For anyone interested in bass fishing, this week's Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport, La., Feb. 20 - 22, is the place to be. While 51 anglers compete for the championship title, dozens of other top pros will be appearing at the Classic Outdoors Expo at the Shreveport Convention Center as part of the tournament activities.
"Attending the Classic weigh-ins is great fun, but there's a lot more going on than just what's happening on the water," said John Kushnerick, marketing services director for Quantum. "We have seven pros competing in the Classic, but we also have 10 other angling all-stars who will be in our booth and readily accessible to talk fishing, take photos and sign autographs. I suggest that families attend both the expo and the weigh-ins to get the most from a Classic experience."
Representing Quantum in the quest for the 2009 Classic title are Kevin VanDam, Randy Howell, Greg Hackney, Shaw Grigsby, Gary Klein, Mike McClelland and Dean Rojas.
Among celebrity anglers to be in the Quantum booth are Bill Dance, Tommy Biffle, Paul Elias, Gerald Swindle, Mike Wurm, Jonathon VanDam, Anthony Randazzo, Billy Wallbaum, Judy Wong and Sheri Glasgow. A schedule showing the days and times for their appearances is posted at www.quantumfishing.com. Photos of fans and pros taken in the booth by Quantum personnel will also be made available for free download at the same web site.
Making their debut in the Quantum booth will be the brand new Tour Elite Signature Series of rods custom designed by top pros like VanDam, Hackney, Biffle and others. It will also be the first chance for many consumers to see and feel the newly redesigned Quantum PT baitcast and spinning reels.
Quantum pro Mike Wurm in particular is excited to show visitors the magic when Quantum rods, reels and Cajun Fluorocarbon are matched together. "We're talking state-of-the-art technology all the way around with this lineup," he said. "I can personally show and tell of my experiences with each."
As part of a Quantum exclusive for the Classic, those who buy any Quantum rod or reel at the expo will receive a free spool of Cajun Fluorocarbon at the Quantum booth with proof of purchase, along with a special Quantum hat designed for the Classic ... approximately a $40 value.
"I'll even show you the right way to spool your reel if you'd like, and we can have some other fun too," added Wurm. "In fact, do me a favor and please ask Biffle why he's not fishing the Classic this year. While we'd all rather be fishing this event, we do find it an entertaining alternative to watch Tommy turn red at the question."
The expo is free and open to the public. Expo hours are Friday, noon-9 p.m. CT; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. CT; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CT. All Quantum booth activities, including daily updates from the pros fishing the Classic, can be found at www.quantumfishing.com.
The Classic daily weigh-ins will be at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City. CenturyTel's doors will open at 3:30 p.m. CT, except on Saturday, Feb. 21, when a free concert by Zac Brown Band will begin at 3 p.m. CT.