LSU Takes Bassmaster College Classic Title

The Fishing Tigers of Louisiana State University met the Alabama Crimson tide this morning on Lake Verret, which lies roughly 90 miles west of New Orleans. The Tide came into the event as reigning champs thanks to their win at the inaugural Bassmaster College Classic last year. However, the Tide proved to be a bit low this year as the Tigers won by more than 8 pounds.

"This was so much fun; winning here in front of the hometown crowd. You want to win at home because your home water is everything, and beating 'Bama was the icing on the cake," LSU angler Travis Laurent said. "Hearing the fight song got me jacked up; I got a little crazy."

Each school fielded three two-man teams that combined the weight of their total catches. Out of a possible 15 fish (if each team managed a five-fish limit), Alabama only registered nine bass for 20 pounds, 2 ounces. The Tigers brought 13 fish to the scales for a total heavier than 28 pounds.

New for this year was the weigh-in on the Toyota stage in the New Orleans Arena. Rather than weighing in at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick's Sporting Goods, the collegiate anglers got a warm welcome to the big stage.

"I can tell you right now that everybody was shaking when we walked across that stage," Laurent said.

2011 Bassmaster Classic local hosts: Louisiana Office of Tourism, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation

2011 Bassmaster Classic Official Sponsors: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, Bass Pro Shops, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Skeeter, Triton, Yamaha

About B.A.S.S.
For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications - Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times - comprehensive website Bassmaster.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

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.

B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Register Early for Big Bass Bash and be Entered to Win a Garmin Echo Fishfinder

Collegiate anglers registering for the nationally televised Big Bass Bash presented by Hydrowave no later than March 1, 2011, will be eligible to win a Garmin Echo fishfinder valued at $400. Garmin will launch the Echo series in early March. Therefore, the lucky angler winning this prize will be one of the very first to have access to the most advanced fish finding technology ever made available by Garmin. The drawing to determine the winner will be held during registration on March 25. Register now for your chance to win!

Alabama vs. LSU at the Bassmaster College Classic

Longtime SEC football rivals Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama will meet Feb. 20 not on the field, but on the water.

The LSU and Alabama bass fishing teams will compete that Sunday in the Bassmaster College Classic on Louisiana's Lake Verret. At the same time, the world's top anglers will be competing elsewhere on the Louisiana Delta on the final day of the 41st Bassmaster Classic, the world championship of bass fishing, out of New Orleans.

The one-day, combined-weight college tournament will award bragging rights, a coveted trophy and the right to come back to defend their title next year. All team members will weigh in on the Bassmaster Classic stage just before the final 25 contenders for the Classic crown appear.

Murray State University to Host High School Fishing Open April 10

The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW Outdoors, announced Murray State University will host the Murray State High School Fishing Open April 10 in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship on campus April 7-9.

While student anglers from every state are invited to participate, the highest-finishing team from Kentucky will be crowned the Kentucky High School Fishing State Champions as part of the newly introduced TBF Student Angler Federation (SAF) and FLW Outdoors High School Fishing circuit that will ultimately determine the top high school anglers in the nation.

Big Bite Baits Renews Partnership with BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship

Big Bite Baits is proud to announce it has renewed its contract to support the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series. This commitment is a big step to ensure that the future of fishing will be enhanced for years to come. "These great anglers are being provided a platform to show that fishing has earned a place in college sports just like football, baseball and basketball," said Scott Montgomery, Vice President of Big Bite Baits. "Big Bite is thrilled to be a part of these events. We understand the challenges of balancing school with competitive fishing."

Lazer TroKar Returns as Sponsor of BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series

CarecoTV announced today that Lazer TroKar is returning as a sponsor of the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series. After joining the series as a sponsor in 2010 and introducing the sharpest fishhook ever known to collegiate anglers, TroKar returns in 2011 with an even broader line of wicked hooks to aid collegiate anglers in their championship pursuit.

Lamar University Wins College Fishing Texas Division Event on Choke Canyon

The Lamar University team of Matt Morrison and Danny Iles won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Texas Division event on Choke Canyon Saturday with five bass weighing 15 pounds, 1 ounce. The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split between the university and the university’s bass fishing club - $7,500 for the bass club and $2,500 for their school. The win also helped them advance to the Texas Division Regional Championship.

BoatUS Angler Provides Collegiate Anglers a New "Weigh" to Win

As a sanctioned event within the BoatUS Angler Weigh-to-Win incentive program, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship event will provide eligible collegiate anglers the opportunity to substantially increase their winnings. The highest placing eligible team, finishing in the top 50% of the field, will win $1,000!

"To complement our support of the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series, we are excited to sanction the Championship tournament as part of the Weigh-to-Win program and award $1,000 to the highest placing eligible team," said Steve Levi of BoatUS Angler.

University of Oregon Wins at Lake Shasta

The University of Oregon team of Kyle Schneider and William Crowl, won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Western Division on Lake Shasta Saturday with five bass weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces. The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split between the university and the university’s bass-fishing club; $7,500 for the bass club and $2,500 for their school. The win also helped them advance to the Western Division Regional Championship.

Registration for Inaugural Big Bass Bash Now Underway

Collegiate anglers throughout the country may begin registering online for the 2011 Big Bass Bash on January 15. This unique, new tournament is scheduled for March 25-27 at Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. As a showcase event within the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series, it allows for maximum participation while providing many prizes and tremendous exposure for collegiate anglers. To register online, click here.

Pure Fishing Announces Collegiate Angler Incentive Program

As a long time supporter of collegiate bass fishing, Pure Fishing brands Berkley™, Abu Garcia™ and All Star™, is proud to announce that it will greatly increase support for collegiate anglers throughout the country. The future of competitive bass fishing and the development of the next generation of industry leaders will be strengthened through this program.

Registration for Murray State Invitational Now Underway

The Murray State Bass Team will host the 2011 Murray State Invitational at Kentucky Lake on February 25-27. Collegiate anglers throughout the country are invited to compete in this popular tournament which is sanctioned by the Association of Collegiate Anglers.

U. of Tennessee-Chattanooga Wins on Lake Okeechobee

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga team of Nicholas Pratt and James Childers won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Southeast Division event on Lake Okeechobee Saturday with five bass weighing 13 pound, 13 ounces. The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split between the university and the university’s bass-fishing club: $7,500 for the bass club and $2,500 for their school. The win also helped them advance to the Southeast Division Regional Championship.

Cabela's Announces 2011 Angler Cash Program

Cabela's announced today that they will continue to provide awards for top finishing collegiate anglers competing in the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series. As a long-time supporter of collegiate fishing, Cabela's is committed to continuing to provide opportunities for student anglers who are pursuing their passion for fishing, while at the same time, representing their colleges.

Association of Collegiate Anglers Announces 2011 Incentive Program

The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) announced today that anglers competing in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series will have the opportunity to win incentive awards at events sanctioned by the ACA.

In order to be eligible to win the awards, anglers must display the official BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series logo on their jerseys. If eligible, the team winning the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship will be awarded $1,000 in addition to all other winnings. If the winning team is not eligible, the highest finishing eligible team will receive $500.

Additionally, the team winning the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi and the angler winning the Big Bass Bash will be awarded $500. If the winners are not eligible, the highest finishing eligible team/angler will receive $250.

"The Association of Collegiate Anglers plays an integral part in helping collegiate anglers establish fishing clubs on college campuses nationwide," said Wade Middleton, Tournament Director. "The ACA also provides support for established clubs in areas such as club sponsored collegiate bass tournaments, fund raising and club organization."

For a complete list of incentive programs in place for the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series, please click here .

FLW Outdoors Announces 2011 College Fishing Schedule

FLW Outdoors has announced the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing schedule along with paybacks, rules and entry information. Collegiate anglers can begin registering Monday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. Central time at CollegeFishing.com.

The format for 2011 was adapted to accommodate College Fishing’s continuing growth. College clubs will now receive a larger portion of a competing team’s payout, with 75 percent going to the club and 25 percent to its respective school in the club’s name. The payout for qualifying tournaments will be $10,000 for first place down to $2,000 for fifth place. At the regional championships, first place will earn $50,000 and fifth place will win $5,000. The national champions will win $100,000 for first place, while the fifth-place team will win $10,000. The winning teams’ prizes at the regional championships and national championship constitute cash and a new Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.

Teams, which consist of two students, will be allowed to bring a total of five fish to weigh-in, regardless of which team angler caught them. Teams will now be required to designate who would fish the Forrest Wood Cup as a pro and a co-angler, should they qualify, prior to takeoff at their first qualifying event. This designation cannot be changed.

College Fishing consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division will consist of four one-day qualifying tournaments and a regional championship. The regional championship locations will be announced in the near future.

The 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing schedule is listed below:



The 2010 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship will be held April 7-9, 2011, on Kentucky Lake and hosted by Murray State University in Murray, Ky. The winning team will qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, which will be held Aug. 11-14, 2011, on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Ark.

Full-time students at four-year institutions with a bass-fishing club are eligible to compete. There is no entry fee, boats are provided – though a club may choose to use its own boat – and each team receives a travel allowance. Each qualifying event will accept up to 40 teams, with the top five teams from each division advancing to their respective regional championship. The top five teams from each regional championship advance to the national championship. The team that takes home the national championship title qualifies for the Forrest Wood Cup.

For additional details regarding rules, registration, prizes and more, visit CollegeFishing.com.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.

The Rod Glove Sponsors University of Kentucky

The rod accessory company The Rod Glove has added their first university / college fishing team to their list of sponsored organizations. The Rod Glove will sponsoring the University of Kentucky Bass Fishing Team for the 2011 season, providing the team with financial support and of course, custom branded rod gloves. The University of Kentucky Bass Fishing Team believes in the product and The Rod Glove believes in the Kentucky Bass Team and college fishing as a whole.

Currently The Kentucky Bass team has 17 members and has plans to fish events in the FLW College Fishing Series as well as other collegiate events. The team is lead by head coach Dave Stewart, a guide on Kentucky Lake.

The University of Kentucky bass team was started in 2004 and has been expanding their program every year to compete in more events and at a higher level. Club President, J.T. Peake, all the anglers and coaches are eagerly anticipating a great season in 2011 and The Rod Glove is proud to be a part of this effort.

The Rod Glove has great protectors for various size rods at an affordable price point. They also offer custom branding options on their covers and have recently released their new Technique Tags, which slide over The Rod Glove and identify which bait is on your rod while it is still in the sleeve.

To learn more about their products, visit TheRodGlove.com.

Costa Continues Partnership with BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship

Costa sunglasses recently renewed its longtime partnership with the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship and Association of Collegiate Anglers. In 2011, Costa will again serve as a corporate sponsor and official sunglass of the championship series and its participants.

As part of the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing partnership, Costa offers incentives to anglers competing in the tournament series, including the Big Bass Bash at Pickwick Lake in Alabama, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship held at Lake Lewisville in Texas and the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi in Paris, Tennessee.

The team catching the biggest bass at each tournament that also wears their Costa sunglasses for the duration of the event, will receive $500. An additional $500 will be awarded to the big bass winners at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship and the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open if at least one team member also wears a Costa hat or displays the Costa logo on the front top portion of their jersey, and both team members wear Costa sunglasses on their face or neck from takeoff to weigh-in.

Over the last five years, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship has become one of the most prestigious events in all of collegiate bass fishing. With hopes of winning the coveted title, well over 300 college anglers from across the country will gather at the event, held from May 23 - 27, 2011, in Lewisville, Texas, to compete for the title of national champions.

Costa, a company known for its support of the marine and angling industry, remains committed to BoatUS and the Championship Series it hosts each year.

"The Costa product line is so diverse it allows each of our collegiate anglers to find a pair of sunglasses perfectly tailored to help them on and off the water," said Wade Middleton, tournament director. "Costa's ongoing support since the beginning of the series has also contributed greatly to the continued growth of college fishing."

About Costa™

As the leading manufacturer of the world's clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa creates what has been referred to as the highest quality, best performing sunglasses on the planet for outdoor enthusiasts.

For Costa, conservation is all about sustainable fishing. Many fisheries that should be vibrant and healthy are all but devoid of native fish because they have fallen victim to poor fishing practices, unregulated development, lack of watershed protection or all of the above. Costa works with partners around the world to help increase awareness and influence policy so that both the fish and fishermen of tomorrow will have healthy waters to enjoy. Costa encourages others to help in any way they can.

For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company's web site at www.costadelmar.com, or join in the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/costadelmar.com or Twitter @CostaSunglasses.

Gemini Helps Collegiate Anglers Wear What the Pro Wear

G2 Gemini Custom Apparel announced today that the company will make it easy and affordable for collegiate anglers to wear what the top bass tournament pros wear.

As the result of a discount purchasing program developed for collegiate anglers, fully customized jerseys will be available starting at only $52 and semi-custom jerseys will start at just $21. If necessary, G2 Gemini will pay the licensing fees for school logo use. Artwork and setup fees will also be waived. Orders are easily placed online and the standard 3 week delivery time applies.

Eligible collegiate anglers competing in the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series during 2011 will also have the opportunity to win matching hoodies at each event.

G2 Gemini is the leading manufacturer of customized, high performance jerseys that allow anglers to look sharp and effectively promote their sponsors. The patented fabric used on all G2 Gemini jerseys will not fade and it is extremely resistant to wear. Because the material itself is dyed it will not peel or wear off like screen printing. All G2 Gemini products are made in the USA. Additional features include:

· UV Protection

G2 Gemini apparel is built to handle extreme sun exposure with an outer shell that shields your body from harmful UV rays. All G2 Gemini apparel* features a UPF rating of 25. This advanced technology aids in extending the time you are able to spend outdoors-it also increases comfort during and after the competition. *Aside from level 4 apparel.

· Anti-Microbial

Fabric resists bacteria and continues to smell fresh-wash after wash. Specially finished using a micro-thin coating, G2 Gemini jerseys continue to look new even after months of wear.

· Temperature Management

Intera patented material keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The pores of the fabric expand whenever it is warm outside, which allows air to freely pass through. The pores contract in colder weather, which serves to insulate.

· Moisture Transfer

Fabrics are designed to transport moisture away from your body and toward the outer layer of the fabric where it can quickly evaporate.

· Ventilation

Breathable fabric means always feeling fresh-even under the most strenuous conditions.

· Moisture Wicking

Surface moisture and sweat wick to accelerate evaporation, keeping you dry while also serving to regulate body temperature.

For additional information about G2 Gemini products, and to order, please visit www.g2gemini.com .

For more information about the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com .

Press Contact:

Wade Middleton, CarecoTV, 210-573-7057 (cell) or 210-697-8081 (office), Wade@carecotv.com

About BoatUS Angler:

BoatUS Angler, a membership program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters, offers services such as on-the-water towing for disabled fishing boats, roadside assistance for both boat trailers and tow vehicles, and fishing boat insurance. It also advocates to protect the interests of boat-owning anglers. Visit BoatUSAngler.com for more.

About CarecoTV:

CarecoTV LLC, owns and produces one of the best lineups of instructional outdoor television programming on air today, including Americana Outdoors, Fisherman's Handbook, Yamaha's Whitetail Diaries, Chronicles of the Hunt, Deer Gear, Fishing Texas, Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, and Hunting Texas. For more information, please visit CarecoTV.com.

NC State University Wins Big at College Fishing Northern Regional Championship on Jordan Lake

The NC State University team of Jeff Bumgarner of Wade, N.C, and Will White of Raleigh, N.C., weighed five fish for 15 pounds, 5 ounces on the last day of competition at the National Guard FLW College Fishing Northern Division Regional Championship on Jordan Lake for a three-day total of 47-6 to win a top prize of $50,000, which includes a Ranger boat and outboard wrapped in school colors for the winning club and $25,000 for the school they represent. The team won by almost 16 pounds and also qualified for the National Championship on Kentucky Lake.

"This feels great right now," Bumgarner said. “That’s all I can say. I just want to go to Kentucky and win Kentucky now.”

The win was the second Northern Regional victory in two years for an NC State University team. Last year the team of Ben Dziwulski of Woodbine, Md., and Kevin Beverley of Fuquay Varina, N.C., took the title.

White said the team began the first day of competition throwing Carolina rigs and Texas rigs on deep humps and found the bite slow. They managed to end the day in fourth place with five fish weighing 9-13. They changed their plan of attack on the second day.

"We didn’t have an early-morning bite (Thursday) and we decided today to go to the (U.S.) 64 bridge and start cranking," said White, whose team calls themselves the Basspack. "We ran up there and did a little cranking and (Bumgarner) missed one right off the bat.

We marked a spot on the riprap where if we didn’t catch anything we were going to leave,” White added. “We might have gone 50 feet past that and ‘Bam’, a 6 ½-pounder. So we were like, ‘Maybe we’ll stay a little longer.’ And (Bumgarner’s) down there unhooking and I catch my biggest fish.”

Bumgarner said the team used a crawfish-colored Strike King Series 3 crankbait and banged it off of rocks in 6 to 9 feet of water. He also said many of their bigger fish were being caught in 5 feet of water. The team had a six-bass catch weighing 22 pounds, 4 ounces on the second day of competition and took the lead.

Bumgarner described the U.S. 64 bridge spot as a main-lake bridge with a lot of deep-water access and big, black rocks on the bottom. Bumgarner said the color of the rocks holds heat, and in the 58- to 60-degree water, those rocks were holding baitfish.

“It was real specific,” White said. “I threw the same crankbait in other colors, but they really wanted that one. I think it was just finding that crankbait that made the big difference.”

Rounding out the top five teams, who also qualified for the National Championship, are:

2nd: UNC Charlotte - Joe Kinchen, Mooresville, N.C., and Tyler Teer, Charlotte, N.C., 31-3, $25,000
3rd: NC State University - Ben Dziwulski, Woodbine, Md., and Kevin Beverley, Fuquay Varina, N.C., 30-15, $11,000
4th: Virginia Tech – Jody White, Shaftsbury, Vt., and Carson Rejzer, Hampton, Va., 30-13, $8,000
5th: Christopher Newport – Ryan Ingalls, Fairfax, Va., and Joe Wilkerson, Falls Church, Va., 27-12, $6,000

Each school team represented in the televised regional championship had team shirts and boats provided by Ranger. The purse for each regional championship includes a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard wrapped in school colors for the winning club and $25,000 for the school they represent. Awards of $6,000 extend through fifth place for the club and school to split evenly.

The top five teams from each regional championship, 25 teams total, will advance to the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship that will be hosted by Murray State University on Kentucky Lake, April 7-9, 2011. The National Championship is a three-day televised event. Teams will be provided jerseys and wrapped Ranger boats towed by Chevy trucks for this competition. The first-place team will win $100,000 with $50,000 of that for their school and $25,000 cash and a Ranger 177TR bass boat for their fishing club along with a berth in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.

FLW Outdoors provides boats and drivers for each competing team along with travel allowances. All participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.

Coverage of the National Guard FLW College Fishing Northern Division Regional Championship tournament on Jordan Lake will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. "FLW Outdoors", and will air Dec. 19 from 1 to 2 ET. "FLW Outdoors," is hosted by Jason Harper, and is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.