BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. tournament officials today announced former Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic champions Randy Howell and Cliff Pace will rejoin the ranks of Elite anglers in 2025 via Legends invitations. Two Legends spots opened with the retirement of Rick Clunn and the fact that all current Elite anglers with Legends eligibility requalified via Elite Series requalification criteria.
“We are excited to welcome back two legends to the Bassmaster Elites,” said Lisa Talmadge, tournament director for the Elite Series. “We can’t wait to see the incredible moments they’ll bring. Here’s to celebrating their legacy and the excitement of what’s to come.”
Howell’s career has spanned four decades, and he has amassed more than $1.9 million in earnings, four wins including the 2014 Bassmaster Classic and posted 37 Top 10 finishes and 125 Top 30 finishes while finishing in the money 173 times.
“It’s really great to have the opportunity to come back and continue my journey with B.A.S.S. again at 51 years old,” the Guntersville, Ala., angler said. “I fished a lot of years with B.A.S.S., and winning the Classic changed my life and helped make a great career for me. I am definitely looking forward to getting back to weighing in on the Bassmaster stage as well as the Classic stage, hopefully.
“I’ve worked every Classic the past few years I’ve been away and sat and watched every Classic winner and it always makes me emotional,” Howell added. “This past year I sat and watched Justin Hamner win it. I know the difference it makes in an angler’s career and what a big deal it was for him, and I thought, ‘I’ve got to get back and win another Classic.’ And that’s my goal now: to win a second one.”
Howell said his son, Laker, fished the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN to try to earn his way to the 2025 Elite Series.
“For Laker to get to the Elites and for us to have a chance to fish a Classic together … that would be a dream come true,” Howell said.
Pace has totaled more than $1.6 million while recording three wins including the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. The Ovett, Miss., angler has also notched 29 Top 10 finishes and finished in the money 105 times in 155 total tournaments.
Pace fished the 2024 Bassmaster Opens in an attempt to qualify for the 2025 Elite Series. However, he said he is thankful for the opportunity to rejoin the circuit as a Legends qualifier.
“I would have loved to do it on my own merit, but I’m thankful to get in with the exemption,” Pace said. “I’m really happy to be coming back. There are a lot of things about the Elites I missed. B.A.S.S. is the organization I’ve loved fishing with, and growing up all my heroes fished with B.A.S.S., and it’s just where I want to be. There are a lot of trails that offer anglers a chance to compete, but I feel B.A.S.S. has the best platform.
“All my friends on social media said I’m right back where I belong,” Pace added. “I’m excited to be back and I’m ready to get started. I’m looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds.”
Anglers earn one Legends point for each Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic victory and one point for each Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. According to Elite Series rules, up to two Legends qualifiers can be added to the Elite field per season. Although other former Elite Series pros inquired about the Legends exemption, Howell and Pace received their Legends invitations based upon having one Legends point, fishing the Bassmaster Opens and having the most career B.A.S.S. events fished. No spots are being cut from the 2025 Elite field to make room for the Legends qualifiers.
