Toyota Texas Bass Classic

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic, April 13-15, is supposed to be one of the biggest things for the bass fishing world ever. It's on Lake Fork (arguably the best bass fishing lake in the country) and will host 160 pro anglers competing for a huge $1 million dollar purse. See the info here.

In fact, my wife is even getting excited about it. Now my wife could care less about bass fishing (I think most of you can relate to that), but that all changed just a few days ago. We heard a radio ad for the tournament and it mentioned the entertainment from Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker. Her jaw dropped, because she's a huge country music fan. "Is that true?" "They're going to be there?" "I'm going to get to see them in concert?" Yes, dear. Now she's as excited about the tournament as I am, just for different reasons.

Now the real interesting part is going to be the format of the tournament. The pros have been divided into teams of four, but only two pros go out on the lake at a time. The others get to stay back and rub shoulders with us regular folk. So the first pair goes out in the morning for their try at the fishing. At lunch, they drive back in, circle up with their other teammates and share strategy. Then the other two members go out for the rest of the afternoon.

This does mean there are two weigh-ins each day, and that we have the chance to meet some of the anglers we watch each weekend. It's also great for sponsors because they have their pros at the booths during the day when most visitors are there. And finally, it could mean there are a lot more fish of larger size because the pros are sharing strategies. Of course, it could mean nothing. We'll just have to see. Either way it's going to be an exciting tournament.

I'll be spending my time at the Solar Bat booth and weigh-in areas helping all you anglers find the right Solar Bats. So come by and try on a pair. Or just come by and watch the weigh-in. Considering the showing from the pro anglers, and it's on Lake Fork, and everything is bigger in Texas, this could mean big things for bass fishing. I'm hoping on a new state record, maybe a 19-pounder!

See you at Lake Fork next month!