Top Bass Anglers Set To Compete In $1 Million

Wal-Mart BFL All-American

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 8, 2007) – The city of Louisville will host the nation’s top weekend bass anglers May 30-June 2 as they compete for a share of $1 million on the Ohio River in the 24th annual Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League All-American presented by Chevy.

The historic All-American is one of the most prestigious events in tournament fishing, with more than 30,000 anglers annually vying for a shot at the lucrative title. In 1984, the All-American became the first bass-fishing tournament to award a $100,000 cash top prize. This year, 108 anglers representing 27 states will be casting for a top boater award of $140,000 and a top co-angler award of $70,000.

Alabama and North Carolina are sending the most qualifiers, 12, while Tennessee will be represented by eight anglers, and Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky will be represented by seven anglers.   

“Qualifying for the BFL All-American is one of bass fishing’s greatest accomplishments,” said Charlie Evans, president and CEO of FLW Outdoors. “It is our longest running championship and an event that holds a special place in the hearts of anglers nationwide. A trip to the All-American is something that thousands of anglers strive for every year, but only the best accomplish.”

The All-American begins Wednesday, May 30, with an official practice day, and competition begins Thursday, May 31, at 7 a.m. with takeoff from Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park located at 3730 River Road in Louisville. Cox Park will also host takeoff Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2, at 7 a.m., and competitors will weigh in each day at 4 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville.

Surrounding the weigh-in is the FLW Outdoors Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show featuring dozens of exhibits from Ranger Boats, Chevy, Berkley, Lowrance, Evinrude, Yamaha and many more premier companies. The doors open at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon Saturday. Admission is free and the first 200 children 14 and under accompanied by an adult who attend the Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show on Saturday will receive a free rod and reel combo. One lucky spectator attending the final weigh-in, Saturday, June 2, will win a new Ranger bass boat powered by Yamaha.

Official entry forms for the Ranger boat giveaway will be available at the Family Zone and Outdoor Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center, and you must be present June during the 4 p.m. weigh-in to win.

The entire field competes Thursday and Friday for an accumulated two-day weight. The top-10 boaters and co-anglers advance to Saturday, and the winners are determined by the heaviest three-day weight.

Coverage of the All-American will be broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States on Oct. 21 as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television program. “FLW Outdoors” airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern time. “FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast internationally to 429 million households in such countries as Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. Additionally, FLW Outdoors is proud to provide tournament coverage to more than 800,000 servicemembers stationed around the world in 177 countries and aboard Navy ships through broadcasts on the American Forces Network.

The All-American and its lucrative cash awards present a unique opportunity for qualifiers looking to launch a professional bass-fishing career. Former All-American contenders who have become fishing superstars on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour include Kellogg’s pro Clark Wendlandt and four-time FLW Tour champion David Fritts, who fishes for Team Chevy.

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Stratos Owners’ Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 241 events in 2007.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.

Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com.