(Press release)

Friday and Saturday, October 9th and 10th the Central Texas Community has an opportunity to say thank you to our United States Military for the freedoms they protect. The Central Texas Marine Association, Inc. in cooperation with the United State Army Family Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) will host a Bass Tournament at Lake Belton. The Fishing for Freedom 2009 Bass Tournament will offer over $50,000.dollars in cash and prizes. While a tournament of this size may require entry fees of up to $300.dollars per fisherman, Fishing for Freedom is a FREE BASS TOURNAMENT!

In 2008 the Fishing for Freedom event took over 190 veterans fishing and gave away over $50,000.dollars in cash and prizes. The fun begins on Friday, October 9th at 4:00pm at the Killeen Convention Center. (Agenda attached) Sign-in of boaters and non-boaters will take place between 4:00pm and 6:30pm. Raffle prizes that help raise funds to support the event, include a G3 Boat, Yamaha Motor, and Bear Custom Trailer. Fishing Seminars on Friday night include David Port of Humminbird, Mark Prentice of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Homer Humphries, B.A.S.S. Pro, and Tony Gergley of Sure Life Products. Participants will be treated to a Bar B Q dinner by J & M Bar B Q, courtesy of Texas Partners Federal Credit Union. Following the meal, Forrest L. Wood, founder of Ranger Boats will be the evening program guest speaker.

Saturday morning the gates to the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) will open to begin the Fishing for Freedom Tournament. While tournament participants may launch at any available boat ramp on Lake Belton, fishermen must start and finish at BLORA. Boats will leave in flights according to team numbers drawn with 25 boats per flight. The fishing portion of the tournament will begin at “Safe Light” as determined by the Tournament Director. Weigh-In at the completion of fishing time will begin at 1:00pm for the first flight; 1:15pm for the second flight; etc. Based on a field of 200 boats the last flight should be in the weigh-in line not later than 2:45pm. Fishermen may weigh-in their best 5 bass. Lake Belton has a variety of bass including Largemouth Black Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Kentucky Spotted Bass. For the tournament a bass must be a minimum of 14 inches long as weighed on the tournament weigh-in board. Awards based on heavy stringers and Big Bass are scheduled to begin at 3:30pm. The First Place Team will win a new Triton Bass Boat powered by a Mercury Motor. The First Place Prize is valued at 17,999.dollars.

The public is invited to come to the weigh-in in support of our United States Military; and besides, it’s really fun! While at the weigh-in you will notice the care taken with the bass that are weighed. They will be placed in a Live-Catch and Release Tank treated with Sure Life. This will provide a calming effect on the bass and enhance the slime coat on their skin that is important to their survival. Once treated in this way the bass will be returned to Lake Belton to live to fight another day.

NOTE: Although there is not an entry fee charged for this event, registration is required. Central Texas Bass Fisherman may participate by signing up online at fishingforfreedom.org. As a boater, you will be paired with an Active Duty or Retired Military Fisherman. Early registration is encouraged. The field is limited to 200 boaters.

For additional information contact:
Cliff Brown, Texas Boat World
cbrown@texasboatworld.com
Rick Smith, Marine Outlet
rick@marineoutlet.com