CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 11, 2007) – The best of the nation’s weekend anglers are headed to Lake Wylie near Charlotte, N.C., for The Bass Federation National Championship presented by the National Guard April 19-21, where they will complete for berths into two of the sport’s most coveted events – the $2 million Forest Wood Cup and the $1 million BFL All-American. The winning boater and co-angler at the TBF National Championship will automatically be entered into the 2007 Forest Wood Cup presented by Castrol in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 2-5 where they have the potential to win the sport’s first $1 million award in the Boater Division and $50,000 in the Co-angler Division. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each TBF division will also be given a berth into the 2007 All-American presented by Chevy on the Ohio River in Louisville, Ky., May 30-June 2. With top awards of $140,000 in the Boater Division and $70,000 in the Co-angler Division, the All-American has served as a launching pad for many professional fishing careers.
In addition to incredibly lucrative championship berths, the TBF National Championship will also award $10,000 and a “Living the Dream” prize package to the first-place boater. The package includes use of a “Living the Dream” wrapped Chevy truck and Ranger boat powered either by Evinrude or Yamaha, sponsor merchandise and entry fees into the winner’s choice of either the 2008 Wal-Mart FLW Tour or Wal-Mart FLW Series to compete against the world’s top bass anglers.
Anglers from six nationwide TBF divisions competed during 2006 and qualified through a series of TBF club, TBF state and TBF divisional tournaments to compete in the no-entry-fee TBF National Championship.
“This is going to be a milestone event for FLW Outdoors and The Bass Federation,” said David Simmons, FLW Outdoors and TBF programs manager. “Not only will this be the most lucrative Bass Federation National Championship ever held, we will also be crowning the first national champion since our historic partnership with TBF last year.”
The TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard begins Wednesday, April 18, with an official practice day, and competition begins Thursday at 7 a.m. with takeoff from Copperhead Island Park located at 15222 York Road in Charlotte. Copperhead Island Park will also host takeoff Friday and Saturday at 7 a.m. Anglers will weigh in each day at 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart, Liberty Hall, located at 2500 E. Independence Blvd. in Charlotte.
Surrounding the weigh-ins is the National Guard Expo, which opens at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon Saturday. The National Guard Expo features games, prizes, free product samples and displays for fishing fans of all ages to enjoy. Admission is absolutely free.
As part of the festivities, children 14 and under accompanied by an adult who attend the National Guard Expo and weigh-in Sunday, April 21 will also receive a free rod and reel combo while supplies last.
The entire field of 36 TBF boaters and 36 co-anglers will compete Thursday and Friday for an accumulated two-day weight. The top boater and co-angler from each of the TBF’s six divisions will advance to Saturday’s competition, where they will continue fishing, carrying their weight from the first round into the final round. The winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day accumulated weight.
Coverage of the TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard will be broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States on May 27 as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television program. “FLW Outdoors” airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern time. “FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast internationally to 429 million households in such countries as Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. Additionally, FLW Outdoors is proud to provide tournament coverage to more than 800,000 servicemembers stationed around the world in 177 countries and aboard Navy ships through broadcasts on the American Forces Network.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 241 events in 2007.
The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided the foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 30 years. For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Walmart.com.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.
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