B.A.S.S. News Archives       |
 Breaking Through Heavy CoverBy Michael Iaconelli
 The drought and heat continues across much of the United States. As a consequence vegetation is thick and water levels low. Most anglers believe that pushes bass out, into
deep water. It does - sometimes with some of them. But other will hold shallow, taking refuge under the thick canopies of vegetation that form over shallow water.
According to BASS Elite Series pro Michael Iaconelli, the best way to reach those shallow fish is to punch through the vegetation at its thickest point. He recommends going right to the middle of it.
"Most anglers have already fished the edges and obvious holes. You need to go right to the middle of that stuff; the thicker and nastier, the better. There's bass under there and they haven't seen any lures. You need to change that."
This type of fishing isn't for sissies. Heavy tackle and hard work is the norm. Ike recommends starting with a one-ounce tungsten weight, a heavy flipping stick and 65-pound-test braid line.
"This is a reaction bite. Don't worry about them seeing your line or being afraid of it. The idea is to drop something on their nose without giving them time to think," he says. (That said, he does admit to occasionally running a black marker over the first few inches of his line - just to make sure.)
"Throw your sinker as high as necessary to force it through the mess. Sometimes that might be several feet up in the air. Do what you have to do to get the bait through the vegetation at its thickest point."
With the weather and water conditions what they are, this tactic might work later into the fall than usual. Give it a try.
Content provided by Fish Harder Companies
Greenville, S.C., to Host 2008 Bassmaster Classic ‘Palmetto State’ Site of Fishing’s Most Prestigious Event for 2nd Time; Visit Marks First Classic for Greenville
Recently named as one of Southern Living’s three favorite cities, Greenville, S.C., will host the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 22-24, in its downtown region. This marks the second time that bass fishing’s premier event will be staged in South Carolina, with the first held in 1973 in McCormick on Clarks Hill Lake, site of a 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series event.
In February, Classic competitors will fish on 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell, site of three previous BASS tournaments. The fishery, which features 962 miles of shoreline, gave up a winning three-day tournament weight of 42 pounds, 13 ounces to Georgia’s Tony Couch in a 1998 Bassmaster Invitational. Bassmaster Elite Series angler Gerald Swindle of Alabama finished second in that event by a mere 6 ounces
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“The City of Greenville is excited to be chosen as the official host city for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic,” said Knox White, mayor of Greenville. “We look forward to kicking off the festivities and welcoming professional anglers, industry leaders and bass fishing enthusiasts to Greenville's vibrant community. This unique tournament is the first of its kind for Greenville and will draw considerable attendance and publicity for our beautiful region.”
ESPN2 will devote 13 hours of programming to the Classic through the three-day event, including morning shows on the weekend and same-day coverage of the entire tournament. Additionally, www.espnoutdoors.com will provide live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins along with analysis and image galleries.
Fans will be treated to additional Classic coverage in anticipation of the 2008 Classic, with 4½ hours of Bassmaster Classic yearbook shows airing Feb. 18-22 on ESPN2.
“We are excited to bring the most prestigious event in bass fishing to South Carolina for a second time,” said Tom Ricks, general manager of BASS. “The location allows us to cater to our tremendous membership base in the area, and those who can’t attend the event will be treated to abundant coverage on ESPN2.”
Ricks said BASS has more than 11,000 members in South Carolina. There are nearly 210,000 members within a 500-mile radius of Greenville, including those involved in South Carolina’s growing BASS Federation Nation.
The Bassmaster Classic’s field of 50 anglers will compete for a total prize purse of nearly $1.2 million, including a top prize of $500,000. Anglers have the opportunity to practice Feb. 12-14, 2008, but the tournament waters will be off-limits to them at all other times beginning Dec. 15. The final practice is scheduled for Feb. 20. While all anglers will fish on Days 1 and 2, only the top 25 will fish on the final day.
Weigh-ins of the event will be held at the Bi-Lo Arena in the heart of Greenville, which features a one-of-a-kind award winning suspension bridge and two waterfalls. Daily launches will be held at Portman Marina.
The ESPN Outdoors Classic Expo, a fan favorite of Classic week, will be held Friday-Sunday of Classic week at the Carolina First Center and admission to the expo and weigh-in is free. The Expo is three miles from the weigh-in venue.
Festivities also include the second annual Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship featuring the top 12 anglers from the 2007 Toyota Women’s Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. The tournament will be held on nearby Lake Keowee, an 18,500-acre reservoir that boasts 300 miles of shoreline. Keowee also will serve as the home of the Junior Bassmaster World Championship, which pits the top youth anglers against each other during Classic week.
The following anglers will qualify for the Bassmaster Classic: The top 37 in Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings; the top three anglers in the standings from the Bassmaster Central and Southern Opens; The top six anglers in their respective divisions from the BASS Federation Nation National Championship; and the winner of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship Operated by the American Bass Anglers.
“This is a tremendous opportunity that promotes our destination and showcases our extraordinary upstate region,” said Chris Stone, president of the Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are pleased that BASS and ESPN have chosen Greenville to host their ‘super bowl of bass fishing’ and look forward to a remarkable event.”
To download related photos of the Bassmaster Classic, click here.
Sponsors of the event include Toyota Tundra, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Purolator, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance Electronics and MotorGuide.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the Bassmaster Classic should call BASS at 1-877-BASS-USA.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry’s widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
The local organizers of the event include Greenville, S.C., and the Upstate region which are proud to host the 2008 Bassmaster Classic. A partnership between Southern Hospitality Group Event Management (SHGEM), the Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau (GCVB) and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) has made this possible. The host venues for this spectacular event will be the Carolina First Center, the BI-LO Center, Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee.  Boyd Duckett Wins 2007 Bassmaster Classic
ALABAMA’S STEVE KENNEDY WINS BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES “GOLDEN STATE SHOOTOUT”; SHATTERS BASS RECORD FOR HEAVIEST TOURNAMENT WEIGHT Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif. Posts Record-Breaking Weight but Finishes Second
LAKEPORT, Calif. – In a record-setting performance on the Bassmaster Elite Series circuit, Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., bested Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., by more than five pounds at the “Golden State Shootout presented by Evan Williams Bourbon” on California’s Clear Lake.
The BASS record for the heaviest four-day catch had stood for just less than one year before the 37 year-old Kennedy demolished it after catching 122 pounds, 14 ounces of bass for his four-day total. Preston Clark of Palatka, Fla., set the weight record in April of 2006 at an Elite Series event on South Carolina’s Santee Cooper Reservoir.
2007 CastingKids Titles Decided Sierra Voisin (maybe a future WBT angler?) wins 6-10 age group
In the 7-10 age group, eight-year-old Sierra Voisin, from Teeswater, Ontario, Canada, emerged the winner. Thirteen-year-old Nicholas Neidige from Seymour, Ind., took the honors in the 11-14 group. Both winners were awarded $5,000 academic scholarships, with the runner–ups receiving $2,000 scholarships.
CLASSIC ESPN OUTDOORS EXPO A CURE FOR CABIN FEVERFishing Fans to Get Look at New Fishing Equipment for 2007 in Birmingham
For anglers experiencing a bout of cabin fever due to cold temperatures, the 2007 Classic ESPN Outdoors Expo presented by Under Armour held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham, Ala., promises to provide a cure.
The three-day Expo will be held in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Feb. 23-25, and is an opportunity for anglers to get their first look at new or improved fishing equipment. The Expo will also feature a number of other consumer booths offering visitors interactive elements.
For fishing fans that travel to the Classic each year, the annual Outdoor Expo is always one of the highlights of Classic week. The giant product and activities festival attracts 34,000 to 50,000 visitors each year.
“The Expo will let fans get up-close and personal with professional anglers and the products they use,” said Eric Lopez, BASS director of event operations. “They’re going to be able to learn more about the anglers and get autographs.
“We’re making available to the consumers the newest products that will later be in tackle stores and boat dealerships across the country. Fans will get a feel for what the Classic pros are actually doing — how they’re fishing. They watched them fish on ESPN2 and now they can learn more about what they’re doing through the Expo.”
While the 50 Classic contenders are out on Lay Lake competing for the $500,000 top prize and the most important title in competitive fishing, thousands of fishing fans will be scouring the aisles of the Expo in search of bargains and products that can enhance their angling experience.
Virtually all of the major lure manufacturers and rod-and-reel companies will be in attendance. And major boat, outboard and electronics companies will be displaying their latest technology.
With its nearly 210,000 square feet featuring more than 120 exhibitors, the Expo will provide plenty for everyone in the family to do and enjoy. There will be a CastingKids area and an interactive area for youth.
Exhibits from Toyota Tundra, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Purolator, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance and MotorGuide will be present at the Expo.
One of the most exciting interactive exhibits will be provided by Toyota, which will introduce fishing fans to the all-new 2007 Tundra Double Cab pickup (introduced at the recent North American International Auto Show).
Toyota will feature the Prove It tour which will allow participants to operate the new line of Tundras on an off-road course located blocks from the venue. Fishing fans can sign up in front of the convention center and drive the vehicle to the off-road course and experience the Tundra’s full off-road capabilities.
Both the Expo and daily Bassmaster Classic weigh-ins will be held in the Birmingham Jefferson Convention-Complex, allowing attendees to easily move from one venue to the other. Admission is free for both.
And while fans are shopping at the Expo, they will be able to follow their favorite Classic pros through a live leaderboard that will keep them up to date on how well each contender is doing while out on-the-water.
Show hours:
Friday, Feb. 23 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday, Feb. 24 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday, Feb. 25 10 am – 7 pm
The 2007 Bassmaster Classic will be hosted by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. The tournament will receive 11 1/2 hours of television coverage on ESPN2.
Jan. 26, 2007CELEBRATION, Fla. – ESPN today introduced Tom Ricks, a veteran of the fishing and consumer products industry, as general manager of BASS, effective Feb. 12.
 Ricks has most recently been general manager and global marketing director for Pure Fishing, a worldwide leader in fishing products servicing 120 countries. Ricks will report to Steve Anderson, Executive Vice-President of Production & Technical Operations for ESPN.
“We've spent six months in search of the best candidate to manage BASS and we found that person in Tom Ricks,” said Anderson. "He brings the right mixture of fishing industry experience, familiarity with BASS constituencies and a strong track record of results to the role."
Ricks, who graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Finance, will relocate from his current home in Okoboji, Iowa, to work at BASS headquarters in Celebration, Fla.
“I am excited about the challenge of aligning the interests of members, anglers, sponsors and fans, so that BASS continues its leadership position in the world of bass fishing,” said Ricks. “At its core BASS defines a passion that anglers have for the sport. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help drive that passion within competitive bass fishing.”
While with Pure Fishing, Ricks directed global marketing operations and new product development for the organization’s rod, reel and combination products, providing overall management and marketing mix for key brands such as Abu Garcia, Fenwick and Berkley. He also drove sourcing strategy efforts targeting global leverage and developed brand strategy
BASSMASTER CLASSIC RETURNS TO HISTORY-RICH ALABAMALay Lake to Host Championship in State Where BASS was Founded
CELEBRATION, Fla. — When the 37th annual Bassmaster Classic unfolds on Lay Lake Feb. 23-25, it will be familiar waters for some of the highly accomplished tournament field.
In fact, 18 of the 50 Classic contenders for 2007 fished the world championship event when it was staged on Lay in either 1996 or 2002. So they will certainly know their way around the lake — strategically and navigation-wise.
But it will be a different Lay Lake than the one they experienced during those two previous Classics. That’s because the upcoming Classic will be only the second time bass fishing’s most major event has been held in the late winter/early spring months
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“I think it could be a real good tournament, but it will be a lot different than it was in those summertime Classics,” said Russ Lane of Prattville, Ala., whose experience and tournament success on Lay Lake makes him one of the pre-Classic favorites. “It really depends on the weather, but either the spotted bass or the largemouth should be biting.”
Lay Lake is an impoundment of the Coosa River located about 40 miles from Birmingham. With more than 250 miles of shoreline and 12,000 acres, Lay is home to a sizeable population of both largemouth and spotted bass. The reservoir was impounded in 1914 and is 48 miles in length.
This edition of the premier event will mark the sixth time the Classic has been staged in Birmingham, Ala., and the 10th time it has been held in the state of Alabama.
Gerald Swindle, the 2004 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, was excited when he first found out that Classic XXXVII would be coming to Lay Lake.
“I think it could be a fabulous tournament, especially for big spotted bass,” the Hayden, Ala., pro said. “The thing that makes those Coosa River lakes good is no matter how cold it gets, they bite.
“The guys won’t be able to get on the Classic stage and blame the cold for not being able to catch them. When it gets cold here, they still bite. The fishing could just be wide open.”
Fellow Alabama pro and Classic contender Tim Horton agrees, “Lay Lake is going to be a good site for the Classic. You can catch fish a variety of different ways. It’s going to be exciting.”
In this Classic, the contenders will have to make an initial strategic decision of whether to target the heavier largemouth or the more plentiful spotted bass. Lane believes an angler will need to catch a combination of species to make a run at the most important title in competitive fishing and the $500,000 grand prize.
“I would say the angler that wins probably is going to have 80 percent spots in their bag,” Lane said. “If a guy could catch 17 pounds a day of spots and then go catch a keeper largemouth, they’re going to be hard to beat.”
The consensus among the eight Alabama anglers in the Classic field is that the spotted bass are most likely to be caught on large spinnerbaits, heavy jigs and finesse-type soft-plastics in fairly deep water, while flipping-type plastics will produce largemouth in shallower conditions.
The fishery went off-limits to Classic qualifiers on Dec. 1 and will not re-open until the official pre-fish days Feb. 13, 14 and 15. Lay Lake will then be off-limits until the official practice day for the Classic on Feb. 21.
The exciting Bassmaster Classic weigh-in show and the ESPN Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Under Armour will take place in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center.
The 2007 Bassmaster Classic will be hosted by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. The tournament will receive 11 1/2 hours of television coverage on ESPN2.
Sponsors of the event include Toyota Tundra, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Purolator, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lo
THE FISHIN’ HOLE PRESENTED BY STIHL AND FAMED HOST JERRY MCKINNIS TO CONCLUDE LEGENDARY RUN After a 44-year stretch that has seen The Fishin’ Hole presented by Stihl visit extraordinary locations such as Zimbabwe and the Kola Peninsula in Russia with luminaries such as NCAA Basketball coach Bob Knight and MLB Hall of Famer Ted Williams, the show and its affable host, Jerry McKinnis, will entertain viewers with its final season of programming in 2007.
New episodes of The Fishin’ Hole currently air on ESPN2 Saturdays at 7 a.m. ET., through the end of March. McKinnis’ retirement will mark the end of a partnership of more than 20 years between ESPN and the famous outdoorsman.
A destination for outdoors enthusiasts, The Fishin’ Hole has enjoyed a longer run on television than Gunsmoke (20 years), Dallas (13 years) and both Cheers and M*A*S*H (11 years).
“There isn’t a show out there that can boast the longevity and continuity that we have had,” the 69-year-old McKinnis said. “I am so proud of every episode that we have produced.”
The program joined ESPN in 1980 and moved to ESPN2 in 2001. In that time, the ESPN networks have aired more than 300 original episodes of the groundbreaking show. The Fishin’ Hole is the second-longest running show on ESPN behind SportsCenter.
“I’m overwhelmingly proud that Jerry and The Fishin’ Hole have been a part of the ESPN family for so long,” said Steve Anderson, ESPN executive vice president of programming and technical operations.
McKinnis was just 25 years old when he first began filming The Fishin’ Hole. He was working as a fishing guide on Arkansas’ Lake Maumelle and wanted to supplement his guide income with an outdoors television show.
It wasn’t until 1980 that then-fledgling cable network ESPN and McKinnis agreed to the landmark partnership.
While McKinnis has enjoyed a number of high-profile trips to exotic locations including Australia and Africa, the Little Rock, Ark., resident says that the simple trips- often with local guides on small bodies of water- are the memories that he treasures most.
McKinnis’ favorite episode occurred in the early 1990s when he visited Russia and the Kola Peninsula with both Williams and Knight. The trio enjoyed optimum fishing conditions and caught a number of Atlantic salmon during the two-week trip.
“I personally have never had a better friend than Jerry McKinnis,” said Bobby Knight , Texas Tech University men’s basketball coach and three-time NCAA basketball champion. “Jerry’s attention to detail was what made the The Fishin’ Hole tremendously successful and so well received by countless viewers for so many years.”
ESPN2 UNVEILS 2007 OUTDOORS PROGRAMMING Lineup Includes Final Season of The Fishin’ Hole presented by Stihl
CELEBRATION, Fla. – ESPN Outdoors will continue to bring the latest when-to, where-to and how-to information and entertainment to its viewers, helping them become better anglers and hunters in 2007 with groundbreaking and exciting shows on ESPN2.
ESPN2 will also be the home for 2007 Bassmaster Classic coverage in late February as the network will provide fishing fans with 11 ½ hours of coverage from bass fishing’s most-major event.
The ESPN Outdoors show lineup includes in-depth coverage of the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament trail, new episodes of fan-favorite shows, brand new shows and a final farewell to the second-longest running show on ESPN- The Fishin’ Hole presented by Stihl.
“Our programming lineup will both entertain and inform viewers in 2007,” said Todd Myers, director of programming for ESPN Outdoors. “ESPN2 will continue to be the home for fantastic outdoors programming.”
Saturdays are anchored by the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, a one-hour show following each of the 11 Bassmaster Elite Series and three Bassmaster Majors tournaments. New in 2007 is The World’s Greatest Fishing Show! where ESPN Outdoors television personality Mark Zona will serve as host and bring the excitement, fun and sheer energy of recreational fishing to fans.
There are also brand new Beat Charlie Moore episodes, where Moore invites local anglers to try and beat him on their home bodies of water and another season of Ocean Hunter, where the crew explores breath-hold spearfishing while diving as deep as 100 feet into water to fish without breathing apparatuses.
Viewers will also have a chance to bid farewell to The Fishin’ Hole presented by Stihl, which has been on for 25 years. Show host Jerry McKinnis is retiring, but not before sharing one more season of his on-the-water experiences and memorable stories.
On Sundays, ESPN Outdoors will integrate motorsports to the lineup with the show Driven to Hunt, a 30-minute weekly program that follows NASCAR's top drivers, owners and crew chiefs into the field for challenging adventures with television’s top hunting hosts: Bill Jordan, David Blanton and Michael Waddell of Realtree Outdoors.
Also from Team Realtree, the top-rated and one of the longest running outdoors programs on cable television, Realtree Outdoors, is back in 2007. The new season is packed with unbelievable hunting action, tips and product information from the Realtree pros.
Host Tom Miranda is back with another season of Advantage Adventures. Miranda goes toe-to-toe with some of the world’s most dangerous animals. An expert bow-hunter, Miranda offers viewers some of the most exhilarating hunting experiences.
Get Wild! With Cindy Garrison joins Miranda in the 2007 lineup with 12 original episodes. But this season, Garrison is putting down her rifle and going saltwater fishing where she will explore the indigenous cultures and eat exotic delicacies at the extraordinary places she visits.
Finally, Mad Fin Shark Series is back in 2007 with six original episodes from Key West, Fla. Mad Fin will once again serve as a one-of-a-kind, popular show and highlight the most aggressive fighters in the water. Teams of anglers compete in the catch-and-release shark tournament.
ESPN Outdoors programming ratings continue to rise. In 2006, the weekend shows made 240,000 household impressions or 14 percent more than the 210,000 in 2005.
Complete ESPN Outdoors programming aired on ESPN2 can also be found on www.ESPNOutdoors.com.
Dec. 31, 2006 – March 31, 2007 Saturdays
The Fishin’ Hole presented by Stihl 7 – 7:25 a.m. ET
A Day on the Lake presented by Mercury 7:30 – 7:55
Advantage Adventures 8 – 8:25
Realtree Outdoors 8:30 – 8:55
Bassmaster Tournament Trail 9 – 10
Dec. 31, 2006 – March 31, 2007 Sundays
Big Game Fishing the World 7 - 7:25 a.m. ET
Xtreme Billfishing Release League 7:30 – 7:55
Spanish Fly 8 – 8:25
George Poveromo’s World of
Saltwater Fishing 8:30 – 8:55
Offshore Adventures 9 – 9:25
Get Wild! With Cindy Garrison 9:30 – 9:55
April 1-June 30 Saturdays
The Fishin’ Hole presented by Stihl 7 – 7:25 a.m. ET
BASS Insider 7:30 – 7:55
Beat Charlie Moore 8 – 8:25
Get Wild! with Cindy Garrison 8:30 – 8:55
Bassmaster Tournament Trail 9 – 10
April 1 – June 30 Sundays
Red Fish Cup 7 - 7:55 a.m. ET
Wanna Go Fishing? 8 - 8:25
Spanish Fly 8:30 - 8:55
Offshore Adventures 9 – 9:25
Mad Fin Shark Series 9:30 – 10
July 1 –Sept. 29 Saturdays
Record Hunters: Search for the 7 – 7:25 a.m. ET
record Peacock Bass
World’s Greatest Fishing Show! 7:30 – 7:55
Ocean Hunter 8 – 8:25
Mad Fin Shark Series 8:30 - 8:55
Bassmaster Tournament Trail 9 – 10
July 1 –Sept. 29 Sundays
Driven to Hunt 7 – 7:25 a.m. ET
Under Wild Skies Africa 7:30 – 7:55
Whitetail Country 8 – 8:25
Advantage Adventures 8:30 – 8:55
Realtree Outdoors 9 – 9:25
Driven to Hunt 9:30 – 9:55
Sept. 30 -Dec. 29 Saturdays
Rods & Wheels 7 – 7:25 a.m. ET
World’s Greatest Fishing Show! 7:30 – 7:55
Beat Charlie Moore 8 – 8:25
Offshore Adventures 8:30 – 8:55
Bassmaster Tournament Trail 9 – 10
Sept. 30 – Dec. 29 Sundays
Driven to Hunt 7 – 7:25
Under Wild Skies Africa 7:30 – 7:55
Whitetail Country 8 – 8:25
Advantage Adventures 8:30 – 8:55
Realtree Outdoors 9 – 9:25
Driven to Hunt 9:30 – 9:55
Since its inception in 1980, ESPN Outdoors has strived to inform and entertain anglers, hunters, campers and people of all ages who enjoy the outdoors. ESPN Outdoors is committed to increasing awareness of, and participation in outdoor activities, a direction best exemplified by television programming on ESPN and ESPN2.
Each year, ESPN Outdoors stages marquee events including the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. ESPN Outdoors comprises BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing that sanctions more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation. ESPN Outdoors also features Bassmaster.com, ESPNOutdoors.com, programming on ESPN2 as well as a growing array of promotions and activities that deliver a clear message of conservation and ethical sportsmanship.
10 Things You May Not Know About Takahiro OmoriHere are 10 things fishing fans might not know about 2004 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Takahiro Omori:
10. When he is at home between tournaments, T.O. likes being a couch potato. “I like to rest at home,” said the Japanese pro who resides in Emory, Texas, on the shores of Lake Fork. “I also like to spend time with my friends.”
9. When he first came to the United States, Omori traveled to tournaments in a small rental car. “I spent 40 days and nights in a rental car,” he recalled. “I only stayed in a motel for two days to save some money.”
8. He owns a full-sized swimming pool, but has never gone swimming in it. The $25,000 pool, which features a 1-inch stripe down the middle of it, is used exclusively for testing and tuning lures. It ranges in depth from 4 to 8 feet.
7. Although Omori’s reading consists almost entirely of fishing magazines, including Bassmaster Magazine, he is a fan of Formula One racing, as well as tennis, golf and baseball.
6. His best personality trait: “I am very honest. If I say it’s good, it’s good. If I say it’s junk, it’s junk.”
5. His worst trait: “Not having enough time to take care of and develop a relationship with a woman.” Because the 36-year-old lives, breathes and sleeps fishing, T.O. says he has no time for a relationship.
4. Omori has attended Rick Clunn’s Advanced Angling & Outdoor Awareness School, which is held on the four-time Bassmaster Classic champion’s Missouri farm. Attendees camp out and learn methods of reawakening their intuitive abilities and get in tune with nature.
3. In 2004, Omori took the unusual step of traveling to Alabama to practice for three days with Clunn in preparation for a Bassmaster Elite 50 tournament on the Alabama River. He turned down his idol’s invitation to fish during the practice period, saying he wanted to watch and learn from Clunn. “That’s one of the things I admire about Takahiro — he doesn’t let his ego get in the way of learning,” Clunn said. “In our sport, anglers are afraid to learn from other anglers, particularly well-known anglers. And I don’t understand that because even Tiger Woods has a coach. As good as he is he still feels he can learn from a coach. Fortunately for Takahiro, that’s not a problem for him. He’s not afraid to learn.”
2. Omori took English courses at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and today speaks the language fluently.
1. Takahiro’s parents did not want him to come to the U.S. to pursue a career in fishing. His decision caused a rift between them. That was all forgotten when his parents traveled from Tokyo to attend the 2001 Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta in New Orleans, La. “They came here for the Classic and had a great time,” he said. “They got to see me in the Classic.” Sadly, his father passed away soon after returning to Japan and never got to see Omori’s career-defining Classic victory on Lake Wylie.
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BASS TO LICENSE BASSMASTER WEEKEND SERIES TO AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS, INC.CELEBRATION, Fla. – Beginning in 2007, BASS will license its Bassmaster Weekend Series circuit to American Bass Anglers, Inc., an Athens, Ala.,-based group originally formed in 1975 for anglers in the military but now open to all bass enthusiasts across the nation.
The Bassmaster Weekend Series Operated by American Bass Anglers will continue to send the overall national champion to the CITGO Bassmaster Classic, the world championship of bass fishing. American Bass Anglers also plans to continue the popular one-day tournament structure and operate a schedule similar to the 2006 format. The tournaments will be conducted according to BASS rules and under the organization’s highest fish-care standards. The first tournament is scheduled for January 2007.
“American Bass Anglers has successfully operated a tournament trail for weekend anglers for many years,” said Jim Downs, BASS senior director of events. “This gives BASS the opportunity to focus on the Elite Series, memberships and publications while serving the weekend angler with BASS-sanctioned events.”
While all Bassmaster Weekend Series participants must be members of both BASS and American Bass Anglers, BASS Federation Nation members and BASS Life members will receive priority entry into the tournaments. Additionally, BASS will provide priority entry into the Bassmaster Opens for the top six Bassmaster Weekend Series anglers from the Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship. “We are very excited to work with BASS and its staff on this alliance,” said Morris Sheehan, president of American Bass Anglers. “The Bassmaster Weekend Series is the perfect addition to American Bass Anglers’ current format, and to have a member of the Bassmaster Weekend Series earn the opportunity to compete in the Bassmaster Classic is a great honor. American Bass Anglers and BASS are fully committed to growing the Bassmaster Weekend Series to be the biggest and best national weekend series in the country.”
BASS will continue to deliver the news and information on the Bassmaster Weekend Series to members and fans in BASS Times as well as on www.Bassmaster.com. More information can be found at www.AmericanBassAnglers.com.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers offers over 1,100 tournaments per year in 41 states that are designed for the weekend angler. American Bass Anglers commitment is to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each an upward path for angler progression. For more information on American Bass Anglers and the “Bassmasters Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers” visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call the weekend angler hotline toll free at 888-203-6222. American Bass Anglers is headquartered in Athens, Ala.
About BASS
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS sanctions and stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry’s widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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HELPING FIND A CUREElite Series Pro Terry Segraves Spending Off-Season Supporting The V Foundation for Cancer Research
CELEBRATION, Fla. – CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series angler Terry Segraves is capping off the 11-event season with a tournament of his own. On Oct. 28-29, the 58-year-old angler will host the seventh annual Angling Against Cancer Benefit Dinner and Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
The dinner and pro-am tournament features a proverbial who’s-who in the world of bass fishing. Anglers expected to participate include Bassmaster Memorial champion Peter Thliveros, long-time BASS anglers Paul Elias, Steve Daniel, Charlie Hartley and Charlie Youngers as well as 2007 CITGO Bassmaster Classic competitors Terry Scroggins, Timmy Horton and Kevin Wirth.
“This is for a good cause,” said Segraves. “It’s a way to give back to people who are less fortunate and it’s something we need to find a cure for.”
Segraves has built a reputation during his career not only as a competitive angler, but also as a generous one. Angling Against Cancer is the centerpiece of Kissimmee’s Great Outdoor Fest and Expo, a two-day festival celebrating the outdoors that is organized by Segraves’ sponsor, the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau.
With many touring BASS pros participating, the event has raised more than $200,000 for The V Foundation, a cancer-research organization founded in 1993 by the late N.C. State basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jim Valvano.
“We brought in about $50,000 last year,” said Segraves. “My goal is to get it up to six figures for a single year. It’s a good thing to do and people have fun doing it.”
Segraves is also proud that through his association with his hometown Kissimmee, community leaders and friends of Lake Toho, he has been a leader in the field of conservation. With massive development planned for the south side of the lake, Segraves has been invited by the site developer to participate in planning meetings that he hopes will lead to preservation of the lake’s fishing appeal.
“I’d like to see a lot of other anglers get involved in their areas,” he said. “I’m hoping to make a difference in what they plan so it won’t affect the fishing.”
In addition to Kissimmee, which Segraves has been associated with since 1999, his Elite Series sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Pfleuger rods and reels, Minn Kota trolling motors, Humminbird fish finders, Power-Pole anchors and Culprit worms.
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Inside BASS: Weldon Looks Back at a Great SeasonWhen Trip Weldon reflects on the recently completed 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series season, he sounds like a proud papa.
The longtime BASS tournament director says the innovative, groundbreaking, 11-event Bassmaster Elite Series, coupled with the three Bassmaster Majors went way beyond his imagination.
“This is my 16th season, and you go into it thinking it’s just another year. But it was not just another year,” he said. “I think it was a milestone in the sport.
“We did so many good things, and there were things we certainly could do better. But all in all, I think it’s been a phenomenal year. And the respect we got from the anglers, especially wanting to come back (in 2007), speaks for itself.”
Weldon discussed some of the highlights of the season:
•Big bass: “Obviously the big fish catches. Lake Amistad in Texas kicked off the season with a great event. The Bassmaster Legends presented by Goodyear in Little Rock was super. In Oklahoma at The Sooner Run, we had fantastic crowds. There was a fantastic turnout in Syracuse.”
•Highly competitive: “Close races. Once again, Angler of the Year came down to the last tournament and the next-to-last day. And hats off to (Mike) Iaconelli. Kudos to him for him to do what he’s done- a phenomenal job. He’s a fierce competitor and emotional guy.”
•A true Bassmaster Angler of the Year: “It was a great success. We found out truly who the best angler of the year is, and Iaconelli is that guy. They had to adapt to the different seasons. That’s what I love about it: It’s not a springtime Series any more; we faced all kinds of conditions.”
•Difficult decisions: “I had tough calls (especially some high-profile disqualifications), but that’s my job. As tournament officials, our jobs are to try to keep the playing field as level as possible, so you make decisions in the best interests of the anglers that are obeying the rules and move on.”
•Angler branding: “Some of them certainly learned how to brand themselves and market themselves. I think when they came to the first event and saw the marketing behind the wrapped boats and all, it was an eye-opener for a lot of people.”
Weldon says not to expect many changes to the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2007.
“I think we’ll only make it bigger and better,” he said. “I don’t see a whole lot of tweaking — nothing real significant.”
TRUE BELIEVER. You might not be familiar with the name Dr. Stanley Applegate, but BASS founder Ray Scott would tell you he was as integral to the birth of BASS as anyone. Applegate died last week at a Springdale, Ark., hospital after heart surgery. He was 86.
“He was a great guy,” Scott said. “He trusted in me and believed in what I was trying to do with my first tournament at Beaver Lake without even knowing me.
“Dr. Applegate owned Hickory Creek Marina and gave me $2,500. He said, ‘If you make it, you can pay me back. If you don’t make it, all I ask is that you never, ever tell my wife my wife I gave you this $2,500.’ He was one of those angels that helped me out along the way.”
Applegate was a beloved member of his community. He practiced in Springdale for more than 50 years and helped establish Springdale Memorial Hospital.
WHERE IN THE WORLD. Each year, members of the National Hockey League team that wins the Stanley Cup get to spend 24 hours with it, taking the prize wherever they choose. This summer - after the Carolina Hurricanes won the championship - one team member took the Cup bass fishing with two BASS members. On Aug. 28, Chris Huffine, the Hurricane's video coordinator, went to Falls Lake in North Carolina with BASS fans Steve Jones and local guide Kennon Brown for a few hours on the water. Once they caught a bass, they placed it with a few cups of water into the Stanley Cup. "Mission accomplished," Huffine, who fished an ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series tournament in July, said at the time.
Jones, who works in the auto parts department for a car dealership in Sanford, N.C., said it was a memorable experience. Always careful to care for the cup, the trio kept a life preserver on it while it was on the boat. "Just to have the Cup on my boat was pretty neat," said Jones.
The complete travels of the Cup and an online journal can be found at the Hockey Hall of Fame's Web site, www.hhof.com
Each member of the Carolina Hurricanes assumes possession of the Stanley Cup for 24 hours, and you'll get an insider's view through exclusive stories and photographs as the Stanley Cup visits locations around the globe.
WRAP RAP. It’s not often that you want the word “slow” associated with your bass boat, but Randy Yarnall’s Bassmaster Elite Series Triton is wrapped with the logo of Cavitron Lures and features the slogan “The Slowest Buzzbait.”
The 50-year-old Pennsylvania pro competed in the Bassmaster Elite Series and the CITGO Bassmaster Northern Tour in 2006.
WEIRDEST CATCH. It is amazing the number of Bassmaster pros who have hooked a rod-and-reel outfit while angling for bass.
Add Bill Lowen to the list.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, pro, who this season qualified for the 2007 CITGO Bassmaster Classic as a Bassmaster Elite Series rookie, was fishing a jigging spoon in an Indiana lake when he reeled in a long-forgotten baitcasting outfit.
DID YOU KNOW? These guys are good. Of the 40 pros who have qualified so far for the 2007 Bassmaster Classic, none have missed it much in recent years. Tom Hamlin, who qualified through the Bassmaster Southern Tour, has been away the longest; his last Classic appearance was in 2003.
IF I HADN’T BECOME A BASS PRO … Bassmaster Elite Series pro Randy Yarnall would be able to devote his full attention to running his business, Yarnall Plumbing & Water Conditioning.
THEY SAID IT. “I think I can fish professionally now, but I'm really happy to have an arm now. I'm just happy to tie my shoes.” — Dustin Wilks, who missed most of the Bassmaster Elite Series season after undergoing extensive elbow surgery, discussed his recovery with The Raleigh News and Observer.
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Inside BASS: 2 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookies Made Waves in 2006 Fishing fans know Steve Kennedy dominated the Toyota Rookie of the Year race and earned an invitation to the 2007 CITGO Bassmaster Classic on Alabama’s Lay Lake — the same event his father, Van, fished in 1982.
Somewhat overshadowed by the heroics of Kennedy, 37, of Auburn, Ala., were the performances of two other CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series rookies who qualified for the world-championship Classic.
Jared Lintner, 33, of Arroyo Grande, Calif., had never fished outside his home state before the 2006 Elite Series took him to Texas’ Lake Amistad for the season opener. Despite that, he finished 18th in the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
“It was an awesome year,” he said. “I’m excited about making the Classic my first year.”
Remarkably, this rookie cashed a check in eight of the 11 Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments, winning $96,700 total. His highest finish was seventh at the Pride of Augusta on Clarks Hill Reservoir in Georgia.
Bill Lowen, 31, of Cincinnati, Ohio, earned a check in seven tournaments, finishing with his second fourth-place showing in the season finale in The Rock presented by TheraSeed on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. En route to pocketing $94,200, he placed 26th in the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
“It’s been awesome. It’s been a heck of a year,” he said. “It went a little better than I thought. I wasn’t expecting to do so well, and I’m just tickled to death. Making the Classic is awesome. I’m still on cloud nine. It hasn’t sunk in, yet. For my first year, I couldn’t ask for more.”
As for the $55,000 Lowen spent on Bassmaster Elite Series entry fees, “It was a big investment, but it was definitely worth it,” he said.
SHORTCHANGED. The way Kevin Short sees it, the Bassmaster Elite Series ended way too soon. After going eight tournaments without earning a dime, the 44-year-old Arkansas pro came on strong in his final four events.
It began by finishing 13th at New York’s Lake Champlain during the Champion’s Choice, then got better with a sixth-place showing at the Potomac River in Maryland during the Capitol Clash. That enabled him to score the last invitation to the Bassmaster Legends presented by Goodyear on the Arkansas River, where he placed third.
And at the Bassmaster Elite Series season-ending competition in September at Missouri’s Table Rock Lake, Short nailed another third-place finish.
“I’d like to go about four more rounds,” he said, smiling. “I’ve been close the last couple of times to winning one. I think if I had four more shots, I might be able to get there.
“I do not have a clue (what led to the turnaround). Somewhere between Oneida and Champlain I guess I got my head out of my butt and remembered how to catch fish. I can’t point to any one event or anything; I didn’t, like, pass a moose on the highway or anything like that. So I really don’t know. It just worked.
“I’m really looking forward to next season,” he said.
CLASSIC TEXANS. The eight-member Alabama gang is not the only big contingent headed for the 2007 Classic. They are matched by eight Texas pros: Kelly Jordon, Mineola; Alton Jones, Waco; Matt Reed, Madisonville; Todd Faircloth, Jasper; Zell Rowland, Montgomery; Takahiro Omori, Emory; Gary Klein, Weatherford; and James Niggemeyer, Lindale. Niggemeyer qualified for his first Bassmaster Classic by finishing first in CITGO Bassmaster Southern Tour points.
In addition, two Texans will be among the 12 competitors in the inaugural Mercury Marine Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship presented by Triton Boats: Juanita Robinson of Highlands and Robin Babb of Livingston.
VOTE FOR RAY. BASS founder Ray Scott is one of four finalists for the 2007 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year award. The winner will receive a $50,000 grant to donate to the conservation group of choice.
If he wins, Scott said he plans to give the award to the BASS Federation Nation so state conservation directors can use it for grass-roots programs that benefit anglers across the country.
To vote, go to www.budweiser.com, then navigate through Sports to the Outdoors section.
WRAP RAP. Veteran Oklahoma pro Tommy Biffle’s Bassmaster Elite Series boat is wrapped with the logo of Polaris ATVs — promotion of a company that hits close to home for him.The 14-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier owns an ATV store called Tommy Biffle Lakeside Polaris in his hometown of Wagoner, Okla., which helped him convince Polaris to become his title sponsor.
WEIRDEST CATCH. As a young angler, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brian Snowden of Reeds Spring, Mo., was cranking in California’s Clear Lake when he hooked what he thought was a big bass.“It hit the crankbait under the water and fought like a bass,” he recalled. “I thought I had a good one until a loon popped up next to the boat. My dad had the net ready.
“He was hooked in the bill. I had to hold his head down — to keep him from pecking me — to pull the hook out.”
DID YOU KNOW? The state of Texas holds the record for the most anglers sent to a Bassmaster Classic. Twelve Texans fished the 1983 Bassmaster Classic in Cincinnati. Alabama will set a record this year for the most native sons competing in a home-state Classic, with eight.IF I HADN’T BECOME A BASS PRO … Rookie pro Lowen would likely still be “laying floors — carpet and tile.” He was a subcontractor before quitting for his inaugural campaign in the big leagues of BASS. “This is way more fun,” he said.THEY SAID IT. “I can't believe the way this sport has changed. When I first got into this, I really thought I was doing something if I got $3,000 to $4,000 for winning a tournament. Now I'm getting $25,000 apiece from sponsors to wrap my boat and my truck with their logos. I'm making $150,000 to $200,000 a year fishing — something I never thought I'd see.” - Guy Eaker, 66, tells the Kansas City Star newspaper how much the sport has progressed in his 31 years as a BASS member. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASS Reporter’s Notebook: Angling against Cancer; On the Road, Again; Another McClelland…..Angling against cancer
With the conclusion of the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series nearly two weeks ago, most Elite anglers are beginning to settle into their off-season routines.
And for several generous Elite anglers, part of that routine is the annual Angling Against Cancer Benefit and Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.
Since 2000, some of professional bass fishing’s biggest stars have made the annual trip to Central Florida to help raise money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded by college basketball coach and ESPN analyst Jim Valvano in 1993 before he lost his own battle with cancer.
Elite Series pro Terry Segraves serves as host and organizer of the benefit tournament, which annually raises close to $50,000. Each year, Segraves gets a helping hand from his fellow Elite pros, and this year’s tournament, which will be held Oct. 28-29 as part of Kissimmee’s annual Great Outdoor Days festival, is no exception.
Leading the list will be recent Elite winner and Florida pro Preston Clark, who holds the BASS record for heaviest four-day tournament weight, along with Elite pros Terry Scroggins, Kevin Wirth, Tim Horton, Steve Daniel, Charlie Hartley, Charlie Youngers and Paul Elias.
“I could not be happier with the support of my fellow anglers,” Segraves said. “To have these top anglers say yes to our fundraiser before the end of the professional tournament trail is a testament to them. They believe in the cause, and are willing to volunteer time out from their busy schedules to help out.”
Segraves said the commitment from his fellow pros is exceptional, especially considering the busy schedules that often take them away from home for much of the year. Aside from the travel, there are sponsor obligations, media interviews and a host of other demands.
“This event sells itself,” Segraves said, “and I gladly extend my hand to my fellow pros in friendship and mutual respect.”
Angling Against Cancer includes an evening gala and auction where the celebrity anglers gather, sign autographs, and mingle with the public. On the following morning, participating pros and corporate sponsors compete in a fishing tournament on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, launching from Kissimmee’s Lake Tohopekaliga.
Fans can watch their favorite team weigh-in at Osceola Heritage Park during Kissimmee’s Great Outdoor Fest and Expo.
For more information about the tournament, visit www.GreatOutdoorDays.com.
On the road, again
The 2006 Elite Series season ended with “The Rock” presented by Theraseed at Table Rock Lake, but for a pair of Elite Series pros, the end of the Elite Series season didn’t mean an immediate return to the less strenuous schedule of the off-season.
In fact, it meant a quick departure and long drive to Nevada for the annual WON Bass U.S. Open on Lake Mead.
Elite pros Aaron Martens and Byron Velvick, both two-time winners of the U.S. Open, left directly from Missouri and made the lengthy drive to Mead in order to participate in the tournament.
As it turned out, it was worth the long drive and quick turnaround from Table Rock.
Velvick, who won the event in 1990 and 1996, fished without practice but finished fourth. Martens, the two-time defending champion of the U.S. Open, posted a fifth-place finish.
“I always enjoy participating in this event,” said Velvick, who rarely fishes Mead despite owning a home near the lake. “It wasn’t a fun drive, but I’m glad I made it.”
Past winners include Elite anglers Rick Clunn, who last year was named the “Greatest Angler” in BASS history; John Murray, 2004 BUSCH Shootout winner; Gary Klein; and Dave Gliebe.
Another McClelland
With four BASS wins, Elite Series angler Mike McClelland has proven to be a force on the top level of Bassmaster competition for a number of years. But it was his younger brother, Shannon, who took home a trophy at the final Elite Series event of the season- The Rock presented by TheraSeed on Table Rock Lake.
Shannon, 33, won the co-angler division at the season finale by more than 3 pounds. With the win, he took home a fully rigged Triton boat package valued at $45,000.
Counting Mike’s win at The Sooner Run at Grand Lake in June, both McClellands notched Elite wins in 2006.
“My dad (Rodney) was so proud after I won because that meant both of his sons had won BASS events in 2006,” the younger McClelland said. “It was certainly my greatest tournament accomplishment.”
Meanwhile, with a 15th-place finish at the season finale, 38-year-old Mike secured a spot in the 2007 Bassmaster Classic. Additionally, he qualified for the upcoming BUSCH Shootout via his 2005 Bassmaster Open Championship performance. Coupled with the Elite win, the accomplished pro is satisfied with his season.
“I feel like a little kid because I am so excited for the Shootout,” McClelland said. “That is just a cool tournament and it will put an exclamation point on what has been a great year.”
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208. To join BASS, call 1-877-BASS-USA or visit www.bassmaster.com.
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37 ELITE SERIES ANGLERS QUALIFY FOR 2007 CITGO BASSMASTER CLASSIC IN ALABAMA7 Home-State Anglers Dominate Field
KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. – As the inaugural season of the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series ends, a new journey is about to begin for 37 anglers who on Sunday qualified for bass fishing’s most major event - the 2007 CITGO Bassmaster Classic. They join three anglers who already qualified from the CITGO Bassmaster Southern Tour.
The highest-ranking anglers in the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings received invitations to the event, scheduled for Feb. 23-25, 2007, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Ala. With more than 100 anglers in the Elite field, the spots were at a premium.
“When considering my career goals, [the Bassmaster Classic] is on the top of my list,” said 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year Steve Kennedy of Alabama, one of seven home-state anglers in the field. “With all the hype and the money that come with the event, this is one of those career-long goals.”
Kennedy joins a star-studded field of accomplished veterans, including four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn and 25-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Gary Klein. Other rookies who will compete are Bill Lowen of Kentucky and Jared Lintner of California. A full qualifying list is below.
In 2007, the Bassmaster Classic winner will receive $500,000 of a $1.2-million total prize purse. Anglers also benefit from the brand-building opportunities at the marquee event, which is televised on the ESPN networks.
Joining the Elite Series qualifiers will be six anglers from the 2007 Federation Nation National Championship (Jan. 17-19, 2007; Neely Henry Lake), the three top anglers in points standings from the CITGO Bassmaster Northern and Southern Tours and the 2007 ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series presented by Advance Auto Parts champion (Jan. 25-27, 2007; Lake Guntersville).
The 50-angler Bassmaster Classic field will fish on the 12,000-acre Lay Lake, site of both the 1996 and 2002 Bassmaster Classics. The 48-mile-long fishery, which was impounded in 1914, gave up a winning three-day tournament weight of 45 pounds, 13 ounces to angler Jay Yelas in the 2002 Classic. But this is only the second time the Bassmaster Classic has been held in late winter and it may prove challenging for some anglers.
“This year, we had a truly full season and with the Classic, we’ll fish in winter,” said Rick Clunn, who won the 1976 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville in Alabama and qualified for a record 31 Bassmaster Classics. “That’s what I enjoy the most – seeing the talents of anglers that you didn’t know were there because we hadn’t fished through an entire year.”
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, call BASS Communications at 407-566-2208. To join BASS, visit www.Bassmaster.com/ or call 1-877-BASS-USA.
2006 CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year Standings
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 2648
2 Steve Kennedy Ala. 2591
3 Kevin VanDam Mich. 2582
4 Aaron Martens Ala. 2572
5 Dean Rojas Ariz. 2493
6 Kevin Wirth Ky. 2458
7 Skeet Reese Calif. 2456
8 Edwin Evers Okla. 2454
9 Tommy Biffle Okla. 2420
10 Kelly Jordon Texas 2410
11 Greg Hackney La. 2404
12 Jason Quinn S.C. 2355
13 Gerald Swindle Ala. 2347
14 Denny Brauer Mo. 2303
15 Russ Lane Ala. 2286
16 Alton Jones Texas 2269
17 John Murray Ariz. 2259
18 Jared Lintner Calif. 2240
19 Peter Thliveros Fla. 2228
20 John Crews Va. 2226
21 Matt Reed Texas 2198
22 Mike McClelland Ark. 2174
23 Todd Faircloth Texas 2162
24 Randy Howell Ala. 2161
25 Mike Wurm Ark. 2156
26 Bill Lowen Ohio 2134
27 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 2114
28 Lee Bailey Ala. 2097
28 Mark Tucker Mo. 2097
30 Timmy Horton Ala. 2090
31 Terry Scroggins Fla. 2068
32 Zell Rowland Texas 2063
33 Jeff Kriet Okla. 2058
34 Rick Clunn Mo. 2056
35 Takahiro Omori Texas 2052
36 Gary Klein Texas 2032
37 Ishama Monroe Calif. 2015
38 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 2012
39 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 2007
40 Davy Hite S.C. 1994
41 Brent Chapman Kan. 1982
42 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1979
43 Dave Wolak Pa. 1971
44 Terry Butcher Okla. 1961
45 Stephen Browning Ark. 1959
46 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 1944
47 Scott Rook Ark. 1943
48 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1924
49 Paul Elias Miss. 1917
50 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1889
51 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1885
51 William Smith, Jr Ky. 1885
53 Chad Brauer Mo. 1881
54 Brian Snowden Mo. 1861
55 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1842
56 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1833
57 Jeff Connella La. 1830
58 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1812
59 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1800
60 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 1798
61 Chris Lane Fla. 1768
62 Jon Bondy Canada 1762
63 Marty Stone N.C. 1753
64 Mark Tyler Ariz. 1746
65 Steve Daniel Fla. 1745
66 Jami Fralick S.D. 1725
67 Kevin Short Ark. 1713
68 Mark Menendez Ky. 1708
69 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1697
70 Frank Scalish Ohio 1696
71 Kevin Langill N.C. 1694
71 Keith Phillips Ala. 1694
73 Ken Cook Okla. 1670
74 Elton Luce Jr Texas 1655
75 Paul Hirosky Pa. 1654
76 Britt Myers N.C. 1646
77 Charlie Youngers Fla. 1642
78 Preston Clark Fla. 1637
79 Mike Reynolds Calif. 1632
80 Dave Smith Okla. 1620
81 Rick Morris Va. 1586
82 Kurt Dove Va. 1583
83 Pete Ponds Miss. 1568
83 Charlie Hartley Ohio 1568
85 Guy Eaker N.C. 1564
86 Byron Velvick Nev. 1554
87 Jarrett Edwards Ariz. 1550
88 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1534
89 Bradley Stringer Texas 1532
90 David Gliebe Ky. 1523
91 Mike O'Shea Calif. 1518
92 Vince Hurtado Calif. 1512
93 Joe Thomas Ohio 1473
94 Charlie Weyer Calif. 1447
95 Doc Merkin Ill. 1446
96 Terry Segraves Fla. 1435
97 Bink Desaro Idaho 1389
98 Ken Brodeur Conn. 1383
99 Mark Rogers Fla. 1292
100 Rick Ash Pa. 1177
101 Jimmy Houston Okla. 1084
102 Brooks Rogers Texas 1031
103 Randy Yarnall Pa. 1027
104 Robert Hamilton Jr Miss. 551
105 Conrad Picou La. 390
106 Dustin Wilks N.C. 151
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BASS ANGLER PARTICIPATES IN ABC’S “EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION”Stephen Browning of Arkansas Helps Central Florida Family in Need
CELEBRATION, Fla. – With his face appearing more and more on television, Stephen Browning could in time become one of professional bass fishing’s most recognized anglers.
In fact, the Hot Springs, Ark., resident, who is competing this year on the new CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series and fishing in 11 premier tournaments across the country, recently participated in a taping of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The episode will air on Sunday, April 2 at 7 p.m. ET.
Browning offered a fishing lesson and background research to designers Paul DiMeo and Preston Sharp of the Extreme Makeover crew, who were renovating a hurricane Charley-damaged home in Central Florida and outfitting one room with a fishing theme. Browning was in town for the CITGO Bassmaster Classic, bass fishing’s most major event, back in February.
“They needed expertise on the water and that was my role,” said Browning. “They took a lot of what they saw on the water and wanted to incorporate that into the room.”
No stranger to television, Browning also is co-host of the ESPN2 BASS Saturday program Bass Tech, where fellow anglers, including Gerald Swindle of Alabama, upgrade fishing equipment so it performs at its best. Browning appeared in five episodes last season and is slated to be in all of the shows this year, which airs at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Notably, Browning is remembered as being the winner of a grueling survival competition that aired on the ESPN program Wild Rules several years ago. The 25th-ranked angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index won $100,000 after spending 15 days in the wilderness in British Columbia. “It was the hardest challenge both mentally and physically I have ever done,” he said.
Now, wherever he goes, Browning is recognized for the Wild Rules show. “Every place I go, people remember that,” he said. “It’s not only fishermen that come up to me and say ‘Hey, you did a great job,’ it’s also people who watched the show, and it’s a pretty cool deal.”
Browning would like to have a similar impact this year on the Elite Series, which is offering anglers and their sponsors unprecedented levels of coverage and recognition on ESPN. The 11 events visit some of America’s hottest fisheries at the perfect times of the year to produce excellent fishing for the anglers and exciting viewing for spectators. Coverage of the Elite Series airs Saturdays at 10 a.m. on ESPN2. Plus, it offers anglers the chance to win part of a $7.4 million prize purse.
“Fishermen used to just fish tournaments,” he said. “Now we’re actually business people and entrepreneurs. And as far as investments go, you want positive return. I personally think the investment in the Elite Series for the chance of having an opportunity at that kind of money is a very wise business decision.”
Browning’s sponsors include Mercury Marine – which is prominent on his boat design - Triton Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Fishing, Flowmaster Mufflers, St. Croix rods and Motorguide trolling motors.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 550,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, call BASS Communications at 407-566-2208. To join BASS, visit http://www.bassmaster.com or call 1-877-BASS-USA
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(c) LadyBassAngler 2006
