The list of confirmed Hall of Famers is deep — Rondé Barber, Robert Brazile, Cris Carter, Rickey Jackson, Calvin Johnson, Kevin Mawae, Randy Moss, John Randle, Warren Sapp, Joe Thomas and Kellen Winslow.
Moss, a Class of 2018 inductee and a serious angler off the field, is the headline act.
"I am excited to launch this event, uniting Hall of Famers and Elite anglers from Bassmaster for an experience that will create memories on and off the water," Moss said.
According to the Hall, the event came from real interest inside its membership.
"Randy is so passionate about fishing, and he and several other Hall of Famers have expressed interest in being part of an event of this type," said Rich Desrosiers, the Hall's chief communications and content officer. "We look forward to building on this inaugural event with even deeper collaboration in the future to bring more excitement to fans of both sports."
B.A.S.S. sees a natural fit between the two sports. Chief operating officer Phillip Johnson said the parallels — preparation, discipline and grace under pressure — run deeper than they look from the bank.
"This partnership brings together two iconic organizations that represent excellence at the highest level of competition," Johnson said. "Bringing those athletes together on the St. Lawrence River creates an extraordinary opportunity to engage fans, celebrate the outdoors and create memories that will last a lifetime."
He is betting the audiences overlap. "Many Hall of Fame players are passionate anglers, and many of our Elite Series competitors are lifelong football fans," Johnson said. "Whether you're a football fan, a fishing fan or both, this will be a special day on one of the greatest fisheries in the world."
The choice of water carries weight. The St. Lawrence ranks among the premier smallmouth fisheries in the world, a stretch known on the Elite Series for huge bags and tense closing days, and one that has put Clayton and Jefferson County on the map for tournament fishing.
The tie-up extends beyond the tournament itself. B.A.S.S. will appear at the Hall's Enshrinement Festival in Canton from August 5-9, running fan activities and pitching bass fishing to football supporters as the Class of 2026 is celebrated. The strategy is plain: use one passionate fan base to recruit another — and both sides have hinted that a successful debut would lead to more.