Host fishing tournament Lewisville
The Bassmaster Central Opens will kick off Thursday on Lake Lewisville; anglers from all over the country are expected to descend upon the city.
The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open begins with a two-day competition Thursday and Friday. Only the top 12 in the pro and co-angler divisions will compete Saturday, the final day of the competition. Anglers will begin both days 6:45 a.m. at Lewisville Lake Park, 100 E. Lake Park Road. The first two day’s weigh-ins will be held at 3 p.m. at the park. Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine will host the final weigh-in at 3:45 p.m. All launches and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
“We’ve had about five tournaments in Lewisville, and we’re excited to be back,” said Melissa Dixon, communications coordinator for BASS. “Anglers from all over the country, including Arkansas, Minnesota, Colorado and California are competing in this event. We even have someone competing who is from Japan.”
The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) was founded in 1967 by Ray Scott. In its first tournament, 106 fishermen competed. Today, the society boasts more than half a million members. The society produces the annual Bassmaster open.
“I like that,” Martin said. “When everybody catches huge bags, what can you do to win? No, I like a tough tournament where experience pays off.”
Through researching Lake Lewisville, Martin said he’s learned that the water tends to be stained, the majority of the catches come in water 10 feet or less, and standing timber and lay downs provide most of the cover. However, he said he knows there are big fish in the lake. He noted the 12-pound fish that Kevin VanDam caught during a June 2005 Bassmaster Elite 50 event, as evidence of the big fish in Lake Lewisville.
“That goes to show you there are good fish in Lewisville — but that was in warmer weather,” Martin said. “Even if it warms up over the next few weeks, it’s still going to be a tough tournament.”
Lake Lewisville’s surface area spans 29,000 acres and has 233 miles of shoreline.
“That classic seat is a big incentive, especially for those just starting out. I know when I started, it was one of my goals to just be in it,” said Martin, who won the classic the first time he qualified, then went on to qualify for another 18 world championships.
BASS has also planned a special event to coincide with the central open. The society teamed up with two U.S. Marine Corps veterans to provide a fishing opportunity for wounded soldiers Saturday. Recovering soldiers from the Warrior Family and Support Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio will be paired with Bassmaster Open anglers for a day of friendly competition on Lake Grapevine.
The event will include about 15 three-angler teams with one pro team member and two soldier team members. There are no entry fees and no prizes for the event. However, teams will get the chance to officially weigh their fish on the Bassmaster stage Saturday at Grapevine’s Bass Pro Shops.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic
Read More ...
0 comments:
Post a Comment