Toyota Angler, Bassmaster Champion Join Toyota Texas Bass Classic Field

With the Toyota Texas Bass Classic less than a month away, tournament officials are pleased to announce more qualifiers to the 2012 field list. The top 15 from the Bassmaster Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year standings have qualified, joining the top 15 from the Walmart FLW Outdoors Angler of the Year list. Highlights from the field include defending Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane and Toyota angler Terry Scroggins. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic will take place Sept. 28-30 at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe.

“The field is shaping up to be really strong this year,” Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur said. “The addition of these talented anglers is going to make an even better weekend for all the fans, and we’re excited for the Houston and Conroe communities to come out and experience it.”

Terry Scroggins finished third in the Angler of the Year race, and this season on tour, he has three top 10 finishes. He has had a strong history at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, with his team winning the inaugural event in 2007 and finishing fourth in 2008.

Winner of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, Chris Lane finished 14th in the Angler of the Year rankings. He was also the winner of 2012 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1 in January, and throughout his B.A.S.S. career, he’s competed in 110 tournaments, finishing in the top ten 17 times.

Other qualified anglers include Ott Defoe, Todd Faircloth, Randy Howell, Matthew Herren, Edwin Evers, Bill Lowen, Aaron Martens, Bobby Lane, Greg Hackney, David Walker, Dean Rojas, Cliff Pace and John Crews. The final twenty anglers will be filled with the 2011 champion, Keith Combs, four sponsor exemptions and the top 15 from the 2012 Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series Angler of the Year.

Limited quantities of free tickets are available this year to the three-day outdoor music festival and professional bass fishing world championship. Fans can obtain free tickets online now at toyotatexasbassclassic.com, while supplies last. Tickets are available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday individually. Fans can also pick up TTBC tickets at any Toyota dealership or Academy Sports + Outdoors location in the greater Houston area. Walk-up tickets the day of the event will require a donation towards the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and all days are subject to sell out.

The daily tickets are valid for admission into the festival grounds for angler weigh-ins and the concert on that particular day. All activities, including concerts, weigh-ins, Reliant Outdoor Adventures Area and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Expo will take place at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center’s festival grounds in Conroe. Concert headliners include Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan and Jake Owen.

The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information, visit thelonestar.org.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Other sponsors include: Ricoh, ATX Wheels, Coca-Cola, TXU and U.S. Reel. Corporate partnership opportunities are available for 2012. For additional information, visit toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.

BASSMASTER TOUR QUALIFIED ANGLERS

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