Interesting Fishing Facts

Interesting facts from the IGFA -- Did You Know?

This month the IGFA features recently released figures from The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fisheries and Aquaculture Department has just released The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2008. Some interesting facts from the recent report (all values annual totals for the year 2006):

Catch
Global capture fisheries production was about 92 million tonnes.

Value
Our calculations indicate that is equivalent to the weight of 18.4 million elephants or 46 million SUVs (all these SUVs lined up would stretch five times around the earth at the equator).
Global fish capture production first sale value is estimated at US $91.2 billion.

Countries
Top five countries in world capture production:
• China
• Peru
• United States of America
• Indonesia
• Japan

• Asian countries accounted for 52% of global
capture production.

People
• 43.5 million people are directly engaged, part time or full time, in primary production of fish (including fish capture from the wild and aquaculture) with an additional four million people engaged on an occasional basis.
• For each person employed in the primary sector, it is estimated there are four employed in the secondary sector (fish processing, marketing and service industries), indicating employment of about 170 million people in the industry as a whole.
• If you consider the number of dependants, about 520 million people could be dependent on the sector, that’s about 8% of the world population.

Species/Stocks
The top five marine species for capture production:
• Anchoveta
• Alaska pollock
• Skipjack tuna
• Atlantic herring
• Blue herring

• Overall, 80% of the world fish stocks for which assessment information is available are reported as fully exploited or overexploited.
• Quote from text: “As stated before in The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, the maximum wild capture fisheries potential from the world’s ocean has probably been reached, and a more closely controlled approach to fisheries management is required, particularly for some highly migratory, straddling and other fishery resources that are exploited solely or partially in the high seas.”
These values do not include data from recreational fisheries, bycatch or illegal, unreported, unregulated catches.

Better Bass Fishing - A "Must Have" Book for Every Bass Angler

Secrets from the Headwaters by a Bassmaster Senior Writer, Robert U. Montgomery

Bass fisherman Robert Montgomery provides readers with secrets for becoming better bass anglers

Better Bass Fishing contains plenty of how-to information while at the same time concentrating on the “big picture” of bass fishing, educating bass anglers about weather and how it affects fish; bass biology; and both bass and angler behavior, emphasizing the importance of taking care of the fishery, fishermen themselves, and their favorite equipment.

Montgomery recommends ways that anglers can improve their fisheries through specific, individual actions; provides an in-depth look at how anglers can improve their performance through fitness and diet; and offers specifics on how anglers can better protect themselves, their vehicles, and their rods, reels, electronics, and boats while on the road.

These secrets encourage both a thoughtful approach to fishing and a realization that success is tied to far more than just using the right bait. Bass fishing is more than just catching fish; it is about enjoying meteor showers and fireflies, and about the pleasure derived from taking a kid fishing.

Robert U. Montgomery is a longtime senior writer for ESPN/BASS publications. His work has appeared in Sports Afield, North American Fisherman, Fishing World, In-Fisherman, Sport Fishing, Florida Sportsman, Saltwater Sportsman, Outdoor Life, Bassin’, Fish & Game, and other publications, and he has written special reports for the American Fisheries Society and the Clean Water Network. Montgomery lives in Bonne Terre, MO.

June 2009 $21.95 (Can. $24.00) | paperback | 978-0-88150-849-9 | 7x10 | 224 pp

Texan Janet Parker Claims Her First Women’s Bassmaster Tour Victory

Story and Photo Courtesy BASS

April 25, 2009

Parker Held Wire to Wire Lead, All Three Competition Days

WEST MONROE, La. — All week Janet Parker of Little, Elm, Texas, has been saying she was “keeping it simple” out on the water, but Parker also made it look easy when she won wire-to-wire Saturday by more than 8 pounds at the second stop of the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour event on the Ouachita River.

The first day she led by 11 ounces. The second day she stretched her lead to almost 5 pounds. With Saturday’s weight of 11 pounds, 2 ounces — her best of the three days — she totaled 32-2, easily staying in front of Sheri Glasgow of Muskogee, Okla., who took second with 23-13.

Patti Campbell of Waxahachie, Texas, who on Friday moved up from 21st into third place, also finished there with 21-13.

It was the first WBT title for Parker, who’s been competing in the women’s circuit since its inception in 2005. Her previous best finish was in June 2008 at Tennessee’s Old Hickory Lake, where she finished 14th after leading the first day.

“Last night, when I realized I had a 4-pound, 12-ounce lead, I thought maybe I could win here,” Parker said. “I didn’t get overconfident because maybe my fish would turn off, or someone would catch an 8-pounder — you just don’t know. I did not count my chickens before they hatched.”

Her wire-to-wire win was worth a $55,000 Triton/Mercury boat package, $650, and a valuable 315 points in Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year race, where the eventual AOY winner will qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic. Parker also received a bonus $500 that was donated to the winner by the Ouachita River Valley Association.

By “keeping it simple” on the Ouachita River, she meant she worked a Texas-rigged plastic crawfish in the same way to trigger a reaction bite, regardless of where she fished.

“I felt the key was having a weight and a magnetic bead,” Parker said. “I’d let the lure fall, then hop it up, and the beads would clack together. Then I’d let it rest and hop it up again.”

She fished the same rig in two markedly different areas. One was a shallow backwater, and the other a main-river ledge.

In the backwater, she picked up bass hitting baitfish at the mouth of an underwater culvert in water from 2 feet to about 8 feet deep. She also flipped to trees and brush in the same backwater.

On the main river channel, she threw her craw to bass holding in an eddy behind a ledge. Her only alteration in the rig for the main-river spot was a switch from a 3/8-ounce to a 1/2-ounce weight.

Ending in second place, Glasgow relied on a custom-made spinnerbait with a single Colorado blade, the same bait she used to win a WBT event at Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle in 2007.


“It puts out a lot of thump, a lot of vibration, your rod tip’s bouncing as it pulses through the water,” said Glasgow, the 2007 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year. “You can slow-roll it, and when you bring it by a piece of structure, you can stop it and let it flutter. It worked great in this muddy water.”

Glasgow said she stayed in the Ouachita’s backwater lakes, working flooded buckbrush and cypress trees, moving with the fish as the water level changed each day.


Winner in the co-angler division and the $25,000 Triton/Mercury boat rig was Day Two leader Linda Owens, a retired law enforcement officer from Brandon, Miss. Her three-day weight of 16 pounds, 14 ounces, was almost 5 pounds more than her closest competitor.

“This is my first win at a tournament, ever,” said Owens, whose first look at the Ouachita River was on the first day of competition. She said the boat she won will replace a boat she had to give up after retirement.

Owens said she flipped and pitched to cypress trees and brush all three days, a technique that is “right up my alley.” Her go-to lure was a soft-plastic creature bait with a chartreuse dip on the tail.

“For some reason, they wouldn’t hit if the tail wasn’t dipped,” Owens said.

Other top finishers in the co-angler division included Gail Wood of Russellville, Ark., was second with 12-2. First-day leader Terri Bittner of McKinleyville, Calif., was third with 10-12.

The final two stops of the WBT regular season will be out of Little Rock, Ark., for a June 4-6 competition on the Arkansas River; and Sept. 10-12 stop at Old Hickory Lake out of Hendersonville, Tenn.

After the Old Hickory tournament, the top 20 in both the pro and co-angler points standings will advance to the Oct. 16-18 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

One pro will emerge from the championship as the Toyota Tundra Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year. She’ll win a Toyota Tundra and qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.

Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who finished in seventh place at Ouachita, retained her first-place position in the points race with 582 points. Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, is second in the AOY with 556 points.

The local sponsor of the Women's Bassmaster Tour stop on the Ouachita River is the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Sponsors of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour
Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors. Official Sponsors: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Marine. Supporting Sponsors: Ramada, Triton Boats, LaserLure and Legend Boats.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for BASS and ESPN Outdoors latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos and more.

2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour - WBT #2
04/23-04/25 Ouachita River, West Monroe, La.
Professionals Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 15 32-02 315 $55,650.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 5 11-02
2. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 15 23-13 295 $3,575.00
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 9-09 Day 3: 5 7-07
3. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 14 21-13 290 $2,925.00
Day 1: 4 4-02 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 5 7-08
4. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 13 20-15 285 $2,600.00
Day 1: 5 8-14 Day 2: 3 5-02 Day 3: 5 6-15
5. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 12 17-12 280 $2,275.00
Day 1: 5 6-00 Day 2: 3 4-14 Day 3: 4 6-14
6. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 11 16-10 276 $1,950.00
Day 1: 3 4-10 Day 2: 4 5-07 Day 3: 4 6-09
7. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 11 16-06 272 $1,625.00
Day 1: 5 7-08 Day 2: 3 4-04 Day 3: 3 4-10
8. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 10 15-13 268 $1,300.00
Day 1: 2 5-10 Day 2: 3 4-03 Day 3: 5 6-00
9. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 11 15-12 264 $1,138.00
Day 1: 1 0-10 Day 2: 5 7-03 Day 3: 5 7-15
10. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 12 15-05 260 $975.00
Day 1: 5 6-00 Day 2: 3 4-01 Day 3: 4 5-04
11. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, Tenn. 10 14-15 257 $878.00
Day 1: 1 2-00 Day 2: 5 7-08 Day 3: 4 5-07
12. Karen Savik Minneapolis, Minn. 8 14-03 254 $715.00
Day 1: 2 5-06 Day 2: 4 6-09 Day 3: 2 2-04
13. Tami Kashiwabara London, Ark. 11 13-01 251 $650.00
Day 1: 3 3-03 Day 2: 5 6-04 Day 3: 3 3-10
14. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, Texas 9 12-09 248 $634.00
Day 1: 5 7-09 Day 2: 2 2-07 Day 3: 2 2-09
15. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 9 12-06 245 $618.00
Day 1: 2 2-02 Day 2: 5 6-05 Day 3: 2 3-15
16. Lynda Gessner Foristell, Mo. 11 12-03 243 $601.00
Day 1: 5 5-10 Day 2: 4 4-06 Day 3: 2 2-03
17. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 9 10-15 241 $585.00
Day 1: 2 1-15 Day 2: 5 7-03 Day 3: 2 1-13
18. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 4 10-03 239 $569.00
Day 1: 4 10-03 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
19. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 6 10-01 237 $553.00
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 3-14 Day 3: 0 0-00
20. Mary Croft Bedford, Va. 7 9-10 235 $536.00
Day 1: 3 4-01 Day 2: 2 4-00 Day 3: 2 1-09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 10 141 194-09
2 8 128 178-15
3 6 64 93-10
----------------------------------
24 333 467-02

2009 WBT #2 - West Monroe, LA - WBT #2 - West Monroe, LA Boater Points After Ouachita River, West Monroe, La. Ending 04-25-2009, Day 3

-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Pam Martin-Wells Ga. 582
2 Juanita Robinson Texas 556
3 Laura Gober Ga. 553
4 Sheri Glasgow Okla. 543
5 Tammy Richardson Ark. 540
6 Debra Petrowski Texas 525
7 Janet Parker Texas 512
8 Lisa Johnson Ala. 495
9 Patti Campbell Texas 489
10 Dianna Clark Tenn. 479
11 Mary Croft Va. 478
11 Emily Shaffer Tenn. 478
13 Melinda Mize Ark. 475
14 Jennifer Nevans Tenn. 468
15 Judy Wong La. 466
16 Lori Masters Tenn. 465
17 Cindy Hill Tenn. 460
18 Karen Savik Minn. 455
19 Lynda Gessner Mo. 452
20 Robin Babb Texas 451
21 Mary DiVincenti La. 442
22 Lucy Mize Ark. 436
23 Christiana Bradley Va. 435
24 Teri Neal Ga. 434
24 Paula Alexander Ga. 434
26 Debbie Kemp Texas 432
27 Tami Kashiwabara Ark. 428
28 Cheryl LaLumandier Mo. 426
29 Heather Broom N.C. 424
29 Sandi Karnes Texas 424
31 Robinette Fox Ark. 419
32 Kathy Womack Ala. 412
33 Kris McClendon Texas 410
34 Debra Hengst Texas 384
34 Jan Heavener Ark. 384
36 Christena Baugh Ark. 382
37 Laura Heflin Kan. 380
38 Meta Burrell Texas 379
39 Kali Weatherford Texas 374
40 Bridget Allen Pa. 366
41 Susan Gregory Miss. 356
41 Linda Redford Mo. 356
43 Helen Gordon Texas 354
44 Danalee Lofton Ark. 352
44 Marsha Gipson Ark. 352
46 Kathi Hurst Miss. 348
47 Keri Schieber Ga. 346
48 Michelle Armstrong N.C. 344
48 Jo Dee Lake Ala. 344
50 Terri Elkins Texas 342
51 Lisa Craig Texas 332
52 Lila Bass Texas 324
53 BJ Carson Okla. 322
54 Mary Hencken N.C. 320
55 Cindy Van Horn Texas 314
56 Secret York Ky. 302
57 Robbie Hartline Mo. 290
58 Rhonda Pope Ga. 285
59 Kim Stapp Ga. 264
60 Kim Bain-Moore Ala. 251
61 Pam Bolton Ark. 245
62 Cheryl Bowden Texas 233
63 Karen Elkins Ala. 227
64 Kat Ealey Ala. 221
65 Gina Jones Ala. 217
66 Penny Berryman Ark. 213
67 Linda Sands Ala. 195
68 Diane Phillips Texas 193
69 Kathy DiMartino Ala. 191
70 Audrey McQueen Ariz. 187
71 Betty Stahl Ala. 185
72 Barbara Wetzel Ala. 169
73 Lisa Sternard Tenn. 165
74 Kelley Shepherd Ariz. 163
74 Deb Doyal La. 163
76 Sherri Dodson Ala. 155
77 Kimberlee Striker Ala. 151
78 Pat White Texas 149
79 Patsy McDaniel Ala. 137
80 Kim Hicks Ga. 127
81 Judy VanCanneyt Ala. 125
82 Ann Swinks Ga. 119
83 Kathy Freehling Fla. 115
84 Sharon Teague S.C. 0



2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour - WBT #2
04/23-04/25 Ouachita River, West Monroe La.
Co-Anglers Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Linda Owens Brandon, Miss. 11 16-14 310 $25,325.00
Day 1: 2 1-13 Day 2: 5 8-07 Day 3: 4 6-10
2. Gail Wood Russellville, Ark. 7 12-02 295 $1,950.00
Day 1: 3 4-08 Day 2: 3 4-13 Day 3: 1 2-13
3. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, Calif. 8 10-12 295 $1,625.00
Day 1: 4 6-05 Day 2: 1 1-09 Day 3: 3 2-14
4. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 6 9-07 285 $1,300.00
Day 1: 1 0-11 Day 2: 3 4-11 Day 3: 2 4-01
5. Donna Newberry Van Buren, Ark. 6 8-07 280 $1,138.00
Day 1: 2 2-04 Day 2: 3 5-01 Day 3: 1 1-02
6. Teri Cindric Hermitage, Tenn. 6 7-12 276 $975.00
Day 1: 3 3-06 Day 2: 3 4-06 Day 3: 0 0-00
7. Kala Wright Spiro, Okla. 4 7-12 272 $813.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 5-09 Day 3: 1 2-03
8. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 4 7-11 268 $650.00
Day 1: 2 3-07 Day 2: 1 1-11 Day 3: 1 2-09
9. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 7 7-06 264 $585.00
Day 1: 1 1-06 Day 2: 5 5-01 Day 3: 1 0-15
10. Kim Martin Clayton, Ind. 4 7-03 260 $536.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 5-13 Day 3: 1 1-06
11. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, N.J. 5 6-07 257 $488.00
Day 1: 1 0-15 Day 2: 4 5-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
12. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, Tenn. 4 6-06 254 $455.00
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 2 2-09 Day 3: 0 0-00
13. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, Ill. 5 6-02 251 $423.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 4-00 Day 3: 2 2-02
14. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, Pa. 6 6-01 248 $390.00
Day 1: 4 3-08 Day 2: 1 1-04 Day 3: 1 1-05
15. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 5 5-14 245 $374.00
Day 1: 3 3-05 Day 2: 1 1-11 Day 3: 1 0-14
16. Jill Matheis Jasper, Ind. 5 5-13 243 $358.00
Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 2 1-11 Day 3: 1 1-03
17. Kat Arnold Shreveport, La. 4 5-00 241 $341.00
Day 1: 2 3-02 Day 2: 1 0-14 Day 3: 1 1-00
18. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 3 4-05 239 $325.00
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
19. Linda Walker Beebe, Ark. 2 3-12 237 $309.00
Day 1: 1 1-08 Day 2: 1 2-04 Day 3: 0 0-00
20. Barbara Ferge Somerville, Tenn. 3 3-05 235 $293.00
Day 1: 1 0-10 Day 2: 2 2-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 59 66-13
2 2 82 110-01
3 0 21 31-01
----------------------------------
2 162 207-15

2009 WBT #2 - West Monroe, LA - WBT #2 - West Monroe, LA Non-Boater Points After Ouachita River, West Monroe, La. Ending 04-25-2009, Day 3

-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Donna Newberry Ark. 585
1 Terri Bittner Calif. 585
3 Teri Cindric Tenn. 540
4 Debbie Pegoli Ohio 526
5 Gail Wood Ark. 516
6 Martha Goodfellow S.C. 512
7 Charlotte Frazier Texas 503
8 Sherry Melton Tenn. 496
9 Kala Wright Okla. 495
10 Kim Martin Ind. 493
11 Colleen McKay Mass. 491
12 Donna Rutledge Ill. 476
13 Monica Altman N.C. 471
14 Renee Gumbrecht N.J. 470
15 Linda Owens Miss. 469
15 Cheryl Buelow La. 469
17 Vicki Henderson Ark. 455
18 Trish Levitt N.M. 447
19 Kim Petrowski Texas 444
20 Katie Hogan Tenn. 439
21 Barbara Gaskins Va. 434
22 Linda Walker Ark. 432
22 Kat Arnold La. 432
24 Lesley Childers S.C. 412
25 Lisa Diehl Pa. 411
26 Sabrina Thompson Texas 410
27 Kim Mendoza Texas 404
27 Linda Berry N.C. 404
27 Bertha Cavakis Ark. 404
30 Bonnie Ward Wash. 398
31 Susan Dameron Tenn. 388
31 Nancy Oliver La. 388
33 Barbara Ferge Tenn. 386
34 Melissa Bond N.M. 380
35 Elizabeth Sanders Miss. 370
35 Jill Matheis Ind. 370
37 Susan Wild Fla. 356
37 Neva Brown Texas 356
39 Diane Smith Ga. 350
39 Karol Whitehurst Texas 350
41 Denese Freeman Okla. 348
41 Pam Chism Ark. 348
41 Christine Martin Colo. 348
44 Jane Brunner Miss. 346
45 Debra Cook Ala. 338
46 Patti James Texas 336
46 Katie Ellis Miss. 336
46 Dawn Dudek Ill. 336
46 Patty Houston Ala. 336
50 Stacy Zhelesnik N.J. 305
51 Nancy Stumpe Fla. 276
52 Linda Higginbotham Fla. 272
53 Vicki Hester Ala. 251
54 Lori Steele Okla. 248
55 Lesli Lively Texas 245
56 Michele Gunderman N.C. 243
57 Kelly Wells Ga. 237
58 Cynthia Tayloe Texas 231
59 Bunny Hicks Ga. 227
60 Cheryl Sprayberry Fla. 221
61 Torrye Vineyard Texas 217
62 Brandi Frasier Ky. 211
63 Miriam Donohoo Fla. 209
64 Laura Bean Ala. 201
64 Judy Pate La. 201
66 Jada Tidmore Ala. 199
67 Sarah Davis La. 197
68 Inez Zeagler La. 195
69 Cynthia Bryan La. 191
70 Jennifer Blackwood Ga. 181
70 DeLynn Montez Calif. 181
70 Sharron Stone Texas 181
73 Juanita Blasingame Tenn. 179
74 LaShea Raynor S.C. 175
75 Leslie Anderson Mo. 169
76 Linda Rinker Fla. 167
77 Lisa Skelley Tenn. 153
78 Nancy Dugas Ala. 143
79 Petra Ramsey Texas 141
80 Jennifer Rice Ala. 135
81 Virginia Buckner Ala. 133
82 Marilyn Biszmaier Ky. 131
83 Cassie Hall Ala. 129
84 Sugar Walker Ala. 125
85 Mona Crawford Fla. 123
86 Kimberly White Ill. 117
87 Sharon Lawson Tenn. 113
88 Gerry Threadgill Texas 0
88 Caprice Cherry La. 0
88 Leanne Snowden Mich. 0

About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Fish - The Fantastic Health Food

Story & Photo Courtesy of Creative Concepts
Birmingham, AL

April 15, 2009

Going fishing helps you and your family to have fun and provides healthy, delicious food for you to eat, besides reducing your food budget. Recent scientific discoveries name fish as one of the healthiest foods you can eat.

Coenzyme Q, a vitamin-like substance in fish, acts as an antioxidant and keeps dangerous LDL cholesterol from destroying your heart and arteries, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. You get the most Coenzyme Q by eating oily fish like those found in salt water.


Fish has the ability to help prevent heart disease and also...

* has low calories and low fat content;
* contains all nine-essential amino acids required by our bodies;
* digests easily and has low sodium content; and
* provides vitamins A, D (recent research has shown the importance of vitamin D to bone health), and B.
Although the price of fish has increased as more people have discovered the value of eating fish, you can have fish for less money.
* Go fishing yourself. You don't need a boat, a motor or expensive equipment to fish. Purchase inexpensive rods and poles. You can fish the ponds across the country for free or for a nominal charge by asking permission. Miles of small streams where you can fish at no charge probably cross roads and highways near your home. Every state has public-fishing waters, usually heavily stocked with fish you can catch for your table.
* Clean fish on the halves for neighbors and family. Many people consider fish cleaning a hassle. Often anglers will give half their catch away to someone who will clean their fish for them.
* Plan to fish on your family's vacation. If your family goes to the beach this summer, fish a day, and bring home your catch to freeze. You'll have fun fishing from piers and jetties, in the surf or on a boat. You can learn more at www.nighthawkpublications.com.

To prepare tasty fish dishes, order "Fish & Fixings Cookbook" by John and Denise Phillips, which includes more than 125 recipes for cooking fish in a variety of ways and dishes to accompany fish. Receive 3 more free fish recipes by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Fish Recipes, 4112 Camp Horner Road, Birmingham, AL, 35243, or write nighthawkpub@mindspring.com, and request the recipes be emailed to you.

Easy Grilled Mackerel (This fish is one of the highest in Coenzyme Q)

Ingredients:

4 mackerel steaks, 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick
1/4-cup margarine
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
Paprika

Preparation:

Melt margarine, lemon juice and parsley together. Place fish steaks on seafood rack on grill; sprinkle paprika on each; drizzle margarine mixture on each. Cook for 5 minutes on high and then 5 minutes on low. Turn fish; brush fish with remaining margarine mixture; grill for 8 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork.


Fish Hors D'oeuvres

Ingredients:

20 to 30 fish fillets (freshwater or saltwater) cut in 2" by 1" pieces
Steak sauce with a base of Worcestershire and soy sauces
Salt, margarine, lemon juice and strips of bacon

Preparation:

Lightly salt fish; sprinkle steak sauce, squeeze lemon and apply a small piece of margarine to each fillet; cover fish with slices of bacon. For oven cooking, place the fish in the oven at 350 degrees until the bacon is done, 30 minutes or so. Or, microwave in glass dish on HIGH for 5 minutes; turn dish; microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes more; possibly microwave fish another 3 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH.

LaserLure, Inc., New Women’s Bassmaster Tour Sponsor

March 25, 2009

BASS announced today that LaserLure, Inc., a Shreveport, La.-based lure manufacturer, will join the organization as a sponsor of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour during the 2009 tournament season.

Most recently, LaserLure has made a splash in the fishing industry with sponsorship deals with Bassmaster Classic champions Mike Iaconelli and Boyd Duckett. The innovative company was able to leverage its hometown roots during the 2009 Classic in Shreveport-Bossier City, La., to garner significant exposure for its brand of lures.

“We are excited to sponsor the 2009 Women’s Bassmaster Tour,” said Mike Lopez, national sales manager for LaserLure, Inc. “At LaserLure, we know we have developed the most innovative, futuristic and exciting new lures and we are equally certain that we have formed a valuable relationship with ESPN and BASS that will bring the spotlight to our product.”

As part of its association with the Women’s Bassmaster Tour, LaserLure will receive space and signage at each WBT event to promote and display their products.

The sponsorship agreement includes a large presence across BASS’ multimedia assets, including Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer in addition to ESPN Outdoors programming on ESPN2.

“LaserLure is building a fine reputation as an innovator and avid supporter of the fishing industry,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, BASS & ESPN Outdoors. “We are pleased to align the Women’s Bassmaster Tour with such a creative force.”

Women’s Bassmaster Tour sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Toyota, Berkley, BOOYAH, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter, Yamaha, Ramada, Triton Boats and Legend Boats.

About LaserLure, Inc.:

Shreveport, La.- based LaserLure, Inc., produces water-activated, computer-controlled lures that come in five body styles. For more information on products, visit www.laserlure.com or call 1-877-527-5873.

About BASS:

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s sports broadband network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

WBT 2010 Championship on Red River

Red River Will be Site of 2009 Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship

Story / Photo Courtesy BASS /ESPN


SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. – With the 2009 Bassmaster Classic festivities in full swing, BASS announced today that Shreveport-Bossier City, La., and the Red River will host another championship event in 2009: the Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship, set for Oct. 16-18.

The WBT Championship will feature the 20 top anglers from the WBT regular season based on the Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year standings. The top 20 co-anglers will also qualify for the event.

The winner on the pro side will receive $10,000 and a boat package valued at $55,000. Additionally, anglers will accrue points to finalize the Angler of the Year race. After the championship, the top angler in the standings will qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, marking the second time a woman will qualify for the pinnacle event via the Women’s Bassmaster Tour.

“We are delighted to host the 2009 Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship in Shreveport-Bossier City,” said Mary Ann Tice, executive director of Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. “We look forward to helping elevate the championship and bring as much profile and celebrity to the tournament as the WBT anglers deserve.

This Friday, Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., will make history as the first woman to compete in a Bassmaster Classic in the event’s 38-year history.

“We are excited to bring another Championship-level event to Shreveport-Bossier City,” said Tom Ricks, general manager and vice president, BASS. “The region has embraced us and we are grateful for the support.”

More information on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship can be found at www.Bassmaster.com.

BASS Reporter’s Notebook:

Sit, Stay, Down, Heel – SportDOG Brand Will Showcase Dogs, Dog Training at Bassmaster Elite Series Events in 2009

Article and Photo courtesy of BASS

January 27, 2009

A leading maker of dog-training devices, SportDOG Brand will present demonstrations at seven events during the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series regular season.

Fishing fans will be treated to the free sessions — Dog Training and Retriever Demos, Brought To You By SportDOG Brand — beginning with the March 26-29 Diamond Drive on Lake Dardanelle out of Russellville, Ark. (Below, see the full schedule of events at which SportDOG will appear.)

Kevin Lee of SportDOG said pro staffers will be on hand at Elite events with Labrador retrievers to show Elite fans how they can train their dogs to obey basic commands.

“We’ll be doing 20- to 30-minute presentations on stage,” said Lee, SportDOG’s field staff manager and sales specialist. “We’ll cover basic obedience, meaning how to make your dog a good citizen in a human environment. We’ll show the processes to teach a dog how to behave, and how dog owners can work with them to accomplish that.”
The trainers will also cover advanced techniques, such as those used by hunters, Lee said.

“We’ll probably be able to run some retrieves, such as the blind retrieve or water retrieve,” he said. “We’ll cover how to take your dog to the next level, how to give your dog the opportunity to learn.

“The pro staffers will bring in a couple of dogs. They’ll have what they call a beginner dog — a dog that’s had a little bit of formal training — plus what’s called a finished dog. Most will be black, yellow and chocolate Labrador retrievers.”

In addition to the demos, trainers will be available at the SportDOG Brand booth to answer specific questions about dog-training problems they’ve encountered in the field or at home, Lee said. SportDOG will have a presence at the Elite events on the final two days of competition.

SportDOG Brand manufactures a complete line of dog-training products, including professional-grade training accessories for field and hunting dogs.

SportDOG Brand’s Web site (www.sportdog.com) contains training tips and articles as well as information about its new SportDOG Conservation Fund.

SportDOG Brand Demo Schedule:

March 26-29: Diamond Drive on Lake Dardanelle out of Russellville, Ark.

April 2-5: Dixie Duel on Wheeler Lake out of Decatur, Ala.

April 23-26: Blue Ridge Brawl on Smith Mountain Lake out of Moneta, Va.

May 7-10: Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville out of Guntersville, Ala.

June 3-6: Tennessee Triumph on Kentucky Lake out of Paris, Tenn.

June 11-14: River Rumble on the Mississippi River out of Fort Madison, Iowa

Aug. 13-16: Champion’s Choice on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y.


BAIN-MOORE TAKES SALTWATER EVENT: Kim Bain-Moore, the 28-year-old Alabaster, Ala., pro who is the first woman to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic in the event’s 38-year history, won a kingfish tournament last weekend in Florida.

She competed as a member of a four-angler team that included her husband, Bassmaster Open pro and team captain Andre Moore. The team took the top prize in the first 2009 event of the Southern Kingfish Association’s Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour. Bain-Moore also scored first place in the women’s division.

“We’re so excited,” Bain-Moore said the day after the team won with a two-day, two-fish weight of 92.03 pounds. “We’ve been fishing these tournaments for a while, and to come through with the win was pretty special. It was an aggregate tournament — we had to catch big fish both days. We were able to do that. It was a good start to 2009.”

Their “Team Crikey” bested a field of 129 teams. Bain-Moore landed their Day 1 fish, a 36.68-pounder.

Next stop for Bain-Moore is the Feb. 20-22 Classic, where she will look to carry forward the momentum from this victory.

NEW DEALS: With the 2009 Bassmaster Classic out of Shreveport-Bossier City., La., less than a month away, many of the 51 qualifiers are busy completing boat-wrap deals and other new sponsorships.

Among the anglers with new agreements in place for the Feb. 20-22 Red River competition are:

Rick Clunn of Ava., Mo.: When he competes in his 32nd Bassmaster Classic, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro will be wearing a new model of the Xtreme Glove.

The Montgomery, Ala.-based company said a prototype of the Rick Clunn Signature Series glove will be ready in time for Clunn to use it during the three-day competition. The glove, designed to protect an angler’s hand as well as the fish, is expected to be available for retail sales by April.

Clunn holds at least two unique BASS records: He’s a four-time Classic champion (1976, 1977, 1984 and 1990), and he has qualified for 32 Classic competitions. Clunn also was the 1988 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

Bassmaster Elite Series pros Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio, and Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., also on Xtreme Glove’s pro staff, will also compete in the Classic.

Michael Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J.: LaserLure of Shreveport, La., is a new sponsor for Elite pro Iaconelli, the 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion.

The 2009 Classic will be Iaconelli’s 10th. He’s looking to repeat in Louisiana -- his 2003 win was on the Louisiana Delta out of New Orleans.

LaserLure makes a series of crankbaits that emit a laser light said to attract fish. The company also recently signed 2009 Classic qualifier and Elite pro Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., the 2007 Classic champ.

Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas: Georgia-based FishHarder has signed Elite pro Velvick, a first-time Classic qualifier.

FishHarder brands include Tru-Tungsten, Picasso, Capt. Mike’s and Youvella. FishHarder’s pro staff includes eight other 2009 Classic qualifiers.

Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala.: She will be running a new Legend-Evinrude rig with a new wrap showcasing longtime sponsor Reaction Innovations. Bain-Moore, the first woman to qualify for a Classic, also recently signed two new sponsors, Plano and Pflueger.

FOUR RIDES: Toyota has expanded its Bonus Bucks contingency program to include the 4Runner and Tacoma.

The program previously included only the Tundra and Sequoia.

Bonus Bucks awards cash prizes to tournament anglers who own or lease one of the four Toyota vehicles; anglers with a 2007 model or newer are eligible. The registered angler who finishes highest among program participants in a sanctioned tournament wins the bonus money.

Eligible tournaments include events of the Bassmaster Elite Series, BASS Federation Nation, Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors, Bassmaster Opens and the Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers.

Details of the no-cost Bonus Bucks program are available at www.ToyotaFishing.com.

HERE WE GO: The first BASS event of the 2009 season is set for Jan. 29-31 out of Tavares, Fla. The Bassmaster Southern Open on the Harris Chain of Lakes will run Thursday-Saturday. The daily takeoffs and weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public, will be at Wooton Park, 200 South Rockingham Ave., Tavares. Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. ET and the weigh-ins are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

Open pros are competing for a $45,000 first-place prize and points that count toward qualifying for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series.

SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS: “Having already qualified for the 2009 Classic helped me fish in a very relaxed way in the 2008 Elite season. I could focus on fishing rather than on winning points. There’s something about that dynamic that worked for me.” — 2008 Classic winner Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, on how he managed a fifth-place finish in points in the Bassmaster Elite Series 2008 season to earn a 2009 Classic berth, even though his Classic crown guaranteed him an entry

Bassmaster Classic Anyone's Game

Courtesy: BASS

January 21, 2009

Fifty-One Competitors, 51 Potential Victors: The 2009 Bassmaster Classic Shapes Up as Anyone’s Game


With a field of 51 of the world’s most accomplished anglers, the Feb. 20-22 Bassmaster Classic out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., comes with only one guarantee: three days of drama as the competitors battle for the coveted Classic crown and $500,000 first-place prize.

The competition water is the Red River, known as a challenging fishery full of bass. Who will catch them three days in a row, amass the most weight and go home as victor of the 39th Classic?

The fact is any one of the 51 anglers is more than capable of winning. That’s one reason the Classic is the most talked-about, most anticipated competition in the sport.

The field is diverse: 50 men, 1 woman; six past Classic champions and 12 Classic rookies; nine with at least one Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title to their names; and representatives of 23 states, with Alabama topping the list with nine anglers (see list below).

Each competitor possesses fishing skills and accomplishments that make him or her unique, yet several stand out for possessing traits no other 2009 Classic contender can claim. Among the unique qualifiers are:

— Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala.: As the first woman to compete in a Bassmaster Classic, Bain-Moore will command the spotlight. She qualified by winning the 2008 Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year title. She also won the 2008 WBT Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

— Alton Jones of Waco, Texas: He’s the defending champion, but he said he’s not feeling the pressure to repeat — at least not yet.

“There’s always pressure associated with the Classic,” said Jones, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro. “Having won it, I understand better than ever the importance of winning a Bassmaster Classic. It heightens your drive to achieve something as lofty as a Classic win. It’s every fisherman’s dream.

“Back-to-backs is an extremely difficult feat. It is kind of cool to be the only one in the field who has the chance to do that this year.”

— Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., on three counts: He’ll be fishing a record 32nd Classic, he holds four Classic titles and he has achieved back-to-back Classic wins (1976, 1977). On all three points, Clunn, an Elite Series pro, stands far above any other angler in BASS history.

— Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., on two counts: He is the reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster AOY and holds a total of four AOY titles, more than any other Classic angler. VanDam, with two Classic victories (2001 and 2005) and Clunn are the only 2009 crown contenders with multiple Classic wins to their names.

— Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala.: Along with five other contenders, he will compete in his

10th Classic, but along with VanDam, the consistent Elite pro is the one of two anglers to string 10 Classic appearances in a row.

“It’s the biggest event of the year. You really start getting ramped up as it starts getting close, and it’s close now. I’m looking forward to the Red River. It’s a place I’ve struggled on in the past, but I’ve had some really good practice days, so hopefully I can put it together this year.”

— Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La.: Another Elite pro, he’s the only home-state competitor.

“I don’t think that really gives me an advantage, but I am a river fisherman — I grew up fishing the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers,” Hackney said. “The Red River is my favorite body of water in the state of Louisiana. It changes daily, there’s plenty of water for anglers to fish and there are a lot of variables.

“For many reasons, the Classic is different than any other tournament. It should be the easiest tournament to win. It only lasts for three days, there are only 51 competitors, but for some reason it’s the hardest.”


The public is invited to daily launches presented by the Red River Waterway Commission at 7:15 a.m. CT, Feb. 20-22, at the Red River South Marina, Highway 71 South in Bossier City. Also free and open to the public, the daily weigh-ins will be at the CenturyTel Center, 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City. Doors will open each day at 3:30 p.m.

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.



2009 Bassmaster Classic Field (alphabetical by state)


Alabama

Kim Bain-Moore, Alabaster

Boyd Duckett, Demopolis

Matt Herren, Trussville

Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals

Randy Howell, Springville

Steve Kennedy, Auburn

Kotaro Kiriyama, Moody

Aaron Martens, Leeds

Greg Pugh, Cullman



Arizona

Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City



Arkansas

Mark Davis, Mount Ida

Mike McClelland, Bella Vista

Scott Rook, Little Rock



California

Ish Monroe, Hughson

Skeet Reese, Auburn



Florida

Shaw Grigsby, Gainesville

Bryan Hudgins, Orange Park

Bobby Lane, Lakeland

Bernie Schultz, Gainesville

Terry Scroggins, San Mateo

Peter Thliveros, St. Augustine



Georgia

Waine Pittman, Villa Rica



Iowa

Terry Fitzpatrick, Waukon



Kansas

Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira



Kentucky

Kevin Wirth, Crestwood



Louisiana

Greg Hackney, Gonzales



Michigan

Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo



Missouri

Rick Clunn, Ava

Brian Snowden, Reeds Spring



Montana

Jay Evans, Corvallis



New Hampshire

Scott Parker, Londonderry



New Jersey

Michael Iaconelli, Runnemede



North Carolina

Dustin Wilks, Rocky Mount

Dave Wolak, Wake Forest



Ohio

Bill Lowen, North Bend



Oklahoma

Edwin Evers, Talala

Kenyon Hill, Norman

Fred Roumbanis, Bixby



Pennsylvania

Ken Baumgardner, Monongahela



South Carolina

Casey Ashley, Donalds

Davy Hite, Ninety Six



South Dakota

Jami Fralick, Martin



Texas

Michael Burns, Plano

Todd Faircloth, Jasper

Alton Jones, Waco

Kelly Jordon, Mineola

Gary Klein, Weatherford

Bryan Schmidt, Olney

Byron Velvick, Del Rio



Virginia

Rick Morris, Lake Gaston

BASS Reporter’s Notebook: 2008 BASS Season Set Records

Year Marked Milestones and Made History



In 2008, BASS milestones were marked, records set and new pages written in the history of professional bass fishing. As the close of the year draws near, let’s highlight a few of the year’s most notable stories:


Four-Day BASS Weight Record Set: On April 6, Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., blasted the BASS four-day heaviest catch mark by nearly 10 pounds. He established the record for a five-bass-limit weight when he won the Bassmaster Elite Series Lone Star Shootout on Texas’ Falcon Lake with a total of 132 pounds, 8 ounces.

Elite pro Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., had held the record for almost a year with his 122-14 from California’s Clear Lake.

BASS Marks 40th Year: A lot has changed since 1968, the year Ray Scott founded the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society in Montgomery, Ala., but the organization retains its original mission: to serve bass anglers worldwide. The 40th anniversary year brought ceremonies, retrospectives and celebrations as well as new member benefits, such as a beefed-up Web site and offerings such as Digital Bassmaster.

QUADS FOR KVD: With two more wins in 2008, Kevin VanDam became the first pro to own four Bassmaster Elite Series event titles.

The Elite pro from Kalamazoo, Mich., took the Citrus Slam in March, then the Bluegrass Brawl in June. VanDam wrapped up his remarkable 2008 season by capturing his fourth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. VanDam joins Roland Martin, who scored nine AOY awards, as the only other angler to win the prestigious award more than three times.

32-Time Classic Qualifier: The 2008 BASS season wrapped up with Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., qualifying for his 32nd Bassmaster Classic, coming up Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

A four-time Classic champion (1976, 1977, 1984, 1990), Clunn actually qualified twice for the 2009 Classic. The first time was on Oct. 18, when Elite pro Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., earned a Classic spot through the Bassmaster Southern Open. The berth Lane won through the Elite Series was then awarded to Clunn, next on the Elite qualifying list. Two weeks later, Clunn captured his own Classic berth through the Bassmaster Central Open division on Nov. 1.

First Woman Qualifies for Classic: Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., became the first woman to qualify for a Classic when she won the 2008 Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year title.

Bain-Moore, 28, will be up against 50 other anglers for the Classic’s $500,000 first-place prize. The Feb. 20-22 event will be contested on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

Over the next few months, fans can follow Bain-Moore by reading her new Bassmaster.com blog.

IN THE HUNT. Shaw Grigsby is as passionate about hunting as he is about fishing, but he rarely picks up his rifle. For the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Gainesville, Fla., it’s all about bow hunting.

This time of year, he spends as much time as he can hunting deer on his place in South Carolina near Santee Cooper Reservoir. When he’s at home, the quarry is wild hogs, which are prolific in central Florida.

“I just love shooting a bow,” he said. “With a rifle, you can get a deer at 300, 400 yards. With a bow, you almost have to be able to spit on them. The stealth that it takes to get the animal that close — to me, that’s what hunting is all about.”

He said he took up archery after trying out a bow at an outdoor sports show. Over the years, he’s built his skills to be accurate to about 80 yards.

“I’d take the bow with me out on the (Bassmaster) tour, set up a target outside the motel, and shoot, shoot, shoot, and have fun with it,” Grigsby said. “Just learning to shoot 20, 25, then 30 yards — when you are getting started, just hitting the target is a big deal.”

Grigsby, who qualified in 2008 for his 11th Bassmaster Classic appearance, said he often hunts with his 21-year-old son, Shaw Eric. His primary teacher has been his father, who has passed on not only the mechanics of the sport, but management practices that help ensure healthy deer herds. The meat is never wasted in the Grigsby family.

“I love eating venison,” Grigsby said. “Deer meat is extremely healthy. It’s very low-fat, and has enzymes you can’t get from store-bought meat. We have made our own deer sausage, but now have it made at a place in South Carolina that makes great spicy sausage. But we still process a lot of our own meat.”

WAY TO SAY THANKS. After Sherwood, Ark., angler Kathy Crowder became the first woman to win a BASS co-angler competition, she decided to send personalized thank-you baskets to each of the three pros with whom she was paired.

Crowder came out on top in the co-angler division Nov. 1 at Lake Texoma in the season finale of the Bassmaster Central Open circuit. Her Open win came just one week after Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., became the first woman to qualify for a Bassmaster Classic. Bain-Moore earned her berth by winning the Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year race.

Aaron Johnson of Bossier City, La.; Logan Sherrer of Shongaloo, La.; and John “Nick” Aber of Piedmont, Okla., are getting gift baskets packed with “some of my favorites,” Crowder said.

Besides her favorite coffees, chocolates and other goodies, she’s packing the baskets with lures.

The choice for Sherrer’s basket was a War Eagle buzzbait “so he’d have a brand-name buzzbait in his box,” said Crowder. Sherrer’s loan of what Crowder described as a “no-name” white buzzbait resulted in a 4-pound, 2-ounce bass for Crowder. It was good enough for Big Bass honors on Day 2 at the Texoma event, and helped her into the final-day cut.

She packed Johnson’s basket with a shallow-running Daiwa crankbait, one of her favorites. For Aber, the lure will be a customized job. Crowder said she’s waiting for the components to arrive. “Let’s just say it will be a special bait,” she said, “so it won’t spoil the surprise.”

Crowder plans to move into the pro division of the Central Open in 2009.

HOLIDAY. Three Bassmaster Elite Series pros took a day off last week — to go fishing.Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Fla., and Derek Remitz of Grant, Ala., got together for a day trip to Florida’s Cedar Key to go grouper fishing.

“We actually took a day for just playing,” Grigsby said. “I think we caught seven, eight, nine grouper, something like that. Nothing real big, just keeper-size, and a ton of sea bass and a bunch of grunts (a saltwater panfish). We just had a good time.”

EXCITING DAYS. “It's been pretty crazy juggling so many obligations at once. Every day is a new experience.” — Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., in her new blog on Bassmaster.com, in which she will describe what it’s like to be the first woman to qualify for a Bassmaster Classic.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com. for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Alabama's Kim Bain Takes Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship; Secures Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year

Becomes First Woman to Earn Bassmaster Classic Berth


October 25, 2008
Hot Springs, AR

Story & Photo Courtesy of B.A.S.S.

With a victory in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors, Kim Bain finished the season just as she started it. To kick off her first season of WBT competition, Bain of Alabaster, Ala., scored victory on Texas’ Lake Lewisville in April.

Saturday, she came full circle, outlasting 19 other competitors with a three-day total of 23 pounds, 8 ounces, on Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton, which was enough to earn the top prize of a $55,000 boat package and $5,000.

Buoyed by her customary Day 2 charge, Bain used the victory to accumulate the most points in the Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year Race. With the AOY, Bain earned the subsequent Bassmaster Classic berth and will become the first woman angler to fish the marquee event in its 39-year history.

With history on the line, Bain was able to hold off nerves and hard-charging Audrey McQueen of Eagar, Ariz., climbing from seventh on Thursday into the lead Friday and not relinquishing on the final day of competition.

“I was so excited I had a rough start today,” said Bain, 28. “I lost two fish in the first hour of competition and I got very frustrated. But I was able to settle down and stick with what I knew would work.”

Bain, who caught her limit by noon, worked pockets of grass, targeting water that was 3 to 4 feet deep. She primarily worked a Reactions Innovations Trixie Shark in two productive spots she located during practice. While the Trixie Shark was her main lure, she mixed in a finesse worm and a crankbait throughout the competition.

Bain now will set her sights on the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., and the Red River. She has four months to prepare for the competition.

“I’m going to use the time and relax,” said Bain. “This is such an accomplishment that I really need some time to reflect.”

McQueen, who posed the biggest threat to Bain, posted a three-day total of 21 pounds, 11 ounces. Amazingly, she finished the first day of competition in 19th place, but used the biggest limit of the tournament Friday, a 12-5 bag, to move up to second place and vault into contention.
She rounded out her Championship event with 7 pounds, 12 ounces, on Saturday, a solid limit but ultimately not enough to overtake Bain. McQueen was able to figure out Hamilton even though she spent only the official practice day on the fishery. McQueen is four months pregnant and received last-minute permission from her doctor to compete and had little time to prepare for the Championship.

An eight-time champion elk caller, the Arizona pro exclusively used a Texas-rigged Zoom green pumpkin finesse worm.

“I had a fantastic tournament and really, I had low expectations coming in,” said McQueen. “But I put myself in position. I am kicking myself because I didn’t change my hooks on the first day of the event. Making that adjustment made all the difference on the final two days.”

Rounding out the top five was Thursday leader Debra Petrowski of Arlington, Texas, in third with 16-6; Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, in fourth with 15-1 and 2007 WBT Championship winner Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., with 14-11.

Winning the co-angler division and a $37,500 boat package and $3,250 was Barbara Gaskins of Suffolk, Va. Gaskins posted a three-day total of 9 pounds, 5 ounces and outlasted Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., in second with 8-0 and Debra Cook of Gardendale, Ala., in third with 7-14.

Sponsors of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour include Academy Sports & Outdoors, Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance, Mercury, Skeeter, Yamaha, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Legend Boats, MoGills and Mustang.

Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship presented by Academy Sports & OutdoorsLake HamiltonHot Springs, Ark.Oct. 23-25FieldTwenty pros and co-anglers fish all three days of competitionLaunch/Weigh-in7:00 a.m. CT/3:00 p.m. CTAndrew H. Hulsey Fish Hatchery 350 Fish Hatchery Rd. Hot Springs, AR 71913

About BASS
For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

2008 WOMEN’S BASSMASTER TOUR PRESENTED BY ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS-
FINAL

2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship 10/23-10/25 Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs AR. (BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kim Bain Alabaster, AL 15 23-08 310 $60,000.00 Day 1: 5 05-02 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 07-08 2. Audrey McQueen Eagar, AZ 12 21-11 295 $43,000.00 Day 1: 2 01-10 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 07-12 3. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 13 16-06 295 $5,000.00 Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 4 04-05 Day 3: 4 04-05 4. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 13 15-01 285 $4,000.00 Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 5 05-09 Day 3: 3 03-02 5. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 12 14-11 280 $3,500.00 Day 1: 5 04-15 Day 2: 2 02-07 Day 3: 5 07-05 6. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 13 14-10 276 $3,250.00 Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 5 06-03 Day 3: 3 02-14 7. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 10 12-15 272 $3,000.00 Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 3 02-13 Day 3: 5 07-01 8. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 9 12-03 268 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 3 04-03 Day 3: 1 01-04 9. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 9 11-15 264 $2,250.00 Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 4 05-00 Day 3: 3 04-07 10. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, TX 9 11-06 260 $2,200.00 Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 03-02 Day 3: 3 04-04 11. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 9 10-15 257 $2,150.00 Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 5 06-12 Day 3: 2 01-15 12. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 10 10-05 254 $2,100.00 Day 1: 2 01-13 Day 2: 5 06-01 Day 3: 3 02-07 13. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 10 10-04 251 $2,050.00 Day 1: 5 05-00 Day 2: 2 02-04 Day 3: 3 03-00 14. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 9 10-02 248 $2,000.00 Day 1: 4 04-15 Day 2: 3 02-15 Day 3: 2 02-04 15. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 10 09-14 245 $2,000.00 Day 1: 5 05-05 Day 2: 3 02-05 Day 3: 2 02-04 16. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 9 09-05 243 $2,000.00 Day 1: 5 05-15 Day 2: 3 02-10 Day 3: 1 00-12 17. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 10 08-13 241 $2,000.00 Day 1: 5 04-05 Day 2: 1 01-04 Day 3: 4 03-04 18. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 6 05-10 239 $2,000.00 Day 1: 4 03-15 Day 2: 2 01-11 Day 3: 0 00-00 19. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 5 05-04 237 $2,000.00 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-13 Day 3: 2 01-07 20. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 4 04-00 235 $2,000.00 Day 1: 2 02-00 Day 2: 2 02-00 Day 3: 0 00-00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass Day 2 Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 01-04 $0.00 3 Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 01-04 $0.00
Big BASS of Tournament Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 04-06 $0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 10 73 83-03 2 6 68 88-08 3 4 56 67-03 ---------------------------------- 20 197 238-14
2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship 10/23-10/25 Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs AR. (NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 8 09-05 305 $40,750.00 Day 1: 3 02-13 Day 2: 3 03-06 Day 3: 2 03-02 2. Monica Altman Angier, NC 9 08-00 295 $34,500.00 Day 1: 4 03-06 Day 2: 1 00-13 Day 3: 4 03-13 3. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 6 07-14 295 $3,500.00 Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 2 03-04 Day 3: 1 01-00 4. Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 4 07-04 285 $3,000.00 Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 2 01-13 Day 3: 1 04-06 5. Patti James Dayton, TX 5 06-11 280 $2,500.00 Day 1: 2 01-09 Day 2: 2 04-04 Day 3: 1 00-14 6. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 4 06-08 281 $2,000.00 Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 2 02-00 Day 3: 0 00-00 7. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 5 05-06 272 $1,500.00 Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 2 02-03 Day 3: 1 00-11 8. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, TX 6 05-05 264 $1,400.00 Day 1: 3 02-11 Day 2: 2 01-10 Day 3: 1 01-00 8. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 6 05-05 264 $1,400.00 Day 1: 3 02-14 Day 2: 2 01-12 Day 3: 1 00-11 8. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 5 05-05 264 $1,400.00 Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 2 01-13 Day 3: 0 00-00 11. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 5 05-00 257 $1,300.00 Day 1: 2 01-11 Day 2: 1 01-01 Day 3: 2 02-04 12. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 4 04-15 254 $1,250.00 Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 2 02-11 Day 3: 0 00-00 13. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 4 04-05 251 $1,200.00 Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 3 03-05 Day 3: 0 00-00 14. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 3 04-02 248 $1,100.00 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-02 Day 3: 0 00-00 15. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 3 03-00 245 $1,100.00 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 3 03-00 16. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 2 02-07 243 $1,100.00 Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 1 01-07 17. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 2 01-15 241 $1,100.00 Day 1: 2 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 0 00-00 18. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 1 01-06 239 $1,100.00 Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 0 00-00 19. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-01 237 $1,100.00 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 1 01-01 20. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 1 00-15 235 $1,100.00 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 1 00-15 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass Day 1 Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 01-06 $0.00 2 Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 01-01 $0.00 3 Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 04-06 $0.00
Big BASS of Tournament Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 04-06 $0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 0 35 37-12 2 0 29 34-01 3 0 20 24-04 ---------------------------------- 0 84 96-01

2009 Women's Bassmaster Tour Schedule Released

September 17, 2008

Story Courtesy of BASS Communications

BASS Announces Schedule for 2009 Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports &Outdoors

BASS announced today that, in 2009, the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors will visit fisheries in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee for its four regular-season events. Building on its landmark announcement before this past season, the circuit will continue to provide a direct qualifying berth into bass fishing’s premier event, the Bassmaster Classic.

In 2009, the WBT will again stage five tournaments, four regular-season events and the Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors. The top 20 anglers in the regular season will qualify for the Championship based on their Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year standings, and the winner of the AOY will go on to compete in the Bassmaster Classic. The location for the Championship will be announced at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

“The WBT has made some great strides and continues to receive significant attention from media, fans and anglers,” said Jamie Wilkinson, senior director of event operations and business development, BASS. “We established the circuit to provide a tournament venue for an underserved market, and we are always looking to grow the profile of the format.”

The 2009 season will kick off March 26-28 out of Ouachita River and West Monroe, La. BASS previously has held events on Ouachita but the season opener will mark the first WBT event on the spacious fishery.

The second event will be held April 23-25 on Lake Neely Henry and out of Gadsden, Ala. The circuit last visited the Alabama fishery in 2008 and has visited Neely Henry three times in its three-year history. Pam Martin-Wells, a three-time WBT winner, took the 2008 event with a three-day total of 36 pounds, 1 ounce, which was enough to hold off Lucy Mize of Ben Lomond, Ark., by more than 10 pounds.

Next, anglers will compete June 4-6 on the Arkansas River out of Little Rock, Ark. The Arkansas River has hosted five BASS events, including two Bassmaster Classics. The WBT visit will be the first since a Bassmaster Major was held on the fishery in 2006. Mize, wife of Bassmaster Elite Series angler Jimmy Mize, figures to be the local favorite.

Finally, anglers will visit Old Hickory Lake on Sept. 10-12 out of Hendersonville, Tenn., for the fourth event of the season. Site of Bassmaster Elite Series and WBT events in 2008, Old Hickory yielded a three-day winning total of 36 pounds, 5 ounces to Dianna Clark at the June WBT event.

Entry fees will be collected for all five events. Tournament payouts and rules can be found at http://www.bassmaster.com/">www.Bassmaster.com. Once again, anglers will be able to drop their lowest finish from the four regular-season events before the regular-season standings are finalized and the Championship berths are decided.

At each event, the champion pro will receive $1,000 in addition to a fully-rigged boat package valued at $55,000. The winning co-angler will receive $500 plus a boat package valued at $25,000.

The full schedule with hosts can be found below. While anglers are keeping an eye on the 2009 season, the 2008 season is in full swing. This week, WBT anglers will converge on Clarks Hill Lake and Evans, Ga., for the fourth event of the season. The top 20 qualifiers for the WBT Championship will be determined in Georgia and the Championship event is slated for Oct. 23-25 on Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton.

The first stand-alone championship in WBT history will determine the 2008 Toyota WBT Angler of the Year, who will make history as the first female angler to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. In addition, the AOY recipient will take home a Toyota Tundra. Academy Sports & Outdoors, a Katy, Texas-based sporting goods retailer, has reaped the benefits of sponsoring the WBT this past season.

“Academy Sports and Outdoors is pleased to sponsor the 2008 Women’s Bassmaster Tour,” said Jerry deBin, Academy’s director of outdoor marketing. “With 110 stores in 11 Southern states and growing, Academy is ideally positioned to support the WBT throughout the South, where bass fishing is a way of life. Academy already supports female athletes in our core business, and sponsoring the WBT is just one more way to show it."

Registration for the four 2009 regular-season events can be completed at www.Bassmaster.com. Priority registration is open to the top 50 pros and co-anglers in the 2008 Toyota WBT Angler of the Year standings at 9 a.m. ET Monday, Nov. 3.

Registration will open at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, for all BASS members who wish to sign up for all four regular-season events. Those who wish to sign up for single events can register beginning at noon Monday, Nov. 17.

For entry fee information and other Women’s Bassmaster Tour information, visit www.Bassmaster.com.

Fans can visit Academy stores for additional information on the WBT and find out more about the organization, at www.Academy.com.

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.

Sponsors of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour include Academy Sports & Outdoors, Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance, Mercury, Skeeter, Yamaha, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Legend Boats, MoGills and Mustang.

About BASS
For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Schedule: 2009 Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Date Fishery Host City Local Sponsor

March 26-28 Ouachita River West Monroe, La. Monroe-West Monroe Convention &
Visitor’s Bureau

April 23-25 Lake Neely Henry Gadsden, Ala. City of Gadsden

June 4-6 Arkansas River Little Rock, Ark. Little Rock Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Sept. 10-12 Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn. Sumner County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Anglers Willing to Take Action to Protect Favorite Fishing Spots

From Southwick Associates

June 3, 2008

An overwhelming majority of anglers would take positive, preventive action if one of their favorite fishing spots were threatened with government closure, according to a recent survey.

In the May 2008 survey of 2,017 anglers, nearly all said they would take action if they learned that a government entity was considering closing one of their favorite fishing spots. A mere 0.02% responded that they would do nothing, either because they do not have enough time or because the threatened closure is not important to them.

Of the possible actions listed in the survey, the largest number of anglers (77%) stated they would e-mail their state or federal legislative representatives to protest the threatened closure. A further 49% said they would write a letter to their state or federal representatives, while 44% said they would telephone their representatives.

In other possible actions named in the survey, 33% of anglers said they would be willing to join organized demonstrations and protests. Another 29% stated they would write letters to newspaper editors, and 22% said they would visit fishing clubs to find out how they could be involved in stopping the closure. Slightly more than 21% stated that they would take other actions not listed in the survey.

From the survey results, it appears clear that the vast majority of anglers are willing to take action to prevent the loss of favorite fishing spots. However, according to Rob Southwick of AnglerSurvey.com, “In some past fishing closure issues, many anglers, though willing, did not take action. Either they did not know who to contact or felt their voice would not be heard. As with any political issue, people need help and encouragement if they are to invest time and become involved.”

Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com helps the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The results are scientifically analyzed to reflect all U.S. anglers. For more information, contact Rob Southwick at 904-277-9765.