BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When Michael Wohlgemuth
was looking forward to this 50th birthday, he had no idea he would get not only
a new bass boat as a gift, but also a fishing trip with 2014 Bassmaster Classic
champion Randy Howell.
"I couldn't believe it. I thought they were pulling my leg," the San
Jose, Calif., resident said about learning he'd won the Fish With Randy Howell
Sweepstakes. "I got the email first, and it was kind of hard to believe. I
sent in all my information, and then I got a call from B.A.S.S., but I still
couldn't believe it."
Wohlgemuth hasn't even broken the news to his
extended family yet that by winning the sweepstakes he will take a trip to a
to-be-determined U.S. location to fish with Howell, including round-trip,
airfare for one; three nights hotel accommodations; a rental car; and $500
spending money.
He also won a 2015 Triton 17TX with 60ELPT Mercury 4-stroke engine and trailer;
Lowrance HDS-12 Gen2 Touch with 83/200 kHz transducer; Zeko
shoes prize pack; Daiwa/Tatula prize pack; Costa Del Mar sunglasses; Livingston
Lures from the Howeller Lures Collection; hooks from
Daiichi and lures from TTI Companies; Rigrap Storage;
a Randy Howell autographed hat; a Frogg Toggs Pilot Guide Series Jacket; Bluewater
LED assorted lights; Valley Fashions Randy Howell jersey, hoodie and gator;
lures from Lunker Lures; and a Gamma Lines assortment. The value of his prize
totals $28,000.
"I figured the only way I'd ever have a new boat is to win one," said
Wohlgemuth, who works as a school bus driver for East
Side Union High School District. Every day during his midday break, Wohlgemuth said he would enter the sweepstakes. "So, I
probably entered 70 times. I've been playing for years," he said.
Wohlgemuth lives in San Jose with his wife, Traveena, his stepdaughter, Navreesha,
and his granddaughter, Devina. He won a local
tournament, the Coyote Bait and Tackle Team Tournament, back in 2007 and fishes
local reservoirs such as Anderson and Coyote. Lately he's been enjoying fishing
on Clear Lake with a friend. "On our best day, we probably had 22 to 24
pounds, which wouldn't get you any money in a tournament there, but it's close
to my best day," he said.
After years of checking Bassmaster.com for tournament standings and entering
the sweepstakes, Wohlgemuth said he's excited to fish
with Howell. "I did watch him win the Classic on TV; I follow bass fishing
quite often," he said. "I've heard from a lot of people that he's a
really nice guy.
"I hope to learn whatever he thinks is good that day. I hope to learn more
about reading fishfinders."
From now through June 30, visit Bassmaster.com to enter the latest sweepstakes:
Fish with Greg Hackney. The winner will receive a trip to fish with 2014 Toyota
Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney, including airfare, hotel, rental
car and $500 cash. A prize pack of Hackney's gear will also be awarded,
including four premium Dick Cepek tires, two Garmin
Echo Fishfinder units, a Quantum Smoke baitcast reel and Quantum Smoke 7-6 heavy rod, a six-pack
of Gamma Line, a STORMR Fusion rainsuit, a Strike
King lures prize pack and a Bass Mafia tacklebox and
flex-fit cap. The total value of the prize is $6,000.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture
of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member
organization's fully integrated media platforms include the industry's leading
magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television
show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more
than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth
fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each
level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops
Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation
events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa
Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster
Classic presented by GoPro.
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