National Bass Fishing Tourney Coming to Erie
By: Lou Baxter
Updated: February 12, 2013
February 12, 2013 - The Erie Sports Commission (ESC) proudly announces that Erie has been selected as the site of the B.A.S.S. Mid Atlantic Divisional Tournament. This prestigious tournament will take place the week of July 21-26, 2013 and will host 102 top-ranked anglers and their families from around the Mid-Atlantic Region, representing Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware.
All competition for this tournament will take place on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. The public is invited to watch the takeoffs and weigh-ins at Perry Monument/Presque Isle State Park. Launches will begin at 5:45 AM with weigh ins at 2:00 PM. In addition, a Junior Bassmaster divisional held Friday July 26, will launch and weigh-in during the same place and time as the regular competition.
The tournament attracts 12-person teams with two juniors and three alternates from each B.A.S.S. Nation state Chapter. This event is a "team" tournament with the top prize of a Skeeter TZX 180 Bass Boat with a Yamaha 150 motor valued at over $35,000 and awarded to the top state of the week. The Carhartt "Big Bass" of the tournament will receive a $500 award and the Livingston Lures Leader award goes to the day-two leader. That person will take away an award of $250. The tournament is expected to receive national coverage in B.A.S.S. Times Magazine with live streaming on www.bassmaster.com
"We are very happy to be working with the Erie Sports Commission and excited to bring our Divisional Championship to Erie," said Jon Stewart, the Senior Manager of B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. "Lake Erie is a phenomenal fishery. We look forward to big weights, as well as the opportunity to showcase talented anglers from surrounding states. Not to mention, the winners will qualify for the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship and Bassmaster Junior World Championship events."
Ron Sertz, the Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission, stated: "We are excited to partner with B.A.S.S. Nation and Jon Stewart to bring the Mid Atlantic Divisional to our area. This opportunity allows us to showcase our magnificent fishing community while providing a healthy boost to the area's economy."
For more information on the Mid Atlantic Divisional or other B.A.S.S. tournaments around the nation visit Bassmaster.com.
