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31ST BASS MASTERS CLASSIC
BEGINS IN THE BIG EASY
45 Top Pros Invade Louisiana Delta Searching for Fortune and
Fame
NEW ORLEANS, La.--August 1, 2001- As
the 31st prestigious BASS Masters Classic unfolds beginning Thursday,
the biggest topic of discussion among the contenders has centered
around how challenging the fishing is expected to be.
During the official scouting period in
June, the 45 Classic pros found the Louisiana Delta marshlands
to be stingy when it came to surrendering bass. That has been
attributed to a combination of drought conditions (which allowed
the spread of saltwater intrusion) followed by floodlike water
levels.
Although the water level was about 2 feet
lower for Tuesday's lone Classic official-practice day, there
was still plenty of gloom-and-doom predictions about the difficult
fishing conditions.
But such discussions are part facade, part
strategic posturing, according to legendary pro Roland Martin,
who competed in the first Classic in 1971 and is making his 23rd
run at the coveted crown.
"Everybody in this room probably shook
off fish today," Martin said at the daily press conference.
"The conditions are tremendously better in much of the waterway
than they were, and I'm getting far more strikes than I did four
weeks ago.
"The fishing is better than what everybody
is saying. Everybody was just testing the water today and not
trying to actually catch fish. But somebody is going to catch
some 15-pound stringers in this tournament. I just hope I'm one
of them. I'm on some fish, and I really feel good about it."
Martin admitted catching a quality, 5-pound-plus
bass Tuesday.
Another pro who voiced optimism was Texan
Alton Jones, who revealed that he had enjoyed a strong practice
session in late June and managed to relocate the same schools
of bass Tuesday. "I think the fishing will be better than
what everybody is claiming," said Jones, who qualified for
his sixth consecutive Classic appearance. "I think people
will be surprised by what is caught."
The Classic was held on these same waters
in 1999. South Carolina pro Davy Hite won that event with 15
bass weighing 55 pounds, 10 ounces.
The Classic contenders will be searching
for the largest five bass possible each day. Legal-sized bass
are 12 inches and longer.
In other Classic news on Wednesday, ESPN
and B.A.S.S. announced that the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail will
have a title sponsor for the first time in its lengthy history.
CITGO Petroleum Corp. will be the title sponsor of the 2001-02
BASSMASTER Tour and BASSMASTER Open circuits, as well as the
2002 Classic.
The Classic contenders will be fishing
for a $100,000 top prize and the most important title in the
sport. Winning the Classic is the high-water mark in professional
fishing and an accomplishment that has rewarded past winners
with as much as $1 million in residual earnings. The Classic
is the championship event of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail.
By sanctioning over 20,000 tournaments
worldwide, B.A.S.S. is the world's largest fishing organization.
The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious
pro bass fishing tournament circuit. It continues to set the
standard for credibility, professionalism, and sportsmanship
after more than three decades. B.A.S.S. is a wholly owned subsidiary
of ESPN.
Sponsors of the 2001 BASS Masters Classic
include: Chevrolet Trucks, Mercury Marine, Yamaha Outboards,
Triton Boats, Skeeter Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Pennzoil Marine,
Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, Stowaway Batteries, Kumho Tires,
Long John Silvers, Gore-Tex Outerwear, MotorGuide Trolling Motors,
Bass Pro Shops, Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools, GMAC Vehicle
& Boat Insurance, B.A.S.S. Platinum First USA Visa Card.
Associate Sponsors include: Bass Cat Boats,
G3 Boats
The 2001 BASS Masters Classic is presented
locally in conjunction with: State of Louisiana, Jefferson Parish
Tourism and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation.
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