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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass fishing enthusiasts who want to learn from the world’s best anglers while exploring legendary fisheries will soon be able to register as marshals for the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series.

Bassmaster Elite Series marshals, like Crystal McAllister shown with Elite Series pro Patrick Walters on the St. Lawrence River, ride along with the pros in competition, learn tips for breaking down a fishery and may file blog posts and photos.  Photo by Crystal McAllister

“Being able to see how the top pros fish a body of water you may fish frequently or may fish in a future tournament is absolutely invaluable,” said Rick Moore, a retired California resident who has served as a marshal in 22 B.A.S.S. events. “The enthusiasm among the 2019 Elite pros was great, and their connection and interaction with marshals was exceptional!

“I have been able to see many of the new bait prototypes, learn new techniques and receive personal tips from the Elite pros at many tournaments. As a marshal, the pros will be candid about what and why they are fishing a certain way. I can’t count the number of times a pro has had me join him on the front deck to show how he was interpreting his graphs or reading the movements of a bedding fish.”

The marshal program, created by B.A.S.S. in 2009 as a way to attract observers who would ride along with the pros, allows people to spend two to three days on the water with some of the best professional anglers in the sport. Marshals are not allowed to fish, but they are encouraged to take photos, send blog posts to Bassmaster.com and serve as an extra set of eyes for B.A.S.S. tournament officials, making sure all rules are observed. Additionally, marshals operate the digital BASSTrakk scoring system that enables fans to follow the action in real time.

For Moore, both enforcing the rules and chronicling the tournament are part of the benefit of serving as a marshal.

“I enjoyed the responsibility of being the ‘eyes and ears’ on the water,” said Moore. “B.A.S.S. has a long history of big bass tournaments, and being able to do my part to assist with ensuring the sanctity of the event has been a welcomed challenge.”

Marshal spots are available for eight regular-season Elite Series events for just $99 per tournament. The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department does not include marshals; instead, judges assist with the catch-weigh-release scoring process in that event. Marshals also are invited to participate in the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk March 6-8 on Lake Guntersville, Ala.

As part of the program, at every tournament participants will enjoy an exclusive dinner and a meet-and-greet with all of the Elite anglers as well as receive official Bassmaster marshal apparel and products from tournament sponsors. Every marshal is guaranteed to be on the water for the first two competition days. As the Elite Series field is cut to 40 for the semifinal day, marshals are chosen based on how early they register for the event as well as their blogging and photography in the preliminary rounds.

“Just sitting in the boat would make for a long day without photographing the tournament, skyping with the TV team during live coverage and helping with Bassmaster Media content,” Moore said. “And many of my photos have also been used by the pros for their social media content.”

The marshal experience appeals to those from all walks of life and anyone ready to gather tips and tricks from seasoned fishermen.

“From the first morning with your angler to behind the stage with the winner on the final day, a lot of inside stories develop that you would never know as a strict observer,” Moore said. “It takes the serious bass fisherman to a different level as a fan.”

Registration for B.A.S.S. Life and Nation members opens on Dec. 3 and on Dec. 10 for all other B.A.S.S. members. To learn more and register for the Elite Series marshal program, visit Bassmaster.com or register by phone at (877) BASS-USA.

2020 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule:

Feb. 6-9, St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
Feb. 14-17, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.
March 6-8, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, Lake Guntersville, Birmingham, Ala.
April 2-5, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Ala.
April 16-19, Santee Cooper Lakes, Manning, S.C.
May 29-June 1, Sabine River, Orange, Texas
June 5-9, Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Fork, Quitman, Texas
July 23-26, St. Lawrence River, Waddington, N.Y.
July 30-Aug. 2, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Aug. 13-16, Elite makeup date
Aug. 20-23, Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, Mich.
 

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Earlier this year, B.A.S.S. announced the bulk of its 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule with a clear emphasis on visiting fisheries that hold giant bass.

The 2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is heading back to Lake Fork, where Brandon Cobb won the 2019 event with 114 pounds. Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

On that front, they saved the absolute best for last.

An already amazing schedule was finalized today when B.A.S.S. announced that Lake Fork — the Texas fishery that produced a pair of four-day weights over 100 pounds last year — will again serve as the venue for the 2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The tournament will be held June 5-9 on the Sabine River Basin with daily weigh-ins and festivities at the Sabine River Authority headquarters on the shoreline of Lake Fork in Quitman, Texas. South Carolina angler Brandon Cobb claimed the Texas Fest title last year with a four-day total of 20 bass that weighed 114 pounds.

“That was the most amazing four days of fishing I’ve ever had,” said Cobb, who received one of B.A.S.S.’s coveted Century Belts for topping the 100-pound mark, along with Michigan’s Garrett Paquette, who placed second with 101-15. “When you set the hook at Lake Fork, you never know what you’re in for. I’ve wanted to go back there since the moment we rolled out of town.”

Cobb, whose catch for the week included an 11-pound, 1-ounce monster largemouth, earned $125,000 as his winner’s share of the event’s $1 million total purse. He also received a Toyota Tundra pickup truck for weighing the heaviest bass of the event.

That same incredible purse will be in place next year.

“You can look at the weights from last year and understand pretty easily why we’re going back to Lake Fork,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “It’s obviously one of the premier fisheries in the country.

“That, combined with the partnerships we have with Gulf States Toyota, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and several other fantastic area groups makes it an event that everyone at B.A.S.S. is looking forward to — and one that we believe fans of the sport will really enjoy.”

Cindy Hamrick, Vice President of Marketing for Gulf States Toyota, echoed Akin’s excitement.

“We are proud to once again present the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which showcases the great Texas outdoors,” Hamrick said. “Our continued partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department allows them to offer the Toyota ShareLunker Program and a number of youth and urban outreach programs.”

Wood County, Texas, Judge Lucy Hebron, who has helped with efforts to bring the event back to Fork, said several groups have worked hard to make it a reality.

“We would not be able to host the tournament this year were it not for the efforts of (General Manager) David Montagne and the wonderful folks at the Sabine River Authority,” Hebron said. “We truly appreciate all their hard work to make this happen.

“We also appreciate the help of our friends in the City of Quitman and the Quitman Economic Development Corporation, who are generously providing assistance for the tournament.”

Lake Fork presents a unique set of challenges for a bass tournament using a traditional format because of its slot limit. Anglers are required to release bass that measure between 16 and 24 inches, and may only bring in one bass per day that measures more than 24 inches long.

To comply with the slot limit regulation, B.A.S.S. will work with TPWD to once again use the “catch-weigh-immediate release” format that was used for the first time at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic at Lake Fork in 2007.

A judge in each angler’s boat will weigh and record the official weight of each bass caught. The bass will be immediately released, except for one fish over the slot, which can be taken back to the Texas Fest weigh-in stage to show off to fans.

Last year, when Cobb caught his 11-1 giant, he already had an 8-13 in his livewell that was released.

“That’s the only time in my life I can remember letting almost a 9-pounder go during a tournament,” Cobb said. “But those regulations are what have made that lake so great — and I think the format is a lot of fun at a place like Fork.”

As in past years, the full field of Elite Series anglers will fish Friday and Saturday, June 5-6. Anglers will take a break Sunday, June 7, for special Fan Appreciation Day festivities, including a TPWD Outdoors Adventures area, Bassmaster University seminars, the Bassmaster Outdoors Expo and the annual Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team Tournament.

The Top 40 remaining anglers, based on heaviest weight, will return to the water for the semifinal round on Monday, June 8. Then the Top 10 will compete on Championship Tuesday, June 9.

Constructed as a water supply reservoir, Lake Fork is owned and operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Impounded in 1980, Fork holds the state bass record of 18.18 pounds, it produced 30 of Texas’ Top 50 largemouth bass and seven of the Top 10. It dominates the list of Texas lakes that have produced 13-pound “Legacy” bass entered in the Toyota ShareLunker program. Fork has yielded more than 260 “teen” bass over the years and roughly 45% of the total ShareLunker Legacy entries statewide.

“In addition to its crucial importance as a major water supply reservoir for the east Texas area, Lake Fork has earned a global reputation as a premier largemouth bass fishery. Thanks to the longstanding partnership between the SRA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Fork Reservoir continues to positively impact our local and regional economies while providing a high quality, dependable supply of surface water,” said David Montagne, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Sabine River Authority of Texas.

“The SRA is proud to collaborate with other local entities, including Wood County, Wood County Economic Development Commission, the City of Quitman and the City of Quitman Economic Development Commission to host the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.”

The event will be covered in real time on Bassmaster LIVE with programming on Bassmaster.com and ESPN3 and in an episode of The Bassmasters television program to be aired later on ESPN2, ESPN Classic and The Pursuit Channel.

2020 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule:

Feb. 6-9, St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
Feb. 14-17, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.
March 6-8, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, Lake Guntersville, Birmingham, Ala.
April 2-5, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Ala.
April 16-19, Santee Cooper Lakes, Manning, S.C.
May 29-June 1, Sabine River, Orange, Texas
June 5-9, Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Fork, Quitman, Texas
July 23-26, St. Lawrence River, Waddington, N.Y.
July 30-Aug. 2, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Aug. 13-16, Elite makeup date
Aug. 20-23, Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, Mich.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.