Toyota Texas Bass Classic Fields Set for 2013 and 2014

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), the world championship of professional bass fishing, announced its final field today which will bring fifty of the world’s best anglers to Lake Conroe during Oct. 4-6. The three-day tournament combines the top finishers in the Angler of the Year points races from all three major tours including the Walmart FLW Tour, Bassmaster Elite Series and Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series. Daily tournament weigh-ins, outdoor expos and free concerts will be at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center in Conroe.

“We’re very excited about this amazing group of anglers that have qualified, there are some true legends of the sport along with some new faces that will get to compete for not one but two Toyota Texas Bass Classics in a row,” said Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur.

Earlier this year TTBC officials announced that in 2014 the event will return to Lake Fork, the inaugural host site, May 9-11, 2014. Final field qualification for both this year and next year’s TTBC events are based on 2013 Angler of the Year points races (Note: PAA Tournament Series has one event remaining until in their 2013 AOY qualification for 2014 TTBC). The list of competitors is highlighted by the 2013 AOY winners from each respective professional tour including Aaron Martens (Bassmaster Elite Series), Andy Morgan (FLW Tour) and Shinichi Fukae (PAA Tournament Series). The TTBC field is one of the strongest to date, field accomplishments include a combined $70 Million in career earnings, 239 tournament victories, 22 AOY titles and 17 Major Championship wins.

Other notable contenders include five anglers with Bassmaster Classic titles, including four-time winner Kevin VanDam (2011, 2010, 2005, 2001), Alton Jones (2008), Luke Clausen (2006), Jay Yelas (2002) and two-time TTBC runner-up Mike Iaconelli (2003). Iaconelli finished fourth at the 2013 Bassmaster Classic behind Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year Hank Cherry who will make his TTBC debut this year alongside Bassmaster Classic runner-up, Brandon Palaniuk.

Bryan Thrift will return to defend his 2012 TTBC title, along with former TTBC Champions Keith Combs (2011), Brian Snowden (2010), Kelly Jordan (2008) and Terry Scroggins (2007). Both Jordan and Scroggins qualified as sponsor exemptions in addition to fan favorites Iaconelli and Gerald Swindle.

Anglers will compete on Lake Conroe over three days, Oct. 4-6, 2013, with the field being reduced to the top-10 for the final round on Sunday, Oct. 6. The tournament will remain a non-entry fee event and all 50 competing anglers will receive guaranteed prize money. Through a continued partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), TTBC will continue its focus on conservation efforts and adhere to a strict catch, weigh and immediate release format. Over the last six years, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic has donated over $1.5 million to the TPWD, an effort that will continue again this year.

2013 Toyota Texas Bass Classic Final Field

Angler:                        Hometown:                             Qualified Through:

Matt Arey                      Shelby, North Carolina               PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Adrian Avena                Vineland, New Jersey                FLW Tour AOY Points

Tommy Biffle                Wagoner, Oklahoma                  Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Stetson Blaylock           Benton, Arkansas                      FLW Tour AOY Points

Tommy Brown              Louisville, Tennessee                 PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Hank Cherry                 Maiden, North Carolina              Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Jason Christie              Park Hill, Oklahoma                  FLW Tour AOY Points

Luke Clausen                Otis Orchards, Washington        FLW Tour AOY Points

Keith Combs                 Huntington, Texas                     Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Brandon Coulter           Knoxville, Tennessee                 PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

John Crews                  Salem, Virginia                          Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Cliff Crochet                 Pierre Part, Louisiana                Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Ott DeFoe                    Knoxville, Tennessee                 Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Jim Dillard                    West Monroe, Louisiana            PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

David Dudley                Lynchburg, Virginia                   FLW Tour AOY Points

Brent Ehrler                  Redlands, California                   FLW Tour AOY Points

Edwin Evers                 Talala, Oklahoma                      Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Todd Faircloth               Jasper, Texas                            Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Shinichi Fukae              Palestine, Texas                        PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Randy Haynes             Counce, Tennessee                   PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Mike Iaconelli                Pittsgrove, New Jersey              Sponsor Exemption

Alton Jones                   Lorena, Texas                           Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Kelly Jordon                  Palestine, Texas                        Sponsor Exemption

Brad Knight                  Wartburg, Tennessee                 PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Russ Lane                    Prattville, Alabama                    PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Bobby Lane                  Lakeland, Florida                       Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Justin Lucas                 Guntersville, Alabama                FLW Tour AOY Points

Aaron Martens Leeds     Alabama                                   Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Mike McClelland           Bella Vista, Arkansas                PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Cody Meyer                  Auburn, California                     FLW Tour AOY Points

Ish Monroe                   Hughson, California                   Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Dan Morehead              Paducah, Kentucky                   FLW Tour AOY Points

Andy Morgan                 Dayton, Tennessee                    FLW Tour AOY Points

Brandon Palaniuk          Rathdrum, Idaho                        PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Jacob Powroznik          Prince George, Virginia              FLW Tour AOY Points

Matt Reed                     Madisonville, Texas                   PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Mark Rose                     West Memphis, Arkansas          FLW Tour AOY Points

Fred Roumbanis            Bixby, Oklahoma                       PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Terry Scroggins             San Mateo, Florida                    Sponsor Exemption

Spencer Shuffield          Hot Springs, Arkansas               FLW Tour AOY Points

Brian Snowden              Reeds Spring, Missouri              PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Wesley Strader             Spring City, Tennessee              PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Gerald Swindle              Warrior, Alabama                      Sponsor Exemption

Randall Tharp               Port Saint Joe, Florida                FLW Tour AOY Points

Bryan Thrift                  Shelby, North Carolina               2012 TTBC Defending Champion

Kevin VanDam             Kalamazoo, Michigan                Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

Greg Vinson                  Wetumpka, Alabama                 Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

James Watson             Waynesville, Missouri                PAA Tournament Series AOY Points

Jay Yelas                      Corvallis, Oregon                       FLW Tour AOY Points

Chris Zaldain                San Jose, California                   Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points

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 www.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. Official sponsors of TTBC include ATX Wheels, Bass Pro Shops, Nitro Boats, Coca-Cola, Geico, Mustang CAT and Yamaha. For additional information, visit toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.

Mark your calendars for Oct. 4-6, 2013 @TxBassClassic. Dates Announced Here: http://bit.ly/VQvU01

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