First of its Kind Fishing Tournament Proves to be a Success
 
Lake Fork, TX –The first annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, held April 13 – 15 at Lake Fork in East Texas, successfully wrapped up on Sunday evening, awarding a combined total of $1 million in prize money and contributing to the community as well as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
 
The first-of-its-kind bass fishing tournament grouped 160 Professional Anglers into teams of four. The event combined the conservation aspects of the Lake Fork’s slot limits with certified observers and on-the-water scales, allowing anglers to weigh fish normally not allowed on a slot-limit lake. The TPWD Inland Fisheries Division provided technical support and the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) oversaw tournament regulations and operations.
 
“Through the support and hard work of multiple organizations, this tournament has reinvented the bass fishing tournament format and reinvigorated the sport for many,” said PAA executive director Gene Ellison.
 
“Planned as an annual event, the tournament both showcased the great bass fishing that Texas has to offer and raised funds to help support the TPWD and its mission of increasing access to the outdoors and developing outdoor opportunities for all,” said co-founders of the tournament and TPWD Commissioners Dan Friedkin and Donato Ramos.
 
At the conclusion of tournament, lead sponsor Toyota presented a check for $250,000 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Phil Durocher, TPWD director of inland fisheries was very pleased, commenting, “This generous gift will contribute to the growth and success of our youth programs and strengthen the department’s urban fishing program throughout the state.”
 
The tournament included many family-friendly activities and musical performances by country music stars Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence. An estimated 27,500 people attended the events at Lake Fork over the course of the Pro-Am and TTBC tournaments, including the 1000-plus on-site support staff members
 
Terry Scroggins’ team captured the top prize of $250,000 and included anglers Chris Daves, James Niggemeyer and Frank Ippoliti.
 
"It's awesome," Scroggins said. "We had 160 of the best anglers in the world here, from both FLW and BASS, and to go out and beat all those guys is pretty cool.”
 
The Lucchese Big Bass Award went to angler John Sappington for his largest tournament catch, weighing in at 11 pounds 2 ounces. The big catch earned him a custom pair of Lucchese Boots, Stetson hat and a Lucchese edition Toyota Tundra truck.
 
CBS broadcasted an hour-long TTBC segment on Mother's Day, Sunday May 13, at 2 p.m. EST.

TTBC Total Final Round Tournament Catches: 93
TTBC Total Final Round Tournament Weight: 988-12

TTBC Total Tournament Catches: 1,060
TTBC Total Tournament Weight: 4358-2

The BIG FISH of the TTBC weiged 11 lb 2 oz caught by John Sappington with team #34. Sappington wins a new 2007 White Lucchese edition Toyota Tundra for catching the biggest fish.

Pro/Am Results: The top three teams in Thursday’s Pro/Am of the TTBC were:


1. Team #1- Kelly Jordon, Rex Whiteside, Ryan Friedkin- 32 lbs 7 oz
2. Team #45- Dan Morehead, Ben Maki, Bob McNally – 30 lbs 9 oz
3. Team #91- Peter Thilveros, Jason Reaves, Stan Brown- 25 lbs 14 oz

The BIG FISH of the Pro-Am was 11 lb 1 oz caught by Dan Morehead.

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Day 3 - Final Standings:

Standings below are cumulative from days 1, 2 and 3 and are official. The first five winning teams from days one and two qualified for day three.