VIDEO: 2011 TTBC Champion Keith Combs

2011-10-31T13:30:00Z

$250,000 Donation to the TPWD

2011-10-30T16:37:00Z

Funds from TTBC vital to youth fishing programs

By Alan Clemons, PAA Communications

CONROE, Texas- Professional fishermen win the prizes, attendees see the anglers and watch the concerts, and sponsors show off their products to the thousands who pass through the annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic.

The biggest prize, though, goes to the beneficiary of the event proceeds, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TPWD has received more than $1 million from the event since its inception in 2007. Given the sweeping budget cuts this year and next, this year’s TTBC couldn’t come at a better time. Budget reductions have been spread among multiple TPWD divisions and Inland Fisheries was not insulated from those cuts that include money along with full- and part-time staff.

“We wanted the proceeds to go to help introduce youth and families to fishing in Texas, and especially in urban areas,” said Dave Terre, TPWD Inland Fisheries chief of management and research. “Texas has 16 million people living in its urban areas, and many have never fished.”

The Neighborhood Fishing Program was established with the help of TTBC funds, where TPWD partners with local governments to provide fishing opportunities in local parks.

“And a new fishing pond was constructed within San Antonio that is very popular,” Terre said.

TTBC funds also support the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, a national competition for students in grades K-12 requiring students to learn about an official state fish and depict it in a drawing or painting.

“And a Texan was the national Best in Show winner this year,” Terre said.

The “Fish Texas” trailer travels to events across the state, thanks to TTBC funds, as well as a series of “Take Me Fishing 101” videos that have been viewed by more than 100,000 people, Terre said.

“Our goal is to increase outdoor participation among today’s youth and develop conservation-minded anglers,” Terre said. ‘”Ultimately, that benefits everyone.”

Terre said the budget cuts have widespread ramifications in the TPWD. Agency officials have looked at every possibility, division, program and plan for the future.

“It translates into a variety of things,” Terre said. “We lost hatchery personnel, but we still have the hatcheries. Can we maintain production with less people? Some of that remains to be seen. We also lost some of our staff in fisheries management research, which is a team that looks at lakes and monitors our lakes, makes determinations on if they need fish and then we make fish for public water bodies.

“We’re committed to the anglers and the resource to do all we can do. We’re not sitting on our thumbs.”

Fishing programs key

Terre said the urban fishing programs “are a high priority in the state” and believes they’ll continue on stable ground.

“I think our ability to produce catfish to stock for these programs will be the same,” he said. “But our ability to expand the program is definitely impacted. If we lost funding through the TTBC, our ability to replace some of what is lost would be difficult.

“It just emphasizes the importance of the TTBC and the donations from people interested in helping. With the TTBC we’ve been able to grow the urban program by five lakes. The $250,000 per year has allowed us to contract with private fish hatcheries in the state to expand the program. The program operates in partnership with local communities or cities and they control those lakes, but we have a partnership with them.

“It’s a complex partnership among groups but one that has worked well, and one we definitely look forward to continuing,” Terre added.

For information on the TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishing program, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/urban_catfish.phtml

U.S. Reel Pro-Am Results

2011-10-27T23:22:00Z

All 50 anglers were paired with two amateurs guests for a one-day team competition on Thursday, October 27. The amateur guests were treated to first-class experience with gift package and over five hours of fishing with their pro on Lake Conroe.

Team Winners

First Place: 20 lbs.
Pro: Harold Allen
Amateurs: Larry Egidy, OT Fears

Second Place: 16 lbs. 4 oz.
Pro: Kelly Jordon
Amateurs: Toby Hynes, Marc Watts

Third Place: 15 lbs. 4 oz.
Pro: Mark Rose
Amateurs: Jay Gulley, Chris Mahfouz

Complete Leaderboard > Click Here

Professional Big Bass

Mark Rose - 8 lbs. 4 oz.

Amateur Big Bass

Marc Watts - 7 lbs.

Toyota Texas Bass Classic - Professional Fishing Tournament & Music Concerts - September 28-30, 2012 - Lone Star Convention & Expo Center - Conroe, TX - Home

VIDEO: 2011 TTBC Champion Keith Combs

$250,000 Donation to the TPWD

U.S. Reel Pro-Am Results