Montgomery, Ala. – As if winning a championship on the Open, Federation or Weekend series were not enough, BASS is raising the stakes this season to include an automatic berth to fish on the prestigious CITGO Bassmaster Tour presented by Busch Beer.
Beginning with the 2004 CITGO BASS Federation Championship, the Federation champion, CITGO Bassmaster Open champion, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series champion and the winner of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer will all be offered Tour cards for the following season.
Two anglers have already qualified for the Tour via the championship route. Thad Takes of Center Point, Ia., is eligible for the Tour after winning the CITGO BASS Federation Championship on Keystone Lake in Oklahoma last April.
Bradley W. Stringer of Huntington, Tex., is the latest Tour qualifier following his victory at the CITGO Open Championship on the Ouachita River in early December. Neither angler has ever fished in a BASS Tour event.
“This program is part of one of our most important themes,” said BASS Vice President of Operations Dean Kessel. “These champions aspire to compete at the highest level, and they’ve earned that opportunity. We’re excited about this incentive and think it’s going to inspire anglers all over the country to get involved. It’s their chance to make it in the world of professional bass fishing.”
“The Tour is a test of the very best bass anglers in the world,” added BASS Tournament Director, Trip Weldon, “and this is one way to help ensure that we’re getting the best. Each of the anglers who qualify for the Tour this way is a true champion.”
BASS is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation. The CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail presented by Busch Beer, which includes the all-new Bassmaster Elite 50 series, is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass fishing tournament circuit and continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism and sportsmanship as it has since 1968.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (334) 551-2375 or visit www.bassmaster.com.
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