The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will return to Lake Conroe in 2010. The tournament received tremendous support in its first year on the Houston-area lake and will be held for the second time October 1 – 3. Ticketed activities for fans, including concerts, weigh-ins and expo areas, will take place October 2 and 3 at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center. The event benefits the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its outdoor recreation programs.
“We are pleased to bring the TTBC back to Lake Conroe after a thrilling finish last year,” said TTBC Co-Founders Dan Friedkin and Donato Ramos. “This tournament creates a national buzz through the television broadcast and exciting format. We couldn’t be happier about the positive impact it has on the community and TPWD.”
The 2010 TTBC will continue its partnership with the Professional Anglers Association (PAA), while adding to the star-studded field by incorporating anglers from the other professional leagues. The new format will create a true world championship of bass fishing, featuring head to head competition of the best from the PAA Bass Pros Shops Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite Series and the FLW Tour.
The field will be comprised of 50 of the greatest anglers in the world, including 2009 TTBC champion Dave Lefebre, the top-15 from the 2010 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Points, the top-15 from the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year Points and the top-15 from the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix. The final four anglers will be selected for exemptions by the TTBC. All professional anglers must be members of the PAA to compete.
Lefebre won the 2009 TTBC in dramatic fashion by catching his last bass with only 15 minutes left in the final round to win by four ounces over Andy Montgomery. Todd Auten and Aaron Martens also finished within one pound of Lefebre’s three-day total. The tournament was featured on a tape-delayed television broadcast and details for the 2010 television show will be announced soon.
Anglers will compete on Lake Conroe over three days with the field being reduced to the top-10 for the final round on Sunday, October 3. The tournament remains a non-entry fee event, with all 50 competing anglers taking home guaranteed prize money. The 2010 champion will earn $210,000. In addition, the TTBC will continue its focus on conservation and adhere to strict slot limits that have earned the event national praise the past three years.
“Toyota is thrilled to be on board again with this tremendous event and to be able to support TPWD and its efforts to educate Texans on the great fishing in this state,” announced Toby Hynes, President, Gulf States Toyota.
In 2010, the TPWD will reach $1 million in donations through the TTBC. Over the past three years, the TTBC has given $750,000 to benefit the TPWD’s first-class youth fishing and outreach programs. The 2010 donation will be a minimum of $250,000. “The focus of these programs is to expose kids and non-traditional users to the sport of fishing and the conservation efforts upon which all good fishing depends,” said JC Fassino, President, Texas Bass Classic Foundation.
The Tournament’s format is designed to appeal to spectators, and includes a kids’ area with outdoor activities, live music and giant video screens showing continuous action to the audience. A fishing industry expo will feature instructional clinics and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories.
Spectator activities will be held at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe. The Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information visit www.thelonestar.org.
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Corporate partnership opportunities are available for 2010. For additional information, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.
