Toyota Texas Bass Classic Relocates to Lake Conroe
Category: press release
Sep 3rd, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Sep 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Toyota Texas Bass Classic Relocates to Lake ConroeOne-of-a-Kind Team Angling Event to Donate to Texas Parks & WildlifeLake Conroe, Texas – The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), a unique team angling competition featuring the top professional anglers in the world, will be held at Lake Conroe, Texas in 2009. It will take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 22 – 24 and will adhere to strict slot limits that set it apart from other events. The event will benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its outdoor recreation programs.”It is a great pleasure to announce the Toyota Texas Bass Classic will move to Lake Conroe in 2009,” said TTBC Co-Founders Dan Friedkin and Donato Ramos. “It is consistent with our mission of showcasing the outstanding bass fishing in Texas and benefiting TPWD programs, while setting the standard for conservation practices in angling.The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is a one of a kind event in the sport of angling. The event is in its third year and moves from Lake Fork in East Texas, where it was held for the first two years. The Tournament features 100 professional anglers grouped in teams of four. It is a non-entry fee event with a total purse of $750,000. Last year, the $250,000 champions’ prize was awarded to the winning team of Kelly Jordon, Lance Vick, David Smith and David Walker. In addition, a generous donation of $250,000 was given to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).”Through the support and hard work of multiple organizations, this Tournament has reinvented the bass fishing Tournament format and reinvigorated the sport for many,” said Professional Anglers Association (PAA) President Tim Horton.The 100 contestants, all of whom are qualified members of the PAA, will be arranged in four-man teams. For the Tournament’s first two days (Friday and Saturday) all 25 teams will compete, with five of those teams qualifying for the finals on Sunday. The four-man teams will consist of two pairs of anglers, one pair fishing in one boat for each morning session and the other pair in the afternoon session. “Toyota is thrilled to be on board again with this tremendous event and to be able to support TPWD and its efforts,” announced Toby Hynes, President, Gulf States Toyota. “It is great to put the spotlight on Lake Conroe but even better to see the positive impact that this event has on the programs sponsored by TPWD.”Through the TTBC, the TPWD will receive a $250,000 donation that will be used to benefit their first-class youth fishing and outreach programs. “The focus of these programs is to expose kids and non-traditional users to the great fishing and the conservation of the TPWD’s Freshwater Resources upon which good fishing depends,” said JC Fassino, President, Texas Bass Classic Foundation.In the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, all fish caught above 14 inches will be weighed and the top five caught each day credited to each angler. Fish will be weighed in the boat by a certified and independent observer, and then returned to the lake immediately. This avoids having fish held in live wells for long periods of time and will set precedence on how fish are to be handled in future professional bass tournaments. Contestants will be allowed to keep one fish larger than 21 inches, which will be weighed at the weigh-in scales, then turned over to TPWD for proper handling and release back to the lake.The Tournament’s format is designed to appeal to spectators, and includes a kids’ area with outdoor activities, live music and a Jumbo-tron showing continuous action to the audience. Morning and afternoon weigh-ins will assure high levels of activity during the day. While half of the anglers are on the water fishing, the other flight of anglers will be on shore giving seminars, signing autographs and interacting with the public. A fishing industry expo will feature instructional clinics and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories.Spectator activities will be held at Buffalo Springs, an 800 acre master planned community located in historic Montgomery. Buffalo Springs is conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands, and offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information on Buffalo Springs and Montgomery, please visit www.MontgomeryTexas.com. In 2008, over 30,500 people attended the events at Lake Fork over the course of the Pro-Am and TTBC rounds. Country music star Trace Adkins was the headline performer and he was joined by Robert Earl Keen, Kacey Musgraves and Roger Creager. An hour-long national network broadcast is scheduled for the event.The 2008 Lucchese Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award went to angler Bobby Lane for his largest Tournament catch, weighing in at 11 pounds 12 ounces. The big catch earned him a custom pair of Lucchese Boots, Stetson hat and a Lucchese edition Toyota Tundra truck. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is sanctioned by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. For additional information, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com.