GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – When anglers from Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League divisions nationwide visit Kentucky Lake for the Chevy Trucks Wild Card Regional Nov. 2-3, a dozen spots in the prestigious Wal-Mart BFL All-American will be on the line.
Anglers from 22 BFL divisions nationwide who entered all five qualifying events in their region but who did not otherwise qualify for post-season competition are eligible to compete in the Wild Card for one last chance at making the 2002 Wal-Mart BFL All-American, which features an estimated purse of $345,000 and ranks as one of the most lucrative post-season tournaments in competitive angling.
Each qualifier will compete as either a boater or a co-angler. Boaters fish from the front of the boat and control its movement while co-anglers fish from the back of the boat. Six boaters and six co-anglers from the Chevy Trucks Wild Card Regional will advance to the 2002 All-American May 29-June 1 where boaters will compete for a top award of $100,000 cash and co-anglers will fish for a top award of $50,000 cash.
More than $5.7 million could be awarded to anglers fishing the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League during the 2001 season based on full fields at each tournament. Additionally, Ranger Boats will award a new Ranger 518VX Comanche bass boat to the highest placing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program at the All-American. Ranger Cup participants are also eligible to win a $500 to $1,000 bonus at each BFL tournament. Anglers using fixed-mount GARMIN sonars are also eligible to win a $1,000 bonus at each BFL tournament as part of the GARMIN Grand Giveaway.
Competition starts at 7 a.m. Nov. 2 at Kentucky Dam State Resort Park Marina in Gilbertsville. Weigh-ins for the regional on Nov. 2 and 3 start at 3 p.m. at the marina.
“These anglers are some of the best bass fishermen in the country,” said Dan Grimes, tournament director. “Making it to the All-American has been a goal for them since the season began. They deserve a lot of credit for being able to fish well under a variety of conditions and for being here to give their dream one final shot.”
Aside from the six boaters and co-anglers who will advance to the All-American from the Chevy Trucks Wild Card, five regional championships each advanced eight boaters and co-anglers, and four boaters and co-anglers advanced from a sixth regional. A total of 50 boater and 50 co-anglers will compete in the All-American.
Last spring Wal-Mart announced its title sponsorship of the popular Operation Bass Red Man Tournament Trail series that is widely credited with opening competitive bass fishing to the masses. The announcement signaled the creation of the BFL and the end of an era for Red Man, which became the tour’s original title sponsor in 1983. Operation Bass has pioneered affordable, close-to-home, weekend tournaments for the last 22 years and today ranks as the leader in bass tournament promotion.