Professional Angler's Association News

PAA Member Jason Quinn Supports College Anglers in Little Rock, Ark. Monday July 7 @ Academy Sports

2008-07-03T20:18:01Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Little Rock, Arkansas- The Under Armour College Bass National Championship, the nation’s most prestigious collegiate bass fishing tournament, today announced the launch of their new, community-focused initiative to be held on July 7, prior to the start of the 2008 championship. Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar will allow local youth to learn from the country’s top young anglers at a free fishing and conservation clinic taught by the collegiate competitors themselves.

“The Under Armour College Bass National Championship was created as a way to promote bass fishing at the college level and increase interest in the sport,” said Steve Levi, general manager of fishing properties at Career Sports & Entertainment, the agency that owns the CBNC. “By pairing collegiate anglers with even younger fans of fishing, we have the chance to instill in kids a love for the outdoors at an early age.”

Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar will make its debut on Monday, July 7 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Academy Sports + Outdoors in Little Rock (11400 West Markham). Ages seven and up are welcome and all attendees will receive a goodie bag and a photo with the anglers upon completion. The collegiate anglers will also be joined by Costa Del Mar Elite Series Pros Jason Quinn, Kevin Short and Todd Faircloth, who will be on hand to sign autographs and hold a drawing for a free pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses.

In addition, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Black Bass Program will be on hand to display their 1,000 gallon Mobile Aquarium to showcase the black bass and other Arkansas freshwater species. The AGFC is partnering with the Under Armour College Bass National Championship to supply a live release boat and fish care life support system for each day of the event.

Now in its fourth year, the Under Armour College Bass National Championship has become the nation’s most prestigious collegiate tournament for bass fishing. This year’s event will feature approximately 56 teams representing colleges and universities across the United States and will air on ESPNU later this summer.

To attend Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar, RSVP to Melanie Jarrett at mjarrett@careersports.com. For more information and upcoming announcements visit www.CollegeBass.com.

Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar

When: Monday, July 7 from 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Where: Academy Sports + Outdoors

11400 West Markham
Little Rock, Ark. 72211

Who: Local youth (free admission)

About the Under Armour College Bass National Championship:

Created in 2004, the Under Armour College Bass National Championship has quickly evolved into the most prestigious collegiate championship for bass fishing. This year’s event will feature approximately 56 teams representing colleges across the United States. The 2008 event will be televised on ESPNU this summer.

Sponsors of the 2008 Under Armour College Bass National Championship include Under Armour, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Strike King, Costa Del Mar, Motorguide, Triton Boats, Mercury and Falcon Rods.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand’s moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional natural fiber products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.underarmour.com.

Media Contact
Melanie Jarrett Career Sports & Entertainment (770) 955-1300, (404) 307-8388 (Cell) or mjarrett@careersportsentertainment.com

Second Wave of PAA Auctions Posted on EBay

2008-07-02T03:42:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Benton, Ky. – In May, the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) posted several items on the popular auction site, EBay as a fundraiser for PAA and Catch-A-Dream; the official charity of the PAA.

The initial offerings which included donations from PAA members Kevin VanDam, Tim Horton, Dan Morehead and Trevor Knight raised more than $1500, which will be split between the two organizations.

Now, a second wave of items, donated by PAA members has been posted; they can be found by clicking on the link below.

The newly available items are:
· Mark Davis 2001 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Jersey, personally autographed by Davis.
· Ish Monroe Autographed Jersey, worn during his 2006 victory on Lake Amistad, the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series event
· Jay Yelas 2007 FLW Angler of the Year Skeeter Jersey, worn by Jay during his Land O’ Lakes FLW Angler of the Year season. Includes an autographed letter from Yelas.
· Long sleeved 2007 Kelly Jordon Skeeter Jersey, worn during the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series
· Tim Horton autographed 2000 Pro Craft jersey, worn during Horton’s win on Lake Toho in the Top 150.
· Autographed Shaw Grigsby dye sublimated jersey worn during the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series
· Long sleeved embroidered Gary Klein jersey, worn during competition on the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series.
· Autographed Denny Brauer 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series embroidered jersey.
· Autographed Denny Brauer Wheaties box, commemorates Brauer’s 1998 FLW Angler of the Year title.
· Strike King Cap, autographed by all members of Strike King’s National Pro Staff; includes, Kevin VanDam, Denny Brauer, Mark Davis, Greg Hackney, Mark Menendez, Mike Wurm, James Niggemeyer, Mark Rose, Kim Stricker and Debra Hengst.
· Two autographed Classic Patterns DVD’s by Tim Horton.
·
These limited edition collectors’ items can be found at PAA’ s EBay Auction

Proceeds from the auctions will be used as a fundraiser for both the PAA and Catch-A-Dream. Catch-A-Dream is a program for children with terminal or life threatening illnesses. Catch-A-Dream may be contacted through their website at www.catchadream.org.

For more information on the auction or the PAA, contact Jamie Hairgrove at jamie@fishpaa.com.

PAA Member Sandy Melvin Learns From Saltwater

2008-07-01T21:19:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Photo Courtesy BASS ZONE.com / Dan O’Sullivan

FLW Tour pro Sandy Melvin, a longstanding member of the PAA, makes no bones about it – chasing green and brown fish in freshwater is his “first love.” But he supplements that love through guiding in saltwater near his Florida home, and he says the combination of the two has helped him in both venues.

“The saltwater fishing for snook and redfish has been especially helpful in giving me confidence to operate a boat in the skinniest water I can find,” he said. “When the water is crystal clear and highly pressured, I know how to be stealthy and make the right presentation.”

He wasn’t raised a flats rat, though. He grew up bass fishing in North Carolina and largely gave up fishing of all types when he went away to college. “I chased girls and surfed,” he said. But a few years down the road he moved to the Florida Keys, where he took up serious saltwater fishing while continuing to make runs up to Lake Okeechobee when his schedule allowed.

Later he was employed in restaurant management and in the 1980s he found himself living in Boca Grande, Florida, which is world-renowned for its tarpon fishing. He fished with a number of the local guides and captains and when the restaurant business became tiresome, he helped to turn his wife’s dress shop into what is now Gasparilla Outfitters (www.4tarpon.com) an Orvis-endorsed shop and guide service.

The Quarry

While bass remain his passion, he believes that his varied saltwater prey provide not only worthy adversaries, but also a means by which to improve his bass fishing.

“Snook are just like souped-up bass,” he said. “They are ambush predators. They’re sneaky and they like to lay in wait. It’s just the same attitude. They’re also great fighters – they like to jump.

“Redfish are bruisers, like a brawler in a bar fight.

“And tarpon, they have no equal. There’s nothing like a 150 pound tarpon. They’re just so unpredictable. They’ll jump to the left, to the right, and then come right at you. Once they realize they’re hooked, all bets are off.”

The Benefits

Between his two pursuits, Melvin typically spends over 250 days a year on the water, equally divided between guiding and tournament fishing.

So, does he ever consider giving up the coast-to-coast chase for single digit bass in favor of bigger, stronger saltwater fish closer to home? Occasionally the travel does wear on him, but he’s still intrigued by the hunt. For him, bass fishing still provides a greater thrill and a greater challenge.

“Sometimes saltwater fishing is easy,” he said. “You stumble onto a school or you see birds working. It never changes and you can become complacent. There are a lot more adjustments in bass fishing.”

But ultimately he’d be extremely reluctant to give up either one.

“I like it both,” he said. “I would be bored with one specific type of fishing. This keeps me interested and I’m still learning.”

PAA Member Kevin Wirth Claims Elite Series Title at Old Hickory - PAA Pros Grab Top Five Positions

2008-06-30T17:52:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Photos: BASS Communications / Seigo Saito

Source: BASS Communications – HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., tried a new strategy that made him uncomfortable throughout the Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn on Old Hickory Lake, but the decision and his execution helped him take home the trophy Saturday at the ninth 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series event.

The Elite Series veteran and former Kentucky Derby jockey led from start to finish to claim the $100,000 first-place prize and valuable points toward the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. With a four-day weight of 55 pounds, 10 ounces, Wirth, 45, sealed his first BASS win in 14 years and the first wire-to-wire victory of the 2008 Elite season.

Wirth also rallied to 30th in the AOY standings – the top 36 in the standings will qualify for the Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La. The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.

Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, who is in second place in the AOY title race, finished 10th with and 42-14. He closed the gap between himself and leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., by three more points, now just 12 behind with only two events remaining in the Trail to the Trophy.

Fishing fans can catch all of the action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters on Saturday, July 5, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

After a disappointing Day 3, Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio, rebounded on Day 4 with the Berkley Big Bag of the Day at 14-9 for 50-5 overall. Wirth’s 17-2 catch Thursday won the Berkley Big Bag of the tournament.

Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., held firm in third place with 12-15 for 50 pounds, 0 ounces overall, and he took home the bonus for the Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament for his Day 2 catch of 6-6. Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., was fourth with 48-12, and in a tie for fifth place with 48-10 were 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, and four-time Bassmaster Classic champ Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo. Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kan., who finished seventh with 47-11, weighed one Sunday at 5-8, good for the $1,000 premium for the Purolator Big Bass of the Day.

Wirth said Sunday that on the third day of practice he didn’t like what he was doing, because it went against the grain of how he was accustomed to fishing, but he said he put one rod in his hand and said to himself, “I’m going fishing.”

“I can’t hardly hold my emotions here, you know, because it’s been a long, hard grind,” Wirth said on the weigh-in stage as he fought off tears. “There’s been many a day when you think, man, this is not the right thing to be doing. And right now, this makes it all worth it. Dreams can come true, if you have a dream and stick with it, go get it.”

Wirth’s two biggest fish Sunday came on a buzzbait he hadn’t used the rest of the week. He fished shallow through the competition, mainly flipping a Berkley Power Hog creature bait in green pumpkin.

“I noticed the water come up with a lot of cloud cover, we had some rain last night, so the water was pretty dark,” Wirth said of Sunday’s conditions that led to his using the buzzbait. “I noticed the fish were roaming around and weren’t getting up on the targets. As soon as I pulled in my area I saw a couple flicker up on top, so it had come to me this morning before take-off and I reached in the lock box and tied one on, and it paid off.”

In the Advance Auto Parts Rookie of the Year race, Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., continues to lead with 1,836 points. He is 409 points ahead of second-place Wade Grooms of Bonneau, S.C.

Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., leads the Berkley Heavyweight Award race with 307 pounds, 4 ounces through nine events.

Up next is the July 31-Aug. 3 Empire Chase on Lake Erie and the Niagara River out of Buffalo, the 10th event of 11 Elite Series tournaments in the Trail to the Trophy.

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.

The local sponsor of the Tennessee Triumph is the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.

Location and Field Tennessee presented by Longhorn Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn. June 26-29, 2008

Field
106 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Sanders Ferry Park
100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd.
Hendersonville, TN
6 a.m./2:30 p.m. CT

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 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
Or
Jenny Zimmerman (on site), (407) 319-5014 or jennifer.j.zimmerman@espn.com

Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn

2008 Elite Series – Tennessee Triumph PRO 06/26-06/29 Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4

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

1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 20 55-10 320 $113,000.00 Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 12-01 Day 4: 5 10-13
2. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 20 50-05 295 $31,000.00 Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 8-09 Day 4: 5 14-09
3. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 20 50-00 290 $27,000.00 Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 8-07 Day 4: 5 12-15
4. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 20 48-12 285 $18,000.00 Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 14-03 Day 4: 5 11-14
5. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 20 48-10 278 $16,250.00 Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 15-11 Day 4: 5 12-03
5. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 19 48-10 278 $16,250.00 Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 12-03 Day 4: 4 7-00
7. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 20 47-11 272 $16,000.00 Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 10-08 Day 4: 5 14-06
8. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 20 44-14 268 $16,000.00 Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 10-03
9. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20 44-03 264 $14,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 9-12 Day 4: 5 9-05
10. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 20 42-14 260 $13,500.00 Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 9-00 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 5 9-06
11. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 19 42-04 257 $13,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 4 10-10 Day 4: 5 8-04
12. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 19 42-03 254 $12,300.00 Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 4 8-11 Day 4: 5 8-04
———————————————————————————————————-

Purolator Big Bass
Day 1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 6-04 $1,000.00 2 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6-06 $1,000.00 3 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 4-07 $500.00 3 Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 4-07 $500.00 4 Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5-08 $1,000.00

Purolator Big Bass of Tournament Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6-06 $1,000.00

Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year Leader Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. $1,000.00

Berkley Big Bag
Day 1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 17-02 $1,000.00 2 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15-10 $1,000.00 3 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15-14 $1,000.00 4 Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 14-09 $1,000.00

Berkley Big Bag of Tournament Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 17-02 $10,000.00

———————————————————————————————————-
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 60 422 883-02 2 50 392 815-05 3 29 197 399-05 4 11 59 129-02
————————————————— 150 1070 2226-14

PAA Member Kevin Wirth Holds Day three Lead at Old Hickory - PAA Pros Prominent in Standings

2008-06-29T20:43:01Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Photos by BASS Communications / Seigo Saito

Source: BASS Communications – HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – With his lightest bag of the week and a smile on his face nonetheless, Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., came to the Bassmaster Elite Series weigh-in stage early Saturday, content that he had enough to maintain the lead through the third day of the Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn. He was right.

Wirth, 45, brought a five-fish limit weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounce to the scales and held the lead for Day 3 on Old Hickory Lake. For the second straight day, the Elite Series veteran and former Kentucky Derby jockey stayed ahead of four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., by just more than 3 pounds with 44 pounds, 13 ounces overall heading into Day 4, when just the top 12 pros will compete for the $100,000 first-place prize.

Equally steady and confident, Clunn didn’t let Wirth’s lead open up, weighing in 12-3 Saturday for a total of 41-10. Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., also held his place, in third with 37-1 overall. Rounding out the top five were Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., with 36-14, and 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, whose solid 15-11 on the day gave him a nice push up from a tie for 25th to fifth with 36-7 overall.

Wirth said Saturday was his toughest day so far, as the shallow area he’s fishing makes it difficult for spectator boats to follow, and he had more fans than any previous day hanging around to watch him. Regardless, Wirth’s aim was to have fun and not get in any hurry.

“I felt happy when I caught my first keeper today, happy when I caught my second keeper – I didn’t care what size they were today,” said Wirth, who last won a BASS tournament in 1994. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going fishing.”

Wirth is rotating through several areas, often getting bites after leaving an area alone for a time and coming back. He said he’s trying to manage fish while also being mindful of the long runs he’s making. He had a limit by 9 a.m. and was comfortable enough with what he had by mid-afternoon to come in. He said he has been saving one last place for Sunday.

“I don’t think I’ll catch any real giant fish in there,” Wirth said, “but I feel like I could go in there and catch 12-15 pounds.”

Other top-12 finishes of note: Ray Sedgwick of Cross, S.C., had the Berkley Big Bag of the day with 15-14, launching himself from 43rd to eighth place with 34-11 overall. Sedgwick also tied Steve Daniel of Clewiston, Fla., for Purolator Big Bass of the Day honors with a bass weighing 4-7; 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., goes into the final day in seventh place with 34-14 overall; and Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, in second place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings and just 15 points behind AOY points leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., is 11th with 33-8 overall.

The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.

Meanwhile, reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., bounced back from 35th to 28th with 28-6; and VanDam, a three-time Angler of the Year and two-time Bassmaster Classic winner, finished 32nd with 27-15.

Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, July 5, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins and real-time leaderboards can be accessed on www.Bassmaster.com.

Clunn, who has been in the top 10 throughout the competition, said he doesn’t have any regrets so far, but he is losing more fish than he’d like. He intends to fish strategically Sunday instead of defensively, as he has been so far.

“I would prefer if I could be gaining some ground on Kevin (Wirth) but I just can’t seem to gain,” said Clunn, 61. “Today was the day I kind of worried about. I’m going to open it up tomorrow.”

Clunn worked a crankbait on two or three stretches of water Saturday, but has caught a few of his bigger fish on a jig through all three days. He hopes to keep mixing it up Sunday and stay in a rhythm.

“Today I was doing it more just because I had to work the same water over and over,” he said of switching from the crankbait to the jig. “I probably would’ve just stayed with the crankbait if I could’ve worked all seven, eight stretches.”

In the co-angler division, Jim McDevitt of Eldon, Mo., claimed the $25,000 top prize and his third BASS victory with a three-day total of 20 pounds, 2 ounces. Tennessee’s Willie Leaver finished second with 19-1 overall, while fellow Tennessean Terry Steele was third with 18-7.

“I jumped in with (Elite Series pro) Derek Remitz and pre-fished with him and (Elite pro) Brad Hallman,” said McDevitt, 56, who also won the co-angler division in the season-opening Sunshine Showdown on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes. “Brad and Derek, for young men, those guys know something – and I’m coachable. And it’s luck. Luck is when preparation collides with opportunity.”

McDevitt, whose first BASS co-angler victory was in 2006, had roughly 25 bites a day. He used a Mag 2 green pumpkin, a Mag 2 electric blue and a Zoom dark red brush hog over the course of the three-day co-angler competition on Old Hickory.

On Sunday, www.Bassmaster.com will provide updates throughout the day and preview the final weigh-in with Hooked Up, live at 2 p.m. CT, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan and ESPN2 Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. Sunday’s other activities include a Berkley Beginner Fishing Class, Skeeter boat demo rides and the Purolator Big Bass Fan $1,000 Giveaway.

Daily tournament launches and weigh-ins will take place at Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd., Hendersonville. Launches begin at 6 a.m. CT and weigh-ins at 2 p.m.

The local sponsor of the Tennessee Triumph is the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Location and Field Tennessee presented by Longhorn Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn. June 26-29, 2008

Field
106 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Sanders Ferry Park
100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd.
Hendersonville, TN
6 a.m./2:30 p.m. CT

About BASS

Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
Or
Jenny Zimmerman (on site), (407) 319-5014 or jennifer.j.zimmerman@espn.com

Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn

2008 Elite Series – Tennessee Triumph PRO 06/26-06/29
Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3

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

1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 44-13 $3,000.00 Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 12-01
2. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 15 41-10 Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 12-03
3. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 37-01 $1,000.00 Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 8-07
4. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 15 36-14 Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 14-03
5. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 36-07 Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 15-11
6. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 15 35-12 Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 8-09
7. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 34-14 Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 9-12
8. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15 34-11 $1,500.00 Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 5 15-14
9. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 14 34-00 $500.00 Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 4 10-10
10. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 14 33-15 Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 4 8-11
11. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 33-08 Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 9-00 Day 3: 5 13-05
12. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 33-05 Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 10-08
12. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 15 33-05 $10,800.00 Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 12-09
14. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 32-01 248 $10,700.00 Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 7-13
15. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 15 32-00 245 $10,600.00 Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 9-10 Day 3: 5 7-02
16. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 13 31-11 243 $10,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 3 4-15
17. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 13 31-07 241 $10,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 4 9-03 Day 3: 4 7-01
18. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 12 31-06 239 $10,500.00 Day 1: 4 7-13 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 3 10-06
19. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 12 31-05 237 $10,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 2 6-08 Day 3: 5 10-08
20. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 15 30-12 235 $10,500.00 Day 1: 5 9-00 Day 2: 5 10-08 Day 3: 5 11-04
21. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 12 30-02 233 $10,250.00 Day 1: 2 7-04 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 10-09
22. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 30-00 231 $10,250.00 Day 1: 5 8-09 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 5 11-00
23. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 15 29-11 229 $10,250.00 Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 9-02 Day 3: 5 8-13
24. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 14 29-10 227 $10,250.00 Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 4 8-05
25. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 13 28-15 224 $10,125.00 Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 3 9-04 Day 3: 5 7-14
25. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 12 28-15 224 $10,125.00 Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 2 2-14
27. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 13 28-09 221 $10,000.00 Day 1: 3 5-06 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 9-03
28. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 12 28-06 219 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 3 4-04 Day 3: 4 8-09
29. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 15 28-04 217 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 7-04 Day 3: 5 7-12
30. Clark Reehm Russellville, Ark. 15 28-02 214 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 9-11 Day 2: 5 9-10 Day 3: 5 8-13
30. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 15 28-02 214 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 7-15 Day 3: 5 10-13
32. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 27-15 211 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 7-05 Day 2: 5 9-13 Day 3: 5 10-13
33. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 13 27-13 209 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 3 5-12 Day 3: 5 10-09
34. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 15 27-11 206 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 7-13 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 7-07
34. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 13 27-11 206 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 3 5-08
36. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15 27-10 203 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 8-08 Day 3: 5 8-10
37. John Crews Salem, Va. 14 27-05 201 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 4 8-00 Day 3: 5 9-02
38. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 27-00 199 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 9-13 Day 2: 5 8-07 Day 3: 5 8-12
39. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 12 26-05 197 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 2 3-00
40. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 11 25-15 195 $10,000.00 Day 1: 4 9-15 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 2 2-11
41. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 14 25-01 193 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 9-08 Day 3: 4 5-10
42. Chris Lane Lakeland, Fla. 12 24-15 190 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 4 9-04 Day 3: 3 4-09
42. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 12 24-15 190 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 9-14 Day 3: 2 4-01
44. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 11 24-11 187 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 3 4-10
45. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 12 23-09 185 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 11-01 Day 3: 2 3-06
46. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 12 23-07 183 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 10-08 Day 3: 2 2-11
47. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 10 22-01 181 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 4 7-00 Day 3: 1 1-13
48. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 21-10 179 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 10 18-09 177 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 5 10-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 8 17-00 175 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 3 5-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
———————————————————————————————————-

Purolator Big Bass
Day 1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 6-04 $1,000.00 2 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6-06 $1,000.00 3 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 4-07 $500.00 3 Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 4-07 $500.00

Berkley Big Bag
Day 1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 17-02 $1,000.00 2 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15-10 $1,000.00 3 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15-14 $1,000.00

———————————————————————————————————-
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 60 422 883-02 2 50 392 815-05 3 29 197 399-05
————————————————— 139 1011 2097-12

PAA Member Kevin Wirth Holds Day 2 Lead at Old Hickory - PAA Pros Howell and Lowen also in Top 5

2008-06-28T01:19:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Photos by BASS Communications / Seigo Saito

Source – BASS Communications: HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., maintained the lead through Friday’s Day 2 of the Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn on Old Hickory Lake with a five-fish limit weighing 15 pounds, 10 ounces. The Bassmaster Elite Series veteran widened his lead to more than 3 pounds for 32 pounds, 12 ounces overall heading into Day 3, when just the top 50 pros and their co-anglers will compete.

Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., shot into second place with 29-7 overall, while Marty Stone of Fayetteville, N.C., who was second after Day 1, slipped to seventh with 25-4 overall, and reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., dropped from third to 35th after weighing in just three fish Friday for 19-13 overall.

Rounding out the top five: Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., with 28-10 overall and the Purolator Big Bass of the day (6 pounds, 6 ounces), Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio, with 27-3 and Davy Hite of Ninety Six, N.C., with 26-12.

Just the top 12 anglers after Day 3 will compete for the $100,000 first-place prize Sunday, the final day. More than the trophy is at stake at the Tennessee Triumph, as the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race is heating up dramatically. With just two events remaining after this one, three-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., leads Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, and Skeet Reese by a shrinking margin. The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.

VanDam, who now leads Faircloth by just 28 points in the AOY race, squeaked into the top 50 at Old Hickory on Friday with 17-2 overall, while Faircloth is tied for 32nd with 20-3. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., leapfrogged Reese for third in the AOY points, now 46 behind VanDam with 20-14 overall and tied for 22nd place in the Tennessee Triumph. Reese is 122 points back in the points race.

With the fishing on the Cumberland River impoundment improving in the afternoon through both days of competition so far, Wirth was able to cull throughout the day Friday after catching his biggest bass – 5 pounds, 5 ounces – around 11 a.m. Wirth is fishing at a depth he’s not used to, but he said the fish have been doing the same thing all week. He added that the conditions – wind, sun or no sun – don’t seem to matter.

“I was real fortunate – this morning I lost a couple, broke a couple off, but I still had a limit at 8:30. Ten or 11 pounds,” said Wirth, 45. “I felt real comfortable and put it in shut-down mode and kind of eased around, tried to expand the water a little bit, see what’s really there. This place is full of fish, they kind of meander around and then pull up on a target.”

Wirth, who has fished nine Bassmaster Classics, has had the Berkley Big Bag through both days at the Tennessee Triumph. His last BASS victory was in 1994 on South Carolina’s Santee Cooper Reservoir.

Clunn, who battled briefly with eventual winner Kevin VanDam for the trophy during the last Elite event on Kentucky Lake out of Gilbertsville, Ky., said he likes how tough Old Hickory is fishing. He’s throwing a crankbait – and occasionally a jig – while working his way through a shallow, flat creek channel that makes it tough for other boats to come and go in the same area.

“This time of year I’m just a little bit better at figuring out the better fish than I am at other times of the year,” said Clunn, 61.

In the co-angler division, Willie Leaver of Tennessee leads the chase for the $25,000 top prize with 15 pounds, 5 ounces. Trailing him are Missouri’s Jim McDevitt, with 13-15, and Tennessee’s Terry Steele, with 13-10.

Daily tournament launches and weigh-ins will take place at Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd., Hendersonville. Launches begin at 6 a.m. CT and weigh-ins at 2 p.m.

Before Saturday’s weigh-in, activities for fans at the park include Bassmaster University’s “Ask the Experts,” a Berkley Beginner Fishing Class, Skeeter boat demo rides and the Purolator Big Bass Fan $1,000 Giveaway.

The local sponsor of the Tennessee Triumph is the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Location and Field Tennessee presented by Longhorn Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn. June 26-29, 2008

Field
106 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Sanders Ferry Park
100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd.
Hendersonville, TN
6 a.m./2:30 p.m. CT

About BASS

Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
Or
Jenny Zimmerman (on site), (407) 319-5014 or jennifer.j.zimmerman@espn.com

Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn

2008 Elite Series – Tennessee Triumph PRO 06/26-06/29
Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 2

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

1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 32-12 $3,000.00 Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-10
2. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 10 29-07 Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01
3. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 10 28-10 $1,000.00 Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-08
4. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 10 27-03 Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-06
5. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 10 26-12 Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-08
6. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 10 26-01 Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-03
7. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 10 25-04 Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 8-15
8. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 10 25-02 Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-00
9. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 10 24-14 Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 9-10
10. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 9 24-06 Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 4 9-03
11. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 10 24-04 Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-14
12. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 10 23-06 Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 12-03
13. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 10 23-05 Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-09
14. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 9 23-04 Day 1: 4 9-15 Day 2: 5 13-05
15. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 10 22-13 Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-11
16. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 10 22-11 Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-05
17. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 10 22-03 Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-15
18. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 21-10 Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-02
19. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 10 21-05 Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 5 12-14
20. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 8 21-01 Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 3 9-04
21. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 9 21-00 Day 1: 4 7-13 Day 2: 5 13-03
22. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 10 20-14 Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 9-02
22. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 10 20-14 Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 9-14
24. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 7 20-13 Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 2 6-08
25. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 10 20-12 Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 10-14
25. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 10 20-12 Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 10-09
25. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 10 20-12 Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 10-08
28. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 10 20-08 Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 7-04
29. Chris Lane Lakeland, Fla. 9 20-06 Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 4 9-04
30. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 10 20-04 Day 1: 5 7-13 Day 2: 5 12-07
30. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 9 20-04 Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 4 7-00
32. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10 20-03 Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 9-00
32. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 10 20-03 Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 11-01
34. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 8 20-01 Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 3 7-02
35. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 8 19-13 Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 3 4-04
36. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 7 19-09 Day 1: 2 7-04 Day 2: 5 12-05
37. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 10 19-08 Day 1: 5 9-00 Day 2: 5 10-08
38. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 10 19-07 Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 9-08
39. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 8 19-06 Day 1: 3 5-06 Day 2: 5 14-00
40. Clark Reehm Russellville, Ark. 10 19-05 Day 1: 5 9-11 Day 2: 5 9-10
41. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 10 19-00 Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 8-08
41. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 10 19-00 Day 1: 5 8-09 Day 2: 5 10-07
43. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 10 18-13 Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 9-11
44. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 10 18-09 Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 5 10-01
45. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 10 18-04 Day 1: 5 9-13 Day 2: 5 8-07
46. John Crews Salem, Va. 9 18-03 Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 4 8-00
47. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 10 17-05 Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 7-15
48. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 8 17-04 Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 3 5-12
49. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 17-02 Day 1: 5 7-05 Day 2: 5 9-13
50. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 8 17-00 Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 3 5-01
51. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 9 16-14 173 Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 6-07
52. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 8 16-03 171 Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 5 9-12
53. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 7 16-02 169 Day 1: 2 6-00 Day 2: 5 10-02
54. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 7 16-01 167 Day 1: 2 2-14 Day 2: 5 13-03
55. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 10 15-13 165 Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 6-09
56. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 7 15-12 163 Day 1: 4 8-14 Day 2: 3 6-14
57. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 7 15-07 161 Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 5 12-08
58. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 6 15-01 159 Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 8-03
59. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 7 14-12 157 Day 1: 3 7-00 Day 2: 4 7-12
60. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 10 14-11 155 Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 7-14
61. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 9 14-10 152 Day 1: 5 8-11 Day 2: 4 5-15
61. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 6 14-10 152 Day 1: 3 8-13 Day 2: 3 5-13
63. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 7 14-08 149 Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 5 10-08
64. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 9 14-06 146 Day 1: 5 9-07 Day 2: 4 4-15
64. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 8 14-06 146 Day 1: 4 7-00 Day 2: 4 7-06
66. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 9 14-02 141 Day 1: 5 7-02 Day 2: 4 7-00
66. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 9 14-02 141 Day 1: 4 5-13 Day 2: 5 8-05
66. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 7 14-02 141 Day 1: 2 3-08 Day 2: 5 10-10
69. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 7 13-15 137 Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 2 3-15
70. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 8 13-13 135 Day 1: 4 6-14 Day 2: 4 6-15
71. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 7 13-12 133 Day 1: 2 3-07 Day 2: 5 10-05
72. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 7 13-10 130 Day 1: 5 8-02 Day 2: 2 5-08
72. Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 7 13-10 130 Day 1: 4 7-15 Day 2: 3 5-11
74. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 8 13-07 127 Day 1: 5 7-00 Day 2: 3 6-07
75. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 6 13-05 125 Day 1: 4 9-11 Day 2: 2 3-10
76. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 8 12-14 123 Day 1: 5 8-10 Day 2: 3 4-04
77. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 7 12-02 121 Day 1: 5 8-09 Day 2: 2 3-09
78. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 6 11-15 119 Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 1 1-08
79. Brian Clark Haltom City, Texas 7 11-08 117 Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 4 5-15
80. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 5 11-07 115 Day 1: 2 7-03 Day 2: 3 4-04
81. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 6 11-04 113 Day 1: 2 2-14 Day 2: 4 8-06
82. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 7 11-01 111 Day 1: 4 5-12 Day 2: 3 5-05
83. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 10-01 109 Day 1: 2 5-07 Day 2: 3 4-10
84. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 7 10-00 107 Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 2 2-13
85. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 6 9-15 105 Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 3 4-10
86. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 5 9-10 103 Day 1: 3 5-06 Day 2: 2 4-04
87. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 7 9-07 101 Day 1: 4 5-05 Day 2: 3 4-02
88. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 6 9-04 99 Day 1: 2 2-08 Day 2: 4 6-12
89. David Smith Del City, Okla. 5 9-00 97 Day 1: 4 7-06 Day 2: 1 1-10
90. Elton Luce Brookeland, Texas 6 8-11 95 Day 1: 4 6-03 Day 2: 2 2-08
91. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 8-10 92 Day 1: 3 4-13 Day 2: 2 3-13
91. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 4 8-10 92 Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 1 2-07
93. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 6 8-09 89 Day 1: 4 5-15 Day 2: 2 2-10
94. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 4 8-05 87 Day 1: 2 3-11 Day 2: 2 4-10
95. Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 3 8-02 85 Day 1: 1 3-09 Day 2: 2 4-09
96. Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 5 7-08 83 Day 1: 5 7-08 Day 2: 0 0-00
97. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 4 6-15 81 Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 3 5-03
98. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 4 6-03 79 Day 1: 3 4-14 Day 2: 1 1-05
99. Randy Allen Shreveport, La. 4 6-02 77 Day 1: 2 3-05 Day 2: 2 2-13
100.Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 3 5-15 76 Day 1: 1 3-00 Day 2: 2 2-15
101.David Sherrer Shreveport, La. 3 5-01 75 Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 1 1-04
102.Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 2 3-05 74 Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-05
103.Jay Fuller Kingston, Okla. 2 3-03 73 Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
104.Billy Brewer Bruceville, Texas 2 2-10 72 Day 1: 2 2-10 Day 2: 0 0-00
105.Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 1 1-11 71 Day 1: 1 1-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
106.Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 1 0-14 70 Day 1: 1 0-14 Day 2: 0 0-00
———————————————————————————————————-

Purolator Big Bass
Day 1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 6-04 $1,000.00 2 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6-06 $1,000.00

Berkley Big Bag
Day 1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 17-02 $1,000.00 2 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15-10 $1,000.00

———————————————————————————————————-
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 60 422 883-02 2 50 392 815-05
————————————————— 110 814 1698-07

PAA Affinity Partner Powell Rods Introduces Lower Pricing Structures - Rod Quality Stays the Same

2008-06-27T18:15:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Novato, Calif. – As the cost of living seems to increase daily and retail prices continue to climb nationwide, the burden of those increased costs land squarely on the shoulder of consumer. The fishing industry is no different, as prices of goods have steadily climbed in recent history.

Powell Rods knows that increased costs can have an effect on an angler’s ability to enjoy their pastime and the company has taken steps to help alleviate some of the pressure brought on by rising costs.

Immediately, Powell Rods will institute a new, lower retail price on all of their popular Powell Max Bass Rods. The new price points will be $139 for all rods seven feet and shorter, while all rods longer than seven feet will retail for $169.

Keith Bryan, President of Powell Rods said that the new pricing structure is the result of working with current suppliers to procure materials and components with the long run in mind. “Our Powell Max bass rods are made with the highest quality components, and that is not going to change,” Bryan said. “Our suppliers have worked with us to produce the best available pricing on long term partnerships, and we want to pass on the benefit to the consumer.”

Bryan wanted to stress the fact that nothing in the product line would be changing, other than the reduced price. “All of our premium quality components will remain the same, from our blanks, guides, reel seats and handles are the same,” noted Bryan. “We are doing this to thank our customers for the success of our brand, and make it easier for them to enjoy the sport they love with great equipment.

“At Powell, we have worked long and hard to be innovative and right now that means going against the grain when it comes to setting our price points; we are doing our best to work for our customers,” Bryan said.

Powell Rods can be found at retailers across the country, talk to your dealer about the highest quality, most affordable rods available. With 47 models, Powell’s Max product line has something for any angler, from seasoned professional to the weekend angler; these rods will perform for all. Now it is easier for everyone to experience Powell Max quality.

Powell Rods is a 98 year-old company with its roots in fly-fishing. In 2005, Powell introduced their Max Series of fishing rods featuring proprietary high modulus graphite Maxumfiber blank material coupled with the world’s highest quality rod building components.

Each Powell rod is the product of many years of rod building experience and the expertise of our design team that couples engineering and angler input; the result is a rod of exceptional quality and high performance demanded by anglers. The Powell focus is to provide products with the highest quality standards, backed with superior customer service.

To find a Powell retailer near you, please visit our website at www.powellco.com, or call us at (888) 635-9763.

PAA Member Kevin Wirth Grabs Round One Advantage at Old Hickory - Four PAA Pros in Top Five

2008-06-27T04:29:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Photos by BASS Communications / Seigo Saito

Source BASS Ommunications – HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Veteran Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., fished a depth at which he wasn’t exactly comfortable, and the change produced the best results he could have hoped for Thursday as he took the Day 1 lead at the Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn on Old Hickory Lake with a five-fish limit weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces. Wirth is less than 1 pound ahead of Marty Stone of Fayetteville, N.C., who weighed in 16 pounds, 5 ounces, and reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., who is third with 15-9.

“I’m really happy with the way the day went. I just kind of kept pegging away,” said Wirth, who concentrated on three areas. “A real fortunate day, I like what I’m doing. I’ve never had to catch them at the depth that I’ve had to catch them at this week, the depth is really key.”

Wirth, 45, added that he’s fishing differently than he’s used to, and it is taking some adjustment.

“I’m not comfortable with it, but if I keep pegging away I might do all right. I don’t know how many I can catch a day, I might have caught all I can catch.”

With a victory, Wirth would earn $100,000, adding to his Purolator Big Bass honors and a $1,000 premium Thursday after his big fish weighed in at 6-4. While he was due to check in at 3:30 p.m., he caught the lunker at 2 p.m.

“I quit fishing as soon as I put him in the boat,” he said.

More than the trophy is at stake at the Tennessee Triumph, as the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race is heating up dramatically. With just three events remaining, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., leads Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, and Reese, in third and fourth place, respectively, in the standings. The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.

VanDam’s finish Thursday didn’t help his lead in the AOY race, as he weighed in 7-5 and finished 63rd on the day. Faircloth is tied for 22nd with 11-3.

Meanwhile, after moving around a lot to find the fish on ledges and ending up with a successful day, the 42-year-old Stone set a personal goal of finishing well at Old Hickory in order to make the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

“When you have days like that, you rack it up to being special,” said Stone, who has previously fished four Bassmaster Classics. “I need a good finish here. I need a good finish to get back in the Classic – I wanna get back to where I think I belong, and I belong in that Classic.”

Reese said he had two small fish by about 12:30 but was able to get some good bites in the last few hours of the day.

“I was not a happy camper for a long time today,” said Reese, who is fishing the outside and said he hasn’t been on the banks all week. “It just worked out in the end. I’ve noticed all week long that the afternoon bite was definitely way better. You catch 30-40 fish off a spot and no keepers, then one of the spots I went to later, I pull up and I catch a good one. There’s no rhyme or reason.”

Rounding out the top five: Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., with 15-4, and Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., with 15-3.

In the co-angler division, Steve Greene of Tennessee, leads the chase for the $25,000 top prize with 8 pounds, 14 ounces. Trailing Greene are Illinois’ Jason Luszcak, with 7-15, and Minnesota’s Ryan Piersdorf, with 7-14.

Daily tournament launches and weigh-ins will take place at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, 100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd. Launches begin at 6 a.m. CT and weigh-ins at 2 p.m.

The local sponsor of the Tennessee Triumph is the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Location and Field Tennessee presented by Longhorn Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn. June 26-29, 2008

Field
106 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Sanders Ferry Park
100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd.
Hendersonville, TN
6 a.m./2:30 p.m. CT

About BASS

Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
Or
Jenny Zimmerman (on site), (407) 319-5014 or jennifer.j.zimmerman@espn.com

Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn

2008 Elite Series – Tennessee Triumph PRO 06/26-06/29
Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1

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

1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 17-02 Day 1: 5 17-02
2. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 5 16-05 Day 1: 5 16-05
3. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 15-09 Day 1: 5 15-09
4. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 5 15-04 Day 1: 5 15-04
5. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 5 15-03 Day 1: 5 15-03
6. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 14-13 Day 1: 5 14-13
7. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 14-06 Day 1: 5 14-06
8. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5 14-05 Day 1: 5 14-05
9. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 5 13-04 Day 1: 5 13-04
9. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 5 13-04 Day 1: 5 13-04
11. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 13-02 Day 1: 5 13-02
12. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 12-15 Day 1: 5 12-15
13. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 12-14 Day 1: 5 12-14
14. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 5 12-06 Day 1: 5 12-06
15. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 12-04 Day 1: 5 12-04
16. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 5 11-15 Day 1: 5 11-15
17. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 11-13 Day 1: 5 11-13
18. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 11-12 Day 1: 5 11-12
19. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 5 11-08 Day 1: 5 11-08
20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 11-06 Day 1: 5 11-06
21. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 5 11-04 Day 1: 5 11-04
22. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 5 11-03 Day 1: 5 11-03
22. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 11-03 Day 1: 5 11-03
24. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 11-02 Day 1: 5 11-02
24. Chris Lane Lakeland, Fla. 5 11-02 Day 1: 5 11-02
26. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 11-00 Day 1: 5 11-00
27. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 10-12 Day 1: 5 10-12
28. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 10-08 Day 1: 5 10-08
28. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 10-08 Day 1: 5 10-08
30. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 10-07 Day 1: 5 10-07
30. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 5 10-07 Day 1: 5 10-07
32. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 10-04 Day 1: 5 10-04
33. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 10-03 Day 1: 5 10-03
33. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 10-03 Day 1: 5 10-03
35. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 10-02 Day 1: 5 10-02
36. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 5 10-00 Day 1: 5 10-00
37. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 9-15 Day 1: 5 9-15
37. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 4 9-15 Day 1: 4 9-15
39. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 9-14 Day 1: 5 9-14
40. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 9-13 Day 1: 5 9-13
41. Clark Reehm Russellville, Ark. 5 9-11 Day 1: 5 9-11
41. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 4 9-11 Day 1: 4 9-11
43. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 5 9-07 Day 1: 5 9-07
44. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 5 9-06 Day 1: 5 9-06
45. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 9-04 Day 1: 5 9-04
46. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 9-02 Day 1: 5 9-02
46. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 9-02 Day 1: 5 9-02
48. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 5 9-00 Day 1: 5 9-00
49. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 4 8-14 Day 1: 4 8-14
50. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 3 8-13 Day 1: 3 8-13
51. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 5 8-11 Day 1: 5 8-11
52. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 5 8-10 Day 1: 5 8-10
53. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 8-09 Day 1: 5 8-09
53. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 8-09 Day 1: 5 8-09
55. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 8-08 Day 1: 5 8-08
56. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 8-07 Day 1: 5 8-07
57. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 8-02 Day 1: 5 8-02
58. Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 4 7-15 Day 1: 4 7-15
59. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 5 7-13 Day 1: 5 7-13
59. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 4 7-13 Day 1: 4 7-13
61. Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 5 7-08 Day 1: 5 7-08
62. David Smith Del City, Okla. 4 7-06 Day 1: 4 7-06
63. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 7-05 Day 1: 5 7-05
64. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 2 7-04 Day 1: 2 7-04
65. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 7-03 Day 1: 5 7-03
65. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 2 7-03 Day 1: 2 7-03
67. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 7-02 Day 1: 5 7-02
68. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 7-00 Day 1: 5 7-00
68. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 4 7-00 Day 1: 4 7-00
68. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 3 7-00 Day 1: 3 7-00
71. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 4 6-14 Day 1: 4 6-14
71. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 3 6-14 Day 1: 3 6-14
73. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 5 6-13 Day 1: 5 6-13
74. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 3 6-07 Day 1: 3 6-07
75. Elton Luce Brookeland, Texas 4 6-03 Day 1: 4 6-03
75. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 3 6-03 Day 1: 3 6-03
77. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 2 6-00 Day 1: 2 6-00
78. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 4 5-15 Day 1: 4 5-15
79. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 4 5-13 Day 1: 4 5-13
80. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 4 5-12 Day 1: 4 5-12
81. Brian Clark Haltom City, Texas 3 5-09 Day 1: 3 5-09
82. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 2 5-07 Day 1: 2 5-07
83. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 3 5-06 Day 1: 3 5-06
83. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 3 5-06 Day 1: 3 5-06
85. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 4 5-05 Day 1: 4 5-05
85. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 3 5-05 Day 1: 3 5-05
87. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 3 4-14 Day 1: 3 4-14
88. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 3 4-13 Day 1: 3 4-13
89. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2 4-00 Day 1: 2 4-00
90. David Sherrer Shreveport, La. 2 3-13 Day 1: 2 3-13
91. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 2 3-11 Day 1: 2 3-11
92. Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 1 3-09 Day 1: 1 3-09
93. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 2 3-08 Day 1: 2 3-08
94. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 2 3-07 Day 1: 2 3-07
95. Randy Allen Shreveport, La. 2 3-05 Day 1: 2 3-05
96. Jay Fuller Kingston, Okla. 2 3-03 Day 1: 2 3-03
97. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 1 3-00 Day 1: 1 3-00
98. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 2 2-15 Day 1: 2 2-15
99. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14
99. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14
101.Billy Brewer Bruceville, Texas 2 2-10 Day 1: 2 2-10
102.Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 2 2-08 Day 1: 2 2-08
103.Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 1 1-12 Day 1: 1 1-12
104.Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 1 1-11 Day 1: 1 1-11
105.Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 1 0-14 Day 1: 1 0-14
106.Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00
———————————————————————————————————-

———————————————————————————————————-
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 60 422 883-02
————————————————— 60 422 883-02

PAA Announces Corporate Cup Details - Event Scheduled for October 9-11

2008-06-26T17:11:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Benton, Ky. – Earlier this month, The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) announced the 2008 PAA Corporate Cup. A high stakes professional bass fishing tournament on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake in Florence, Ala.

The goal of the PAA Corporate Cup is to build relationships and increase awareness of the PAA within the corporate world, while providing all PAA members an opportunity to compete in a 100% payback event. The tournament offers a one of a kind format where tour level anglers compete with corporate sponsor partners on corporate namesake teams in friendly competition.

Fishery: Pickwick Lake

Event Location: McFarland Park, 200 James M. Spain Dr., Florence, AL 35630

Format: Similar to the PAA developed Toyota Texas Bass Classic format, teams will consist of a four man team comprised of two PAA Tour anglers and two Sponsor Amateur anglers working together as a team during competition. Each boat will contain one PAA angler and one Sponsor angler.

Eligibility: Open to all PAA Tour members. In the event a team of two PAA Tour members cannot fill the two Sponsor angler positions, the team can replace those members with two PAA General members. Teams without sponsor participation will be responsible for their $5,000 entry fee, and therefore eligible for all prize money awarded. Teams without sponsors can be made up of a maximum of two PAA Tour members.

Tour Member Pairings: The PAA Tour members will work with the Sponsor anglers of each team to determine who will fish for each team. All teams submitted are subject to PAA approval and PAA reserves the right to refuse entry of any team or make adjustments to teams as necessary.

Sponsorship Opportunity: $5,000 per team. Sponsors may purchase more than one team for their company. By purchasing a team for $5,000, the sponsor receives a team with their desired name, two angler spots on a team, an opportunity to receive a percentage of any winnings, national media exposure through radio, Internet, print and television. Along with all of those benefits, they will receive a one of a kind opportunity to fish with the pros of the sport.

If the sponsor desires, each competitor boat of the sponsor team will display a sponsor logo decal on the boat windshield during all days of competition and all anglers will wear a hat displaying the team sponsor logo during all days of competition. Sponsors are responsible for supplying the company logo for the windshield decal and hats for each angler on their team(s) if they choose to participate in this display of the company logo.

Registration Deadline: Registration beings immediately. To be included in all printed event publications and publicity, all teams must be registered with an official, completed entry form & paid in full by Friday, August 29th, 2008. The final deadline for all teams to be registered to participate with an official, completed entry form and paid in full is September 19th, 2008. No changes can be made to teams after September 19th, 2008.

Competition:
· Thursday, October 9th thru Saturday, October 11th
· The full field will compete in two days of competition consisting of two consecutive 8-hour days.
· On the third day the field will be cut to the money positions, consisting of the top 30 percent.
· Locking will be allowed.
· Teams will be allowed to communicate via cell phone or two-way radio during the event.
· All four members of the team will go out at the same time in two separate boats for eight hours of fishing per competition day.
· Each boat is allowed to bring in a maximum of 5 total fish to the scales for a total of 10 fish per team, per day.

NOTE: All anglers not competing on the cut day will remain on site for autographs, sponsor and media participation.

Captain’s Choice Golf Scramble (optional):
· Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
· The Schoolmaster Course has been reserved at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
· The Golf Scramble is open to any PAA member or Sponsor angler participating in the PAA Corporate Cup fishing tournament.
· Each team will consist of four individuals with one individual appointed as the Captain for that team.
· The Captain of the team will make all final shot decisions.
· Estimated handicaps and requested teammates will be taken into consideration when assigning teams for the event.
· Awards will be presented for the Champion and 2nd place teams
· A special thank you is extended to The Alabama Mountain Lakes Association for sponsoring the 2008 Captain’s Choice Golf Scramble.

Additional Events: PAA will be holding fundraising events to benefit the PAA and Catch-A-Dream throughout the PAA Corporate Cup. PAA will also have PAA merchandise for sale at the event as well.

Additional Sponsor Opportunities:
· Vendor booths at McFarland Park will be made available to Corporate Sponsors first and the public second.
· Anyone interested in sponsoring a meal, award or obtaining a vendor booth may contact the PAA office at 270.527.2030.

PAA CORPORATE CUP PAYOUT* *Payout based on 100 Teams

Place Total Team Payout Pro Angler Payout (each) Pro Angler Total Payout Corporate Payout
1 $100,000 $30,000 $60,000 $40,000*
2 $60,000 $18,000 $36,000 $24,000
3 $50,000 $15,000 $30,000 $20,000
4 $40,000 $12,000 $24,000 $16,000
5 $35,000 $10,500 $21,000 $14,000
6 $30,000 $9,000 $18,000 $12,000
7 $25,000 $7,500 $15,000 $10,000
8 $20,000 $6,000 $12,00 $8,000
9 $15,000 $4,500 $9,000 $6,000
10 $10,000 $3,000 $6,000 $4,000
11 $9,000 $2,700 $5,400 $3,600
12 $8,000 $2,400 $4,800 $3,200
13 $7,000 $2,100 $4,200 $2,800
14 $6,000 $1,800 $3,600 $2,400
15 – 30 $5,000 $1,500 $3,000 $2,000
Big Bass Day 1 $1,000 $1,000
Big Bass Day 2 $1,000 $1,000
Big Bass Day 3 $1,000 $1,000
Overall Big Bass $2,000 $2,000
Total Payout $500,000

Pure Fishing to Establish World Headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina

2008-06-25T20:08:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Source: Blue Heron Communications – Spirit Lake, Iowa – June 25, 2008 – Pure Fishing, a leading global provider of branded fishing products, today announced plans to establish its world headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina. This move will strongly position Pure Fishing for its next phase of growth as an international leader in the fishing tackle market, with closer proximity to its global customer base and improved operating efficiencies. The Pure Fishing brand portfolio includes Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, SevenStrand®, Shakespeare®, Spiderwire®, Stren®, Trilene® and Ugly Stik®. The Columbia location will contain the Pure Fishing world headquarters staff including senior leadership, sales management, sourcing and supply chain management, and specific category marketing and product development teams. Pure Fishing will continue to maintain the majority of its U.S. coworker base in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Terry Carlson, CEO of Pure Fishing, said, “We are committed to building the world’s best fishing tackle company and our decision to establish our world headquarters in Columbia represents this commitment in action. Combining three fishing companies into one organization with centralized leadership at one location is a key element of our long-term focus on building on what is the strongest cross-category brand portfolio in the industry. With this new headquarters, we will better serve our customers around the world and be able to take advantage of synergies and new business opportunities created through the combination of Pure Fishing, Shakespeare and Penn.”

Mr. Carlson continued, “The talent and passion of our staff across each of our facilities, including our freshwater and saltwater centers of excellence in Philadelphia, Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Columbia, are unparalleled in our industry and we will continue to drive innovation across all of our brands to ensure they remain the best in the industry.”

Pure Fishing is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, SevenStrand®, Shakespeare®, Spiderwire®, Stren®, Trilene® and Ugly Stik®. With operations in 19 countries, Pure Fishing is part of Jarden Outdoor Solutions, a leader in developing outdoor and active lifestyle products and a division of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH). Additional information can be found at www.purefishing.com.

For media contacts with questions, please contact Ron Giudice with Blue Heron Communications at 1-800-654-3766 or at Ron@BlueHeroncomm.com.

PAA Members Seek Angler of the Year Title as BASS Elite Series Heads to Old Hickory

2008-06-25T16:17:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Source: ESPN Outdoors – The Bassmaster Elite Series will bring its ninth tournament of the season – the Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn – to Old Hickory Lake out of Hendersonville, Tenn., marking BASS’ seventh visit to the lake.

Fishing fans can watch the on-the-water action from the June 26-29 Elite Series event on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, July 5, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

Daily weigh-ins and launches will take place at Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Rd., Hendersonville. Launches will begin at 6 a.m. CT while weigh-ins will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Old Hickory will play host to the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors this week as the third event of the WBT season takes place Thursday through Saturday out of Hendersonville. The Cumberland River impoundment, has been the site of four other pro-level BASS tournaments. One was a Bassmaster Top 100 event in October 1996, won by Missouri’s Chad Brauer — son of Bassmaster Elite Series pro Denny Brauer — with a three-day total of almost 50 pounds.

Fresh off his victory at the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake, three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., is excited about the possibilities of another big win in 2008, this time on Old Hickory Lake. In the three pro tournaments held at Hickory Lake since 1996, VanDam has three top-10 finishes – eighth (1999), fifth (1998) and ninth (1996).

Other Elite Series pros who have enjoyed top-10 finishes in pro events at Old Hickory: 2008 Bassmaster Classic winner Alton Jones of Waco, Texas (fifth, 1996); four-time Classic winner Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo. (second, ’96); Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla. (fifth, ’99), three-time Angler of the Year Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark. (sixth, ’99; eighth, ’98; ), Davy Hite of Prosperity, S.C. (seventh, ’99) and Ray Sedgwick of Cross, S.C. (10th, ’99; sixth, ’96).

While he thinks the Tennessee Triumph will produce some big bags, VanDam doesn’t think the weights will be similar to those at the two most recent Elite stops: Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., and Kentucky Lake in Guntersville, Ky.

“We’re there at a much different time of year than what I’ve fished there before,” VanDam said. “But it’s like a miniature Wheeler or Kentucky lake, it’s got a lot of river to it on the upper end and a lot of ledges and drops on the lower end. It’s a typical summertime deal, so I’m sure there’ll be a good offshore bite – the lake used to have a lot of grass in it too, in the midsection, so that’s always a factor there, too.”

VanDam predicts that it will take about 15 pounds a day during the four-day Tennessee Triumph to have a shot at winning.

“It being right there near Nashville it gets a lot of pressure,” VanDam said. “For four days – you’re going to see some big limits there, but it’s going to be hard to catch 20-plus-pound bags every day.”

While angling for a first-place prize of $100,000, the Elite pros also are in the thick of the Trail to the Trophy with just three tournaments to go. After last week’s Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake out of Gilbertsville, Ky., VanDam leads the Angler of the Year points race with 2,043 after his victory on the weekend. His top threat for the $250,000 top prize is Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, who fell to second in AOY points after the weekend but is just 65 points behind VanDam.

“You know, I think about it from the first day of the first tournament of the season,” VanDam said. “But there’s a lot of fishing to go. It’s nice to be in the lead, I’ve had a couple of good weeks in a row, but, as I saw last year, a lot of things can happen … ”

In the race to qualify for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla., is on the bubble in 39th place with 1,442 points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. Mark Menendez of Paducah, Ky., (1,437 points) and Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., (1,421) are lurking in 40th and 41st, respectively.

Live, streaming video of the Tennessee Triumph’s daily weigh-ins begins at 2:30 p.m. CT on Bassmaster.com. Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 2 p.m. CT of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan and ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show will preview the final weigh-in.

About BASS

Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com

New College Bass Fishing Plan Designed for Sport’s Future

2008-06-24T23:59:01Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Source: Dollahon Public Relations SAN ANTONIO, Texas (June 24, 2008) – Officials from Careco Multimedia, The Bass Federation Inc. and VERSUS today announced plans for the new Association of Collegiate Anglers Bass Fishing Series (CBFS) designed to establish the sport as a long-term, sustainable activity. The series, featuring 13 half-hour shows, is produced by Careco Multimedia and will air weekend mornings on VERSUS beginning July 2009.

Recently, The Bass Federation (TBF) formed the Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) using its own structure as the foundation, where clubs become associated through membership and obtain benefits. The purpose of ACA is to support every aspect of college bass fishing from developing new clubs to sanctioning events to qualifying championship contenders. The Bass Federation, with nearly 30,000 members among 47 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest organized fishing group.

“While we’re excited to see all the interest in college bass fishing, this program differs by having a student membership organization, the ACA, serving as its presenting sponsor and governing body,” said Wade Middleton, Careco general manager and a person recognized throughout the outdoor industry as being a formidable force behind today’s college bass movement. “Student anglers must have a role in where college fishing goes.”

Middleton added, “Here teams can advance through qualifying regional events to a championship where they compete head-to-head on a level playing field for top bragging rights. There’s nothing like college rivalries, and partnering with VERSUS now gives the teams a stage to showcase their skills on national television.”

Teams can earn their way into the new series’ championship through top finishes in official qualifying events. Some of these will be hosted by CBFS and others by college fishing clubs, but all are sanctioned by ACA. The events are open to active members of school-recognized fishing clubs and who are taking at least 12 credit hours while maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Event participants are not required to be ACA members, but for a school club to host a sanctioned qualifying event, it must belong to ACA.

It is anticipated that more than 600 college anglers, representing approximately 120 college fishing programs, will compete in the 2009 CBFS qualifiers to vie for the 40 two-person-team spots available in the CBFS Championship. Among the total prizes are $35,000 in scholarships, to be distributed among the top five teams. As a general rule, college fishing events have either no entry fees or ones that are minimal. A team consists of two anglers fishing from the same boat, and they are responsible for full operation of the boat.

“These college anglers are competing because they love to fish and they want to get to the championship to represent their school,” explained TBF president Robert Cartlidge. “Sure, they like to win prizes, but their ultimate goal is to have a shot at the national title, plus some of the scholarships. Winners also get a berth in TBF’s National Championship.”

Officials at BoatU.S., a prominent sponsor of college bass fishing for the past few years, say they see the new series being an evolutionary step for the sport. “We’ve always been excited about this activity and we believe the transition to the new format will again take it up another level,” said BoatU.S.’ Chris Edmonston. “We are very proud to support the growth of college fishing.”

Additional CBFS national sponsors include BoatU.S. Angler, Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Yamaha, Garmin, Costa Del Mar, Pioneer Beef Jerky, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Fenwick, Anglers’ Legacy, Stearns, EGO Nets, Sebile, American Rodsmiths, Aviva Fishin’ Buddy, Gene Larew Lures, Nemire Lures, Sperry Top-Sider, Power Pole, City of Lewisville, Sneaky Pete’s Marina and Versus.

The 2009 schedule of qualifying events follows:

Dec. 19-20 (2008) – Stephen F. Austin University Invitational, Sam Rayburn (TX)

March 7 – NC State/Virginia Tech Invitational, Smith Mountain Lake (NC)

Mar 13-14 – Lone Star Spring Breakout, Belton Lake (TX)

Mar 20-21 – Arkansas Tech Invitational, Lake Dardanelle (AR)

April 17-18 – S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Series Championship, Lake Wilson (AL)

TBA – Midwest Invitational, TBA

TBA – Western Invitational, TBA

June 1- 5 – BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, Lake Lewisville (TX)

For more information about the ACA, visit www.bassfederation.com.

About Careco
Careco Multimedia is a full-service video production company experienced in field acquisition and editing of top quality outdoor programming. The company produces and markets several outdoor fishing programs, including Fishing and Hunting Texas, Americana Outdoors, Whitetail Diaries, the IFA Redfish Tour and more.

About VERSUS
VERSUS celebrates real competition across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 73 million homes, the network is the national cable home of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Stanley Cup Playoffs as well as best-in-class events such as The Tour de France, Davis Cup Tennis, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Boxing. The network also offers collegiate sports featuring nationally-ranked teams from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West. VERSUS features the best field sports programming on television and is a destination for sports fans, athletes and sportsmen to find exclusive, competitive events that audiences can’t find elsewhere. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

###

Women’s Bassmaster Tour Wraps up at Old Hickory

2008-06-22T23:28:00Z

Posted In: PAA News.

Source: BASS Communications – HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — Dianna Clark, the 2006 Toyota Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year, pulled out of her 2008 season slump Saturday by landing her third victory in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors, trumping the field by almost 8 pounds.

Over three days of competition on Tennessee’s Old Hickory Lake, the Bumpus Mills, Tenn., pro brought in 36 pounds, 5 ounces of largemouth bass, mostly from one shallow area of the lengthy Cumberland River impoundment.

Angie Douthit of Clewiston, Fla., persevering through flu-like symptoms that stemmed from a tooth infection, finished second with a three-day total of 28-8.

“I’m back on track — hopefully,” said Clark, who in 2006 won twice and captured the AOY title, and who ranked eighth in the 2007 season’s points standings — but was in 57th place in this season’s AOY points race before the Old Hickory event. “I had a rocky start this year. I had some family issues to deal with, but still, I have no excuses. I knew I was going to have to work hard here to catch up.”

In the season-long Toyota Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year standings, Clark will certainly improve on her disappointing position. The winner of the points race will score two big prizes this year: a Toyota Tundra and a berth in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport/Bossier City, La. The points race also will determine the 20 qualifiers for the Oct. 23-25 WBT Championship on Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton.

Kim Bain of Alabaster, Ala., will hold on to the top position, with the sixth-place showing she scored at Old Hickory. She will need to hold off a number of accomplished pros to secure the prestigious Classic berth and her first AOY title. Full standings can be viewed at Bassmaster.com.

Clark placed 55th in the 2008 season opener on Texas’ Lake Lewisville — site of one of her two 2006 wins. At the Neely Henry Lake event in Alabama, she finished in 66th place, an all-time low for Clark, who switched to pro fishing in 1996 after a U.S. Army career, retiring with the rank of staff sergeant.

With the victory, Clark took home a $50,000 Triton/Mercury boat package and $1,000. She committed to a long run east from the Hendersonville launch site to target largemouth that were feasting on bream in the shallows of a muddy flat. She said many of her fish took a bait made by B&M Jigs, a 1/2-ounce, camo-colored skirted jig tipped with a green-pumpkin Flipper, a plastic trailer made by Lake Fork Trophy Lures.

Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, who ended with 27-13 and third place, discovered the same sweet spot in practice early in the week, but yielded it to Clark.

Robinson said she hit other productive spots, trying to build her weight and her points total in the 2008 AOY race. She was in fourth place in points going into the Old Hickory event.

“The most important thing for me in this tournament to move up in the points standings and get closer to first place,” Robinson said. “Second in importance was winning this tournament.”

Douthit also stands to improve in her points total after scoring her second-place finish Saturday, her best tournament finish.

“I caught some really good fish cranking a Rapala Down Deep, chartreuse and blue,” she said. “When the current wasn’t running, I went to my backup — back into the bays, the areas most people can’t get to. The fish were around brush and wood, shallow, but close to deeper water.”

She said her main lures included a Gene Larew Ringtail 7 1/2-inch red-shad Texas-rigged worm, a Gambler tube — a pumpkin pepper chartreuse color — pegged with a 1/8-ounce rattle weight, and a Jim Eakin’s 3/16-ounce black-and-blue jig tipped with a Gene Larew 4-inch black-and-blue Salt Craw.

Finishing fourth with 27-2 was Tammy Richardson of Glenwood, Ark., the only WBT pro to have three wins on her WBT record before Clark’s Saturday win. Patti Campbell of Waxahachie, Texas, was fifth with 26-5.

In the co-angler division, the winner was Elizabeth “Liz” Havens, a high-school math teacher from Austin, Texas, who put together 21 pounds, 4 ounces to win a Skeeter/Yamaha rig valued at $25,000. The Old Hickory tournament was her first on the WBT trail.

Second in the co-angler division was Stacey Zhelesnik of Hoboken, N.J. Her 20-10 total included a 5 pound, 1-ounce largemouth that fell for a KVD Strike King Redeye Shad in the Tennessee shad finish. Zhelesnik, co-owner of a restaurant, also took second place in last month’s WBT event in Alabama.

Rounding out the top five in the co-angler competition were Dianna Montgomery of Lebanon, Tenn., with 17-12; Sharon Lawson of Red Bank, Tenn., with 14-9; and Petra Ramsey of El Paso, Texas, with 13-14.

Next up for the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors is the Sept. 18-20 event out of Evans, Ga., on Clarks Hill Lake. The season concludes with the Oct. 23-25 WBT Championship on Lake Hamilton out of Hot Springs, Ark.

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.

Local hosts include the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Holiday Inn Express of Hendersonville

Stop No. 3

2008 Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors

Old Hickory Lake

Hendersonville, Tenn.

June 19-21, 2008

Field

83 pros, 83 co-anglers/observers

Cut to the top 20 pros and top 20 co-anglers after Day 2

About BASS

BASS also offers a wide array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Media Contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or Doug.Grassian@espn.com

2008 Womens Bassmaster Tour Stop 3 6/19-6/21

Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin TN.

BOATER Standings Day 3

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

1. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 13 36-05 310 $51,000.00

Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 3 09-06

2. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 15 28-08 295 $5,500.00

Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 08-08

3. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 14 27-13 290 $4,500.00

Day 1: 4 07-02 Day 2: 5 09-09 Day 3: 5 11-02

4. Tammy Richardson Glenwood, AR 14 27-02 285 $4,000.00

Day 1: 4 05-11 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 10-03

5. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 14 26-05 280 $3,500.00

Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 4 07-11 Day 3: 5 11-05

6. Kim Bain Alabaster, AL 13 25-14 276 $3,000.00

Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 09-09

7. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 14 25-10 270 $2,250.00

Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 4 07-10 Day 3: 5 09-12

7. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 14 25-10 270 $2,250.00

Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 09-06 Day 3: 4 08-05

9. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 14 25-03 264 $1,750.00

Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 4 05-09

10. Audrey McQueen Eagar, AZ 15 21-13 260 $1,500.00

Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 5 07-01 Day 3: 5 07-05

11. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 15 21-08 257 $1,350.00

Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 06-11 Day 3: 5 06-13

12. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 13 21-06 254 $1,100.00

Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 08-02 Day 3: 3 03-11

13. Jan Hudson Harrison, AR 11 21-00 251 $1,000.00

Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 5 08-05 Day 3: 4 08-10

14. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 10 20-13 253 $975.00

Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 08-13 Day 3: 1 01-04

15. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, AZ 12 19-11 245 $950.00

Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 07-13 Day 3: 2 02-14

16. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 9 18-12 243 $925.00

Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 2 02-09

17. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 11 18-06 241 $900.00

Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 06-02

18. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, TX 9 16-01 239 $875.00

Day 1: 4 07-06 Day 2: 3 05-06 Day 3: 2 03-05

19. Cindy Caperton Madison, TN 8 14-14 237 $850.00

Day 1: 4 09-15 Day 2: 3 03-05 Day 3: 1 01-10

20. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 6 13-02 235 $825.00

Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 2 06-08 Day 3: 1 01-04

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Totals

Day #Limits #Fish Weight

1 13 188 335-12 2 16 191 339-12 3 9 72 129-02

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38 451 804-10