Interest in Women's Bass Fishing Tour Growing
CELEBRATION, Fla. - With a high level of excitement and enthusiasm, women anglers signing up for the preview event of the newly created Women's Bassmaster Tour have nearly filled both the boater and non-boater fields, BASS officials said today.
The Women's Bassmaster Tour preview, scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas, was announced along with the 2006 Tour schedule in July at the 2005 Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh. Registration opened soon after and BASS has since been inundated by calls from women interested in fishing the preview event.
"It isn't unexpected, considering the diligent research we did," said Bruce Mathis, director, Women's Bassmaster Tour. "We are very encouraged by the response we have received by interested women. They are burning up the phone lines, and I have never heard such enthusiasm."
The preview event not only serves as a prelude to the 2006 schedule, but also cements the WBT as a reality.
"I don't know if I have ever been any happier in my life about something," said Rayburn competitor JoNell Whitstine of Pineville, La., who already is sponsored by Mercury. "This is just a dream come true to have this Tour and I am excited about fishing Rayburn."
With the deadline for participants fast approaching, women anglers who are interested must act fast to fish the preview event.
Once the preview event closes, women will have the chance to sign up for the five-event Women's Bassmaster Tour. The 2006 schedule is:
March 16-18 Toledo Bend Reservoir Many, La. April 20-22 Neeley Henry Lake Gadsden, Ala. May 18-20 Lewisville Lake Dallas, Texas July 27-29 Lake Norman Huntersville, N.C. Aug. 24-26 Lake Dardanelle Russellville, Ark.
