ATLANTA to host $2.5 million FORREST Wood CUP IN 2010

ATLANTA (Dec. 16, 2008) – FLW Outdoors® and the State of Georgia, in conjunction with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and local authorities, announced Tuesday that Atlanta will play host to the world’s richest bass-fishing championship, the $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol, Aug. 5-8, 2010, along with the National Guard Junior World Championship from Aug. 6-7, 2010.

The Forrest Wood Cup, bass fishing’s crown jewel, will be held on Lake Lanier, pitting the sport’s biggest names against one another for up to a $1 million top award.

“The Forrest Wood Cup is the largest fishing tournament in the country, and bringing this tournament to Georgia is exactly what I envisioned for the mega-ramps we are building as part of Go Fish,” said Governor Perdue. “This tournament will provide nationally televised exposure for our fishing resources, generate excitement about fishing in Georgia and provide a positive economic impact on our local communities.”

The historic 2007 Forrest Wood Cup in Hot Springs, Ark., where Scott Suggs became the sport’s first $1 million winner, drew a record crowd of more than 60,000 fans over the course of four days, and the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup in Columbia, S.C., earlier this year drew even larger crowds. The 2009 Forrest Wood Cup will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“The Forrest Wood Cup is more than a championship tournament and an outdoor show,” said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. “The Forrest Wood Cup is a weeklong festival that engages the entire community. Young anglers are able to showcase their talents in the National Guard Junior World Championship and up-and-coming professionals get to test their mettle against the sport’s legends. The Forrest Wood Cup showcases everything that makes bass fishing the greatest sport in the world, including the richest payout in all of fantasy sports, and we are honored to have Atlanta serve as host.”

The Forrest Wood Cup will feature a free Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show at the Georgia World Congress Center with daily giveaways for children 14 and under. A new Ranger boat will also be given away to a member of the audience during the final weigh-in. Daily weigh-ins and a free concert will be held at the Georgia Dome.

Coverage of the Forrest Wood Cup is broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television program. “FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast in Canada on WFN (World Fishing Network) and to more than 429 million households in the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through a distribution agreement with Matchroom Sport, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. The program airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern time in most markets. Check local listings for times in your area.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2009 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports, $10 million in cash and prizes.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player’s Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com. To plan your trip to Atlanta for the $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup Aug. 5-8, 2010, go to Atlanta.net.

TBF, FLW Outdoors Ramp Up Support of Grassroots Anglers

 NEW 7th TBF Division Announced along with 13th & 14th TBF slot in the 2010 Walmart BFL All-American

Ponca City, Okla. (Dec. 15, 2008) – The Bass Federation (TBF) and their “Partners in Fishing” at FLW Outdoors announced today they are expanding opportunities and support for anglers in the Western United States. TBF is splitting its Western Division in half to form a new Northwest and Southwest division. The new Northwest Division covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming while the new Southwest Division covers California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. These Western states will now enjoy all the benefits of TBF membership with half the potential travel time.

Before the split, the Western Division included everything west of Kansas to the Pacific Ocean and from Canada to Mexico. Standard drive time was more than 20 hours for anglers to compete. “For many years, the Federation wanted to split the West in half to help support our members. It was never possible before, but with the support of our partners at FLW Outdoors, it is now a reality,” stated Robert Cartlidge, TBF National President. “Historically the West was left out when it came to expansion. FLW Outdoors changed all that when they rolled out the Stren Series Western Division and the Walmart FLW Series National Guard Western Division. The next logical step was the grassroots anglers of TBF. FLW Outdoors is once again showing its support of TBF, and not only to the anglers in the West, but the entire TBF membership, by adding a 13th and 14th spot in the Walmart BFL All-American to accommodate the new TBF Western Divisions.”

TBF leadership in the West is thrilled with the decision.

“It is the greatest news to western anglers since the introduction of the FLW Series National Guard Western Division,” said Gary Bradford, TBF Western Division Representative. “With all the gloom and doom of the current economy that is being bantered about, it is very welcome news. With the new division, the addition of two more TBF slots in the All-American, Stren Series and FLW Series events, and FLW Fantasy Fishing, anglers have more opportunities to get involved with fishing in the West than ever before. I hope all TBF members, and particularly anglers in the Western United States, recognize the level of support that TBF and FLW Outdoors are putting into the West for their benefit and come out and help support it.”

Growing fishing participation is a long established goal of FLW Outdoors.

“FLW Outdoors’ goal is to provide fishing opportunities for anglers from coast to coast,” said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. “We are working with our partners at TBF to do just that. We feel that fishing, particularly fishing with the TBF and FLW Outdoors, can change lives. Just ask TBF National Champion Brian Travis who will be ‘Living the Dream’ next season on the Walmart FLW Tour. Plus, everyone has a chance to change their life by playing Fantasy Fishing, just as Michael Thompson did last year by winning $1 million playing Fantasy Fishing.”

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2009 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports, $10 million in cash and prizes.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player’s Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com.

The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those we serve and 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 a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 30 years. Visit bassfederation.com

Solar Bat Sunglasses Renews Partnership Agreement with TBF; Increasing Support of Nation’s Grassroots Anglers

Ponca City, Okla. (Dec. 1, 2008) – The Bass Federation, (TBF) announced today Solar Bat has renewed its multi-year agreement as the official eyewear sponsor of TBF, its 47 TBF state federations and more than 1,900 TBF clubs.

Solar Bat not only renewed its partnership, but also increased its support of TBF.  The Solar BatTBF partnership will support the TBF Federation state teams and special events within each state in an effort to impact as many members possible. Also, Solar Bat will support TBF’s youth programs by providing quality eyewear for each TBF National Guard Junior World Championship angler, as well as, some TBF collegiate fishing teams and Student Anglers Federation clubs affiliated with TBF.  In addition, Solar Bat will be a supporting sponsor of the TBF “Living the Dream” program.

TBF-affiliated state federations can now earn cash two different ways from the Solar Bat partnership to help fund in-state programs, and youth and conservation work. One way is through a re-designed Solar Bat Clear Vision marketing rewards program. The program will reward the top federations with cash based on two categories, membership size and effective marketing and promotion of the Solar Bat partnership with-in state events and media properties. Also, a new way to earn cash rewards is the Solar Bat Referral Cash program. This is a simple program designed to give every TBF State Federation an opportunity to “share in the wealth” and earn significant cash rebates from new dealers and sales referrals through the year.   

 “We are thrilled Solar Bat recognizes the value in the Federation and the considerable impact our members have on the market place,” TBF President Robert Cartlidge said. “TBF is honored Solar Bat is extending our partnership. Dr. Gary Nesty, owner of Solar Bat, is not only a TBF and FLW Outdoors member, but also he is a practicing optometrist and a tournament angler. Because of his experience as a angler himself Solar Bat glasses fit an angler’s needs better than any other source.”

 “Solar Bat is very excited to be in a partnership with TBF,” Nesty said. “As a former Indiana State Federation team member, I know the value of TBF for the grassroots angler. Grassroots anglers across the U.S. have elevated bass fishing to the exciting sport it is today. Solar Bat has always had a mission to elevate the sport of bass fishing, and TBF is the foundation for expansion of this goal.” 

Solar Bat sunglasses are available in prescription, including lined bifocals, through any authorized prescription dealer listed on the Solar Bat website. Dealers interested in becoming an authorized Solar Bat dealer can contact TBF or any TBF State Federation for more information. Solar Bat sunglasses are readily available at many fine sporting goods dealers and will also be available on walmart.com in 2009.

www.solarbat.com — Solar Bat sunglasses, designed by Dr. Gary Nesty, were created with the competitive angler in mind. Solar Bat’s polarized sunglasses have the toughest, lightest and most clear lenses on the water, and many professional anglers wear them. Outdoor enthusiasts benefit from the lighter weight and comfort of Solar Bat sunglasses, and the polarized lenses that protect eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays reflecting off the water.

www.bassfederation.com — TBF is dedicated to the sport of fishing and owned by the 28,000 members it serves. TBF-affiliated state federations and their 1,900 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. In 2006, TBF proudly partnered with FLW Outdoors,the world’s premier tournament-fishingmarketing organization. www.flwoutdoors.com

 

TBF Announces New Online Roster Management System

For Immediate Release

The Bass Federation, (TBF) announces its new TBF Web Services! TBF has now made it easier than ever for new clubs to join or for existing clubs to submit and update your club rosters both with your home state and with TBF, it is one stop shopping!

It is very easy!

Go online to www.bassfederation.com then to “member stuff” on the main menu bar There you will find a link to TBF’s new “online roster management system” simply click the link to go to the new and completely secure www.tbfwebservices.com site where you can submit new rosters for new clubs, update existing rosters, and maintain your clubs roster! All by a click of your mouse.

TBF understands the need to keep your information confidential and protected, so the www.tbfwebservices.com site is secure. No need to worry about your information getting loose. Only the club administrator that YOU determine and your home state federation administrator will be able to see or access it.

State and club administrators can now readily see membership data at a real-time mode and make changes instantly. Email address’s, and all other contact information for clubs and members can be maintained and updated all year long!

New member clubs can also join TBF online by clicking on the “Join today” logo on our website as well!
For all clubs, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Click any link on www.bassfederation.com that says “TBF Online Roster management”, or log on directly towww.tbfwebservices.com
2. Fill out the club registration information on the home page.
3. TBF verifies and approves the account and will send you back your password.
That’s it!
If you were a TBF club in 2007 your club roster is already there online waiting for you! You simply edit and update!
If your a new TBF club just joining simply log back on with your new password and enter your club data, then follow it with a check for your dues, a copy of your invoice and your all set!
Your administrator should be the individual responsible for updating rosters and should have a viable email address with access to the internet. Once the club registration form is filled out TBF receives a notice that a club has requested to set up an account with our system. For security reasons TBF will then verify the individual and information associated with the club and activate the account. Approval time can take 2-3 days but it is usually very quick, within 24 hours.
Log-on now and get your roster update started. Today is a great time since all the rosters for 2008 need to be in by the end of the year – so do it TODAY!

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 or call 580-765-9031.