Bass Fishing HOF ballot features 12 nominees

World championship and exemplary pro anglers, legendary boat and tackle manufacturers, and all-around trailblazers of the sport form the diverse lineup comprising the 2026 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame ballot.

Twelve people who have made a lasting and meaningful impact on the sport bass fishing have reached the final doorstep of enshrinement into the Hall of Fame with the ballot announcement.

• Terry Brown – Media – Normal, Ill.
• Edwin Evers – Angler – Talala, Okla.
• Don Iovino – Angler – Burbank, Calif.
• Pam Martin-Wells – Angler – Bainbridge, Ga.
• Andy Morgan – Angler – Dayton, Tenn.
• John Murray – Angler – Spring City, Tenn.
• Takahiro Omori – Angler – Tokyo, Japan
• Rick Pierce – Industry – Mountain Home, Ark.
• Lynn Reeves – Industry – Ozark, Mo.
• Hal Schramm – Educator – Counce, Tenn.
• Clark Wendlandt – Angler – Leander, Texas
• Mike Whitaker – Industry – Gilbertsville, Ky.

“These folks have spent most of their lives contributing to the lifestyle and sport of bass fishing,” said Bruce Stanton, President of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame   Board of Directors. “It is a high honor just to be nominated to the final ballot. And a few of these individuals will be immortalized forever in our hall in Springfield, Missouri.”

The 10-person Nominations Committee, comprised of members of the Hall’s Board of Directors, selected the final ballot from the organization’s master list of eligible candidates, identifying top nominees based on committee input and prior ballot consideration, with those selections reviewed collectively to shape a final ballot reflecting both sustained recognition and new consideration.

“We refined our selection process to consider top vote getters from previous ballots while considering new nominees,” said Craig Lamb, chair of the Board’s nominations committee and a 2025 Hall inductee. “The 2026 ballot represents our best effort to honor the worthiest individuals who also support our mission to celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing.”

The slate of nominees will be considered and voted on by the 30-member Hall of Fame Selection Panel and the 50 living members of the Hall. Each voter will choose five names and rank them in order of preference with the top choice receiving five (5) points, second receiving four (4) points, and so on. Voting will conclude on Feb. 13. 

The Class of 2026 will be announced in March. The inductees will be honored during “Celebrate Bass Fishing Week” when the Hall of Fame holds its annual induction ceremony and banquet on Sept. 24, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo.

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