In an effort to encourage more beginning anglers to get involved in team tournament bass fishing, WON BASS started our “Rookie Teams” region in Northern California.
“We have seen the growth of tournaments geared towards the beginning tournament fisherman and wanted to address that segment of the market”, noted Rookie Teams director Gary Watts. “The seasoned guys already have a bunch of circuits to choose from, so we are providing new fishermen a circuit in which they won’t be a “dead money” donor for years while they accelerate through the learning curve. This is all about grass roots tournament competition with a chance to make some money at the same time”.
The Rookie teams division is governed by many of the same rules as the regular WON BASS teams regions, however, there will be qualifying criteria in order to fish as a Rookie Teams participant. To be eligible to fish as a Rookie Team, anglers must:
1) Have not won more than $4,000 individually or as a team on Pro/Am or team circuit.
2) Have not fished as a Pro angler in any Pro/Am competition.
3) Have not won an “Angler of the Year” title in any team competition or placed in the top 5 in any team competition for 3 or more consecutive seasons.
4) Fished as a licensed guide in California
Other than the above, WON BASS will reserve the right to determine participation eligibility of teams who wish to participate in Rookie Teams events.
Entry fees per Rookie Team event will be $120 per event with many side options available. In addition to cash and trophies awarded at each tournament, Rookie team anglers will accumulate points which will allow them to qualify for the WON BASS Northern Team Championships and a chance to fish for a $30,000 prize boat and motor package. More details on this prize package and qualification methods can be found on the WON BASS website and in future issues of WON BASS.
New this year will be seminars featuring Regional and National Pros and industry representatives. These will be held prior to most Rookie events. The first of such seminars will be Saturday November 17 in the lounge area of Konocti Harbor Resort, the featured speaker will be WON and FLW National Guard Series Pro and Clear Lake expert, Jeff Billings. There will also be a pre registration starting at 4:30 with seminar to follow, all are welcome to attend.
For more information on the upcoming Rookie Teams schedule, log on to www.wonbass.com or contact Rookie Teams director, Gary Watts at wonbassteams@sbcglobal.net.
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