FLW pairs with USA Bass for Pan-American Bass Fishing Championship – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that they will assist USA Bass in their efforts to showcase the first ever Pan-American Bass Fishing Championship, Feb. 4-9, on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Florida. The championship event, which was awarded to USA Bass by the Pan-American Sportfishing Delegation, will feature anglers from 41 nations and is part of a larger effort by the Confederation Internationale de Peche Sportive (CIPS) to make bass fishing an Olympic sport.
“The international fishing community is thrilled about this event,” said tournament organizer and CIPS Vice President John Knight. “It fits perfectly into the global initiative to increase participation in bass fishing. Steps like this are making bass fishing the frontrunner when fishing becomes an Olympic sport.”
The legendary Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort in Clewiston is set to host the historic event. Knight said the Martin’s resort plays an essential role in providing anglers the best bass fishing experience in the world.
“Mary Ann, Scott and Roland Martin are legends of the sport and huge supporters of USA Bass,” said Knight. “Bass anglers from across the Americas are excited about fishing such an important event on one the world’s most famous bass fishing lakes.”
Teams will arrive Feb. 4 for the opening ceremony, followed by practice Feb. 5-6. Competition kicks off Feb. 7-8 with takeoff scheduled for 7:30 a.m. EST each day from the Clewiston Boat Basin. Weigh-ins each day will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort. A medal presentation will follow the final weigh-in.
FLW is actively working with USA Bass and CIPS to grow the worldwide bass-fishing audience. FLW currently sanctions bass tournaments in Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. Each country qualifies anglers to compete in the Costa FLW Series Championship, and eventually the Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. For more information about FLW’s global initiatives, visit FLWFishing.com.
USA Bass is part of U.S. Angling, a 501c3 charitable organization that supports the USA Bass team as they compete in Pan-American and World Championship fishing events around the globe. To learn more about USA Bass, and for a complete schedule of events, visit USABass.org.
