Lintner victorious at Clear Lake

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Western Open - Clear Lake

LAKEPORT, Calif. - Jared Lintner and Chris Zaldain should fish together more often. The pair were randomly paired together on the final day of the CITGO Bassmaster Western Open at Clear Lake and won the boater and non-boater division respectively. Lintner takes home a $50,000 prize package including a fully-rigged Triton boat with Mercury outboard.

Omori captures second BASS win

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Central Open ― Norfork Lake

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - It takes a skilled angler to win two BASS tournaments in one year. Takahiro Omori put himself in that coveted category with a commanding 4 pound, 10 ounce win over Louisiana's Craig Dowling in the CITGO Bassmaster Central Open at Norfork Lake on Saturday winning more than $50,000 in cash and prizes including a new Triton boat with a Mercury outboard.

Tuck takes lead on Clear Lake

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Western Open - Clear Lake

LAKEPORT, Calif. -All it takes is a little confidence for California angler Michael Tuck to succeed. After a tough first day that included a lost 5 pounder on his first cast, Tuck regained his confidence and seized the Day 2 lead by catching a limit of 18 pounds, 15 ounces at the CITGO Bassmaster Western Open at Clear Lake. Tuck holds a 1-pound, 10-ounce lead over fellow Californian Ricky Shabazz.

Omori vaults into lead on Norfork

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Central Open ― Norfork Lake

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - Leave it to a former CITGO Bassmaster Classic winner to champion significantly tough conditions. Fighting through a near three-hour fog delay and extremely poor fishing weather, 2004 Bassmaster Classic champ Takahiro Omori seized the lead at the CITGO Bassmaster Central Open on Norfork Lake with his Day 2 catch of 9 pounds, 14 ounces. He leads Oklahoman and Day 1 leader Brad Hallman by a mere 13 ounces.

Limits abound in Western Open

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Western Open ― Clear Lake

LAKEPORT, Calif. - David Kromm of Kennewick, Wash., took a commanding lead early during the Day 1 weigh-in of the CITGO Bassmaster Western Open on Clear Lake with a five-fish limit that topped the scales at 21 pounds, 14 ounces - including his 9-pound, 3-ounce Puralator Big Bass of the day.

Hallman cruises to lead on Norfork

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Central Open ― Norfork Lake

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - Oklahoma's Brad Hallman was less than optimistic about his chances of taking the lead after catching 13 pounds, 13 ounces of bass on the opening day of the Norfork Lake CITGO Bassmaster Central Open. Little did Hallman know - due to bluebird weather conditions and anglers' unfamiliarity with the fishery - his total was enough to take first place by more than a pound over his closest competitor.

WOMEN’S BASSMASTER TOUR PREVIEW MOVED DUE TO HURRICANE RITA DEVASTATION

Lewisville Lake Now Set to Host Inaugural Event

CELEBRATION, Fla. - Because of substantial damage caused by Hurricane Rita in the area surrounding Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas, BASS has moved the Women’s Bassmaster Tour preview event to Lewisville Lake outside of Dallas. The dates of the event will remain the same.

BASS CANCELS ESPN OUTDOORS BASSMASTER SERIES EVENT AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR DUE TO IMPACT OF HURRICANE RITA

Due to the impact of Hurricane Rita, BASS has cancelled the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series event scheduled on Oct. 9 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas.

BRUCE WILLIS TO RECEIVE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AWARD

CELEBRATION, Fla. - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced today that it will honor film actor Bruce Willis for his support of conservation at the Celebrating the Great Outdoor fundraising event on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 at New York City's Randall Island.

Morgan overtakes Scroggins to win

CITGO Bassmaster Southern Open - Guntersville, Ala.

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Tennessee's Andy Morgan saw an ambitious dream come true on Saturday during the final round of the CITGO Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Guntersville when he came from behind to win the first BASS event he ever entered.

"My first BASS - I like it," the 33-year-old angler said. "This is sweet. I guess that would be the word for today - sweet."

BASS RESCHEDULES CITGO BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN ON NORFORK LAKE

ARKANSAS EVENT MOVED DUE TO HURRICANE RITA

Due to impending hurricane conditions and in the best interest of all concerned, BASS has rescheduled the CITGO Bassmaster Central Open on Norfork Lake in Arkansas, originally scheduled for Sept. 29- Oct. 1.

TENESSEAN ANDY MORGAN DELIVERS 22-1 TO SCALES, TAKES DAY 1 LEAD ON LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Using a deep water short-casting technique, Dayton, Tenn. resident Andy Morgan took the lead after Day 1 of the CITGO Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Guntersville with 22 pounds, 1 ounce. Heading into Day 2, he commands a half-pound lead over runner-up Terry Scroggins, who ended the day with 21-9.

Chapman wins 'Busch Shootout'

2005 BUSCH Shootout: Table Rock Lake - Springfield, Mo.
RIDGEDALE, Mo. - Brent Chapman was getting ready to make the 45-mile run to the marina at Big Cedar Lodge Saturday morning when he decided to make a few casts at a spot he originally had ignored.

That decision produced a couple of keeper bass that helped Chapman earn $100,000 as the winner of the second annual 'Busch Shootout' on Table Rock Lake.

Big Bag Earns Rodrigues Oneida Win

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open - Syracuse, N.Y.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Joey Rodrigues of Danbury, Conn., won his first ever BASS event today, sealing the CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open win on Oneida Lake by a mere two ounces over runner-up Shinichi Fukae.

Mize gets ahead of pack in Busch Shootout

RIDGEDALE, Mo. - Jimmy Mize had always practiced well at Table Rock Lake, but he'd never done well in a CITGO Bassmaster tournament here.

That all changed for Mize on the opening day of the 'BUSCH Shootout' out of the Big Cedar Lodge.

Mize, of Ben Lomond, Ark., led the way Friday with a five-fish limit weighing 14 pounds, 3 ounces. That stringer included the heaviest bass of the day at 5 pounds, 8 ounces. "I've had some really good practice days here," Mize said. "I've been fishing here 18 years and I've never cashed a check here."

Northeast winds, rain make fishing tough on Oneida

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open - Syracuse, N.Y.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Gusty winds and pouring rain on Day 2 of the CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake didn't stop Japanese angler Shinichi Fukae from pulling a limit of 15 pounds, 8 ounces of smallmouth bass to overtake first place in the three-day event.

Nels nails Oneida on Day One

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open ― Syracuse, N.Y.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Leading a BASS tournament for the first time in his life, Craig Nels, 23, is ecstatic about today's performance on the water. Nels pulled in an impressive 17 pounds, 9 ounces from Oneida Lake's depths on Day 1 of the CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open. A resident of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Nels lives just 18 miles from Oneida Lake. He fishes Oneida regularly, but this day's catch came from an area he visited just this past week during practice.

TABLE ROCK LAKE ANNOUNCED AS HOME TO SECOND ANNUAL ‘BUSCH SHOOTOUT’

13 Anglers Compete for $100,000 Grand Prize at Table Rock Lake in Missouri’s Ozarks

ST. LOUIS - Anglers arrived at airports this morning with no idea where they would find themselves this afternoon. Unlike other fishing tournaments, packing tackle for the BUSCH Shootout was a guessing game. After landing at the Springfield, Mo. airport, anglers eventually found themselves at Bass Pro where the announcement was made that they would fish on Table Rock Lake over the next two days and enjoy the comforts of Big Cedar Lodge.

BASS INTRODUCES ELITE SERIES TO SHOWCASE WORLD’S BEST ANGLERS

Tournament Enhancements Include Doubling CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year Prize Purse; Creation of 2 CITGO Bassmaster Tours to Replace Bassmaster Opens

CELEBRATION, Fla. - BASS announced major enhancements today to its tournament structure, creating the all new CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series - the highest level of competition featuring the worldﾕs top anglers and awarding more than $11 million. Additionally, BASS is introducing the CITGO Bassmaster Northern and Southern Tours ﾐ events that qualify anglers for the Elite Series.

BASS TAKES GREAT EXCEPTION TO PAA REPORT

On Monday, Aug. 15th, BASS and ESPN Outdoors met with both PAA and non-PAA members to openly discuss future tournament plans. Since that time, there have been significant omissions and gross misrepresentations made by the Professional Anglers Association. Furthermore, we categorically disagree with assertions made by PAA leadership questioning the long-time stability and success of the Bassmaster Tour. We view their comments as baseless and without merit.

B.A.S.S. Recognizes The PAA

　Monday, August 15, 2005, the PAA board and its executive director met with ESPN and BASS officials in Orlando, FL. The PAA board members in attendance included Gene Ellison, Kevin VanDam, Mike Auten, Brent Chapman, Alton Jones, Tim Horton, Edwin Evers, Shaw Grigsby, and Gary Klein. Others anglers in attendance included Randy Howell, Stephen Browning, and Davy Hite. ESPN and BASS officials in attendance included Mark Quenzel, Don Rucks, Dean Kessel, Terry Tesch, Jim Downs, Dave Precht, Amy Skiff, Christine Godleski, George McNeilly, Gary Jones and Trip Weldon and a representative of JM Associates also attended.

WORLDWIDE AUTHORITY ON BASS FISHING GROWS WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANGLERS

CELEBRATION, Fla. - BASS is moving forward with innovative ideas and exciting programs. Now more than ever, BASS is fulfilling the fishing needs of every angler as they flip, pitch and cast their way to BASS glory.

And while the pulse-pounding action of the catch is more than enough to lure spectators and viewers, there are dozens of stories waiting to be uncovered. Here are just a few of them:

Fish care always a priority at BASS

BASS Conservation provides tips for recreational anglers

PITTSBURGH - BASS Conservation today reminded a room full of reporters at the 35th annual CITGO Bassmaster Classic that conservation should always be a top priority and work is continuing to promote awareness and education on the topic.

Pittsburgh final notebook

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Outdoors Expo Draws Droves of Fans

The ESPN Outdoors Expo presented by Under Armour hosted nearly 34,000 people Thursday evening through Sunday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Say hello to the new champ!

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic; Pittsburgh, Pa.

PITTSBURGH - When the 35th edition of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic ended on Sunday, a pair of highly accomplished pros found themselves in very familiar positions.

Michigan's Kevin VanDam brought a five-bass limit to the scales that weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces. The limit - rare for this Classic, which set an all-time record low final weight - was enough to overtake second-round leader Aaron Martens by a scant 6 ounces. VanDam's three-day total of 12-15 enabled the three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year to add a second coveted Classic trophy to his mantel in Kalamazoo.

Pittsburgh Day 2 notebook

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Kids Cast for Scholarship, National Title

Nine-year-old Kiana Clark of Washington and 14-year-old Corey Harrington of North Carolina were officially named the national champions of BASS' CastingKids competition today at the 35th annual Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh.

A battle down to the wire

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic; Pittsburgh, Pa.

PITTSBURGH - Keeper-size Three Rivers bass have proven to be somewhat rare commodities in the first two rounds of the 35th annual CITGO Bassmaster Classic. But the struggle is being overshadowed by the dramatic battle involving some of the sport's biggest names that is shaping up for Sunday's final round.

Pittsburgh Day 1 notebook

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pittsburgh Shows up for Classic
Aaron Martens, tied for second place after Day 1 in the CITGO Bassmaster Classic, said droves of Pittsburgh fans came out on the waters to experience the Super Bowl of bass fishing firsthand. "The spectator boats out there today were some of the best I've ever seen," said Martens, who has fished five other Classics. About 2,000 spectators attended the Classic launch this morning at Point State Park. About 2,000 spectators attended the Classic launch this morning at Point State Park, while nearly 6,000 attended the weigh-in at Mellon Arena this afternoon, according to BASS officials.

Jimmy Mize takes Classic lead

2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic; Pittsburgh, Pa.

PITTSBURGH - It's been a good week for the Mize family.

After BASS announced details regarding the Women's Bassmaster Tour - a new outlet for women anglers like Lucy Mize and daughter Melinda Mize to fish - Lucy's husband Jimmy Mize took the lead position on Day 1 in the 35th annual CITGO Bassmaster Classic.

BASS REVEALS DETAILS OF 2006 WOMEN’S BASSMASTER TOUR

　Locations, Dates Announced; Triton, Mercury Major Sponsors

PITTSBURGH ? In 2006, the newly created Women’s Bassmaster Tour will visit lakes in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina and Missouri, BASS announced. Further, a preview event for the three-day, pro-am series will take place Oct. 20 ? 22 this year on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas.