Top 35 bass anglers set to compete at Lake Fork
Category: press release
Apr 2nd, 2015 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 2nd, 2015 at 12:00 AM
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will feature 35 of the world’s best anglers Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 – 25, 2015 on Lake Fork in Quitman, Texas. Highlights from the field include 3-time TTBC winner and defending champion, Keith Combs and 2015 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Casey Ashley.
The 2015 final field is made up of the top 15 anglers in 2014 Angler of the Year points from both the FLW and Bass Elite Series. Other notable anglers include 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Greg Hackney, 2013 recipient and 2014 runner-up Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens, and Andy Morgan, 2014 and 2013 FLW Tour Angler of the Year.
“This is one of the strongest and most talented fields we’ve ever had,” said Lenny Francoeur, Tournament Director. “We shattered records during last years’ event and with yet another star studded field; we could be looking at rewriting those records this Memorial Day on Lake Fork.”
The field boasts a combined 190 wins, 19 Angler of the Year Awards, 19 Majors and over $56 million in career earnings. In addition to 30 professional anglers there are 4 sponsor exemptions which include Mike Iaconelli, Kelly Jordon, Terry Scroggins and Kevin VanDam and defending champion, Keith Combs.
“The TTBC is the tournament I look forward to above all others each year,” said Keith Combs “As a native Texan, it was a dream come true to win my third TTBC title last year and I cannot wait to return to the incredible Lake Fork, with the best anglers in the world, to defend my title in May.”
Along with the coveted title of TTBC Champion, the anglers will be battling it out for two additional awards: the Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award and the LEER Heavy Weight Award. The Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award is new to the 2015 event. The angler who catches the single heaviest fish from any of the three days of the competition will win a 2015 Toyota Tundra. The LEER Heavy Weight Award is awarded to the angler with the heaviest total weight of fish from any of the three days of the tournament will win a LEER truck cap.
2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic final field:
Matt Arey Shelby, North Carolina
Casey Ashley Donalds, South Carolina
Jason Christie Park Hill, Oklahoma
Keith Combs Huntington, Texas
John Crews Salem, Virginia
Mark Davis Mount Ida, Arkansas
Brent Ehrler Redlands, California
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas
Shinichi Fukae Palestine, Texas
Greg Hackney Gonzales, Louisiana
Matthew Herren Trussville, Alabama
Brett Hite Phoenix, Arizona
Mike Iaconelli Runnemede, New Jersey
Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas
Chris Lane Guntersville, Alabama
Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, California
Justin Lucas Guntersville, Alabama
Aaron Martens Leeds, Alabama
Scott Martin Clewiston, Florida
Cody Meyer Auburn, California
Andy Morgan Dayton, Tennessee
Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Illinois
Michael Neal Dayton, Tennessee
Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho
Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, Virginia
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Arizona
Mark Rose West Memphis, Arkansas
Shad Scheneck Waynetown, Indiana
Terry Scroggins Palatka, Florida
Wesley Strader Spring City, Tennessee
Gerald Swindle Warrior, Alabama
Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, Florida
Bryan Thrift Shelby, North Carolina
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Michigan
Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, Indiana
About the Tournament: The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is a world-class bass fishing tournament, featuring the top 35 bass anglers in the world, and a festival that includes exceptional entertainment and a variety of family and industry activities. This three-day event will take place Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25, 2015 on Lake Fork in Quitman, Texas.
Events / Entertainment: Extraordinary live music and events that will appeal to the whole family. This will include a variety of games and activities at the Brookshire’s Outdoor Adventures Area, incredible food and a fishing industry expo, featuring seminars and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories.
Charity: Proceeds benefit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. For more information click here to visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife page. www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Current sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Nitro Boats, Wood County Industrial Commission, Anheuser-Busch, LEER Truck Caps, The Coca-Cola Company, Tellespen, GoPro, HOLT CAT, JBL, GEICO, Brookshire’s Grocery Company, Kim’s Convenience Store, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Allied Waste Systems, Peoples Telephone Cooperative, TLC Media, Tyler Morning Telegraph, 105.7 KYKX, The Ranch KKUS 104.1, KMOO 99.9 & Sabine River Authority.
For additional information, visit ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.