California Delta Waterway Fact Sheet

BASS NEWS

California Delta Waterway Fact Sheet

SITE: Delta California Waterway
PRACTICE DAYS: May 23-25, 2005
COMPETITION DAYS: May 26-28, 2005
LAUNCH SITE: Russo’s Marina
WEIGH-IN SITE: Russo’s Marina
PAYOUTS: There are three Western Open events. The total payout for each event, including non-boaters and boaters, is over $224,000. A full payout schedule appears below.
OPEN POINTS RACE: The top 15 boaters and non-boaters in the Western Division Open points will qualify for a spot in the CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship. Through the championship, anglers can qualify for the CITGO Bassmaster Classic and win increased prize money.

Schedule of Events
Wednesday, May 25
Official Registration - 3:00-5:30 p.m., Russo’s Marina, Bethel Island
Tournament Briefing - 6:30 p.m., Russo’s Marina Pavilion
Thursday, May 26
All weigh-ins will be held at Russo’s Marina
Friday, May 27
Tournament fishing schedule will be posted at weigh-in on Thursday.
A cut will take place to the top 35 boaters and 35 non-boaters.
Saturday, May 28
The top 35 boaters and 35 non-boaters fish on final day.
Final awards presentation will be held at the weigh-in site.

Western Open Series Schedule
Western Open Event 1
SITE: California Delta Waterway, Bethel Island, California
PRACTICE DAYS: May 23-25, 2005
COMPETITION DAYS: May 26-28, 2005

Western Open Event 2
SITE: Clear Lake, Lakeport, California
PRACTICE DAYS: October 10-12, 2005
COMPETITION DAYS: October 13-15, 2005

Western Open Event 3
SITE: Lake Shasta, Shasta Lake, California
PRACTICE DAYS: November 14-16, 2005
COMPETITION DAYS: November 17-19, 2005

Western Open Format
The Western Division debuts on the California Delta on May 26-28 before moving north to Clear Lake on Oct. 13-15 and Lake Shasta on Nov. 17-19. BASS will utilize a four-fish limit in these California events.

The Open events will not utilize the shared weight format presently employed on the CITGO Bassmaster Tour and ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series. Furthermore, anglers must weigh in a bass at an event in order to earn points toward the Open Championship.

In the Western division, 125 boaters and non-boaters will compete. A cut to the top 35 will take place after two days of fishing. Anglers will earn points toward the CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship that will be held on the Alabama River, Dec. 1-4, in Prattville, Ala. The top 15 boaters and non-boaters in Open points will qualify to fish for the Open Championship, vying for one of five spots in the 2006 Bassmaster Classic.

2005 WESTERN OPEN PAYOUTS
BOATER DIVISION
Merchandise/MSRP Cash Total $
1 TR20X/200Opti $38,316.00 7,500.00 45,816.00
2 186MAG/150Opti $25,037.00 2,500.00 27,537.00
3 170MAG/90Opti $18,192.00 18,192.00
4 8,000.00 8,000.00
5 5,000.00 5,000.00
6 4,250.00 4,250.00
7 3,900.00 3,900.00
8 3,600.00 3,600.00
9 3,000.00 3,000.00
10 2,600.00 2,600.00
11 2,300.00 2,300.00
12 2,000.00 2,000.00
13 1,700.00 1,700.00
14 1,550.00 1,550.00
15 1,500.00 1,500.00
16 - 20 1,450.00 7,250.00
21 - 25 1,400.00 7,000.00
26- 30 1,350.00 6,750.00
31 - 35 1,300.00 6,500.00
Purolator Big Bass 1,000 each day 3,000.00
GRAND TOTAL = 161,445.00

NON-BOATER PAYOUT
Merchandise/MSRP Cash Total $
1 TR186/150OPTI $25,037.00 25,037.00
2 5,200.00 5,200.00
3 3,250.00 3,250.00
4 2,900.00 2,900.00
5 2,600.00 2,600.00
6 1,900.00 1,900.00
7 1,600.00 1,600.00
8 1,300.00 1,300.00
9 1,200.00 1,200.00
10 1,100.00 1,100.00
11 1,000.00 1,000.00
12 900.00 900.00
13 800.00 800.00
14 700.00 700.00
15 650.00 650.00
16 - 20 600.00 3,000.00
21 - 25 575.00 2,875.00
26 - 30 550.00 2,750.00
31 - 35 525.00 2,625.00
Purolator Big Bass 400.00/day 1,200.00
GRAND TOTAL 62,587.00

BASS is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation. The CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the 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 (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com.