CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 14, 2008) — The best of the nation’s TBF club anglers are headed to Lake Wylie near Charlotte, N.C., for The Bass Federation National Championship presented by the National Guard April 24-26, where they will complete for berths into two of the sport’s most coveted events — the $2 million Forrest 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 2008 Forrest Wood Cup presented by Castrol in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 14-17 where they will compete for as much as $1 million 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 2008 All-American presented by Chevy on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Ark., May 29-31. 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 2009 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 2007 and qualified through a series of TBF club, TBF state and TBF divisional tournaments to compete in the no-entry-fee TBF National Championship.
“Being named the TBF Champion is a culmination of many years of dreams and hard work,” said David Simmons, FLW Outdoors and TBF programs manager. “It means you are the top club angler in the country. TBF Championship anglers are not only fishing for personal pride and rewards, they are also representing their respective states and divisions. We are looking forward to an incredible tournament.”
The TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard begins Wednesday, April 23, with an official practice day, and competition begins Thursday at 6:30 a.m. with takeoff from Copperhead Island Park located at 15200 Soldier Road in Charlotte. Copperhead Island Park will also host takeoff Friday at 6:30 a.m. and Saturday at 6:25 a.m. Anglers will weigh in Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center located at 501 S. College St. in Charlotte. Saturday’s weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center followed by the Wal-Mart FLW Tour National Guard Open weigh-in at 4 p.m. FLW Tour anglers will return to the convention center Sunday for their final weigh-in at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW Outdoors® and the TBF will host a free Family Fun Zone and outdoor show at the Charlotte Convention Center from noon to 6 p.m. each day. The Family Fun Zone offers fans a chance to meet their favorite TBF and FLW Tour anglers face-to-face and review the latest products from Berkley, Lowrance, Ranger, Evinrude, Yamaha and other sponsors while children are treated to giveaways, fishing themed games and rides like the Ranger Boat simulator. Saturday and Sunday children 14 and under visiting the Family Fun Zone will also receive a free rod and reel combo while supplies last. On Sunday, April 27 during the final 4 p.m. weigh-in, one lucky member of the audience will win a new Ranger boat. Admission is free and you must be present to win.
The entire field of 40 TBF boaters and 40 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 Saturday 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 June 8 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.
Visit the FLW Outdoors Media Center at http://mc.flwoutdoors.com for additional information and photos.
