Bassmaster Elite Series to Wheeler Lake, Alabama
Category: press release
Apr 18th, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 18th, 2016 at 12:00 AM
B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization, will host the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake, April 28 – May 1, in Decatur, Ala. This event marks the fourth time B.A.S.S. has held a professional tournament on Wheeler Lake and is the fourth of 11 Bassmaster Elite Series professional bass fishing tournaments scheduled in 2016.
The tournament pits 109 of the top bass anglers in the world against each other as they compete for the $100,000 first-place prize. The field of competitors includes fishing superstar Kevin VanDam and 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro champion Edwin Evers. Also competing are 17 Alabama anglers: Clent Davis (Montevallo), Boyd Duckett (Guntersville), Matt Herren (Ashville), Tim Horton (Muscle Shoals), Randy Howell (Guntersville), Kelley Jaye (Dadeville), Steve Kennedy (Auburn), Kotaro Kiriyama (Moody), Chris Lane (Guntersville), Russ Lane (Prattville), Jordan Lee (Vinemont), Matt Lee (Guntersville), Justin Lucas (Guntersville), Aaron Martens (Leeds), Keith Poche (Pike Road), Gerald Swindle (Warrior), and Greg Vinson (Wetumpka).
From watching the first boats take off at 6:15 a.m. on Thurs., April 28, and the final weigh-in at Ingalls Harbor on Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m., to participating in the family-friendly Elite Series Expo, all activities and venues are free and open to the public. Companies like Mercury, Nitro, Skeeter, Triton, and Yamaha will have booths at the Elite Series Expo and will offer demo rides. Toyota, Carhartt, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, and Shimano will also exhibit.
Other activities planned throughout the weekend at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake include games and prizes for attendees, angler autograph and photo sessions and the opportunity to learn tips and techniques from some of the best bass anglers in the world.