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WESTERN PROS MAKE COMPETITIVE PRESENCE FELT
Five Hard-Charging Anglers Invade Chicago for Classic XXX
CHICAGO, Ill. - In the three short years since the BASSMASTER Tournament
Trail took competitive fishing's biggest and longest-running road show out
west, the pros in that region have certainly made their presence known with
fishing fans from coast to coast.
Although no western pro has ever won a BASSMASTER Top 150 event, they have
certainly won the attention of fishing media and fans. Skeet Reese's
year-long battle with Tim Horton for the coveted B.A.S.S. Angler of the
Year title and Aaron Martens' impressive consistency (qualifying for four
finals appearances in seven events) are two of their many examples of
excellence on the national scene.
But it was on the three-year-old BASSMASTER Western Invitational circuit
that the west coast pros really strutted their stuff.
In an April tournament on California's Clear Lake, Nevada's Byron Velvick
destroyed the B.A.S.S. record for a three-day catch with a mind-boggling 83
pounds, 5 ounces (15 bass). The previous record had been set a year earlier
by another western pro, Robert Lee, who caught 78-3 on the California
Delta.
"If you had told me that I would catch 72 pounds, 3 ounces, and finish
second, I would have thought you were nuts," Reese said. "But it
happened."
Martens felt the same way about his third-place catch of 68 pounds.
But there was no reason to offer much sympathy to Reese and Martens. Both
enjoyed fabulous seasons in the Western Division.
Despite his youth, Martens, the 27-year-old whiz kid from Castaic, Calif.,
has long dominated western circuits. He has worked that same magic on the
BASSMASTER trail, qualifying for the last two BASS Masters Classics.
Martens won an Invitational tournament on Lake Oroville in November and
displayed enough consistency to walk away with the points title in the
West.
Reese, 31, who is also competing in his second Classic, won the Western
Invitational on Lake Powell and made the finals in three tournaments on the
Top 150 circuit.
The western pros have made a definite impact on the national tournament
scene in a short period of time.
"I think it's enlightened the eyes of all of America as far as the quality
of fishermen that come from the West," Reese said. "I believe we have
the
quality fishermen that obviously can compete anywhere and anytime.
"We still have a learning curve coming from the west coast down to the
south and eastern part of the country. The fisheries do fish differently,"
Reese continued. "But I think once an angler becomes
accomplished and
confident in his skills, once he gets out here, he's going to learn and
adapt. The biggest thing is just the learning curve out here and the
different styles of lakes. Once you relax and adapt to these situations, I
think western fishermen are more than capable of doing well."
"I don't know what people thought about the west coast before, but we may
have earned a little respect from the pros out here, the people in general,
and the media," Martens added. "It's a good thing I'm sure. It's made
the
sport bigger.
"Personally, it's been a dream since I was probably 7 or 8 years old. It
was my dream to compete on this circuit since I was old enough to watch
The BASSMASTERS on TV. So it's a dream come true for me."
Joining Martens and Reese from the western contingent are fellow two-time
Classic qualifier Mark Rizk, a 37-year-old certified marine technician from
Antelope, Calif.; Brett Hite, 21, of Phoenix; and Kotaro Kiriyama, 29, of
Torrance, Texas (one of two Japanese pros to qualify for the 2000 Classic).
With such talented representatives competing for the most important title
in professional fishing July 20-22 in Chicago, could we see the first
western pro ever crowned as BASS Masters Classic champion?
"It wouldn't surprise me at all," Reese said. "I have no doubt in
my mind
that the western guys are more than capable of winning the Classic this
year. If they don't win it this year, they're going to win it some year
coming up."
The 2000 Classic in Chicago:
During week of July 17-22, the Windy City will be site of the biggest
celebration in the sport of fishing. On Wednesday, Jackson Lake Park will
be the site of the Kids Klassic' contest (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and a Meet the
Pros Autograph session (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.).
McCormick Place will host the highly popular Classic Outdoor Show. This
year's show is being held in conjunction with American Sportfishing
Association's annual ICAST trade show - meaning that Classic visitors will
enjoy a rare opportunity to get a glimpse at all of the new fishing and
boating products that will go on the market in 2001.
For the second consecutive year, local and visiting fishing fans will also
be treated to an extra day of show attendance on Sunday after the Classic
competition has concluded. The show opens on Thursday and runs through
Sunday.
Soldier Field will host the three daily weigh-ins, which will include the
award-winning show that will crown the new Classic champion on Saturday.
Also, the annual BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS' national finals, sponsored by
Chevy Trucks and Zebco, will be held in Soldier Field on Friday.
In addition, country music star Trisha Yearwood will perform a free concert
immediately after the 2000 Classic champion is crowned.
Sponsors of the 2000 BASS Masters Classic include: Ranger' Boats,
RangerTrail' Trailers, Mercury' Outboard, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco' Batteries,
Worldwaters.com, Humminbird' Electronics, Zercom' Marine, Pennzoil' Marine,
Flowmaster' Exhaust Systems, First USA Visa Card, MotorGuide' Trolling
Motors, Gore-Tex' Outerwear, GMAC Insurance, the state of Illinois and the
city of Chicago.
For more information contact:
George McNeilly, Director of Communications
(334) 272-9530
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