KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Bass fishing is the ultimate individual sport, with competitors’ fortunes resting primarily on their solo decisions on the water. Throughout the history of the sport, however, most great champions have been ably and powerfully supported by wives and girlfriends, and the annual Night of Champions is an opportunity for the fishing world to begin to repay that debt.
“Tonight’s more about the wives,” said emcee Dave Mercer. “They have to get up throughout the years at ungodly hours. They have to deal with the bad attitudes of anglers who didn’t catch them. Tonight is a chance for them to be looked upon as the prom queens that they all are.”
Indeed, many of the wives, both Bassmaster Classic first-timers and youthful veterans of the event, took full advantage of the opportunity to dress up. For one night, sequins replaced metalflake as the signature glitter agent of the bass tournament world.
“We’re always wearing hoodies and sponsor stuff,” said Brittany New, wife of Elite champion Bryan. “It’s nice that on this night not only are we recognized but that we get to dress up.” The News travel as a family, so Brittany is part of the day-in, day-out grind, but not all wives have that luxury or make that choice. Those who remain at home to take care of children or for their professions may have rarer opportunities to celebrate and be celebrated, even if they are no less a part of the partnership. For example, Kelly Card, wife of Brandon, and mother of their 18-month-old son, is an infrequent traveler due to a demanding job, but relishes the opportunity to be present whenever she gets it.
“Here’s the deal,” Card said. “We are equal partners in this, whether it’s at the Classic, a regular season tournament or just at home. This event makes me feel special, but I don’t need an event to make that happen. It’s my life that’s special.”
While the women were the stars of the show, and rightfully so, there were no doubt a few fashionistas at the top of the Elite Series food chain as well.
“I dress him first,” Trait Zaldain said of her husband Chris. “I need to make sure that he looks good, then I’ll find something to complement. I wear very expensive shoes, but his are just as expensive.” On the verge of his eighth Classic, Mrs. Zaldain said that it’s “good to get dressed up and feel pretty because our sport is not that pretty. It’s all about dirt roads, early morning boat ramps and late nights.”
Stetson Blaylock’s wife, Lindsay, referred to it as a “reward.”
“It’s a free date night,” she said. “But it’s more than that. It’s a nice night that’s fishing-based, but not just about a tournament.” She was part of a group of 20 or so wives who got together and went through the “car wash” of hair, makeup and dresses in a single hotel room as part of the communal celebration. “All of us got a new dress or outfit.” Her husband got a new suit as well, but that was a matter of function over fashion. His prior one no longer fit.
Tiffanie Palaniuk was stunning in a gown purchased in an impromptu trip to the mall last week, but noted that nothing else about her life is haphazard. While the AOY title is a repeat, she noted that her husband – reigning Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brandon – was “probably the most diva stylish person in our family.” He wore the same suit that he donned the last time he won the award. What has changed, however, is the fact that they’re married, and now have a daughter – who looked equally dressed up in an Amazon purchase. Daughter Kora, attending her first Classic, was clothed after nap time, and miraculously made it through the entirety of her dad’s speech, which stretched out past the unofficial bedtime.
“She held out for a week and let me fish every day at Pickwick,” Palaniuk said of his daughter’s birth. Today, the Bassmaster family celebrated the sacrifices that their families make, both big and small, and found a way to forget for a moment that the sport’s biggest stage is about to get set up.
“One of the wives here, her life is about to change and she has no idea,” said Natalie Hite, wife of 1999 Classic winner Davy Hite. “It’s the greatest thing that could ever happen to her.”
