TOURNAMENT FISHING -- Brandon Palaniuk, 24, of Rathdrum, Idaho, had a horrible start among the 50 select anglers who roared off this morning to start the 2012 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River near Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

The weigh-in has just been completed, and Palaniuk is the only angler in the field who caught no fish.  He's in last place after Day 1.  I don't have a report on what happened.

The 30th Bassmaster, a three-day culmination of months of qualifying tournaments, no longer has the distinction of being the richest prize in bass fishing. The Forrest Wood Cup claimed that distinction wtih a $1 million championship prize to Scott Suggs in 2007.

But the Bassmasster Classic is still considered the big stage. A win here can put a half a million bucks in your pocket and bring sponsors to your door.

This is the second consecutive year Palaniuk has qualified for the “Indy 500” of tournament bass fishing.

Palaniuk caught a lot of attention in last year's main event. The youngest competitor in the 2011 classic and the only angler to qualify from the West, he finished in fourth place, winning $30,000.

This year, four anglers from the West are in contention, including Josh Polfer of Nampa, Idaho, and Californians Jared Lintner and Iah Monroe.

Read on for more details on Palaniuk and the ESPN Bassmaster Classic TV coverage, which is being compiled for broadcast next week.

Brandon Palaniuk

Residence: Rathdrum, Idaho
Birth date: 11/3/87
Website: www.bmpfishing.com
Email: brandonpalaniuk13@msn.com
B.A.S.S. events: 10
B.A.S.S. wins: 0
Bassmaster Classic qualifications: 2
Bassmaster Classic best finish: 4th (2011)
B.A.S.S. earnings: $98,805
2011 bassing average: 4.3636

Tournament TV Schedule

All times EST on ESPN2

Sat 3/3/12

10 AM-11 AM Day 1 weigh in

Sun 3/4/12

6 AM-7 AM Day 1 Weigh in (re-air)

7 AM-9 AM Day 2 Weigh in

9:30 PM-11:30 PM Day 3 Weigh in

Sat 3/10/12

5 AM-7 AM Day 2 Weigh in (re-air)

Sun 3/11/12

7 AM-9 AM Day 3 Weigh in (re-air)

Coverage on ESPN Classic

3/12/12

4 PM-5 PM Day 1 Weigh in (re-air)

5 PM-7 PM Day 2 Weigh in (re-air)

7 PM-9 PM Day 3 Weigh in (re-air)