Bill Lowen has qualified for the Bassmaster Classic 11 times, but has failed to make it the past two years. His best Classic finish was in 2016 at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, when he was 4th. The 2024 Classic will be back at Grand Lake.
Lowen, 48, from Brookville, Ind., came into the 2023 Elite Season finale at the St. Lawrence River ranked 46th in Angler of the Year points, outside the qualifying mark of 41st. Lowen’s first two days here have put him inside the mark. He began Day 3 in 6th place with 48-14. However, that Classic berth isn’t assured until Lowen finishes the job today.
“I’ve missed the Classic the last two years, and normally that’s not my style,” he said. “I’m usually in it. I want to get back in it so bad. I dug myself a hole. I knew coming in here I needed a top 30 finish.”
All the other leaders in this tournament have caught most of their fish in Lake Ontario. Lowen, known for his strength in fishing rivers and in shallow water, has caught all his fish in the St. Lawrence River.
“All my weight has come out of the river,” he said. “Predominantly, my pattern has been really shallow, fishing in less than six feet. It’s fun to go fish the way you like to fish.”
AOY points are awarded only when each angler’s tournament is complete. As Lowen knew coming into this event, he needs a top 30 finish to qualify for the Classic. He’s in great shape going into Day 3, but if he suffered a disaster today and fell down to 40th place, for example, he could be outside the Classic cut. It doesn’t take much of a slip here to tumble down the standings. After Day 2 there’s a difference of only 4 pounds, 10 ounces between 6th place and 40th place.
“I’ve just got to go out and catch another decent bag, which is not easy to do,” Lowen said.
