TBF deadline March 31

The deadline for bass clubs to join the Texas Bass Federation is quickly approaching.

March 31 is the cutoff, said Tom Enloe, TBF president.

The "hook" for many fishermen is the chance TBF offers to fish for the $1 million first-place prize in the Wal Mart/ FLW Outdoors signature event, the Forrest Wood Cup.

The invitation-only competition will feature top FLW Tour pros such as Jay Yelas, Scott Suggs, Dan Morehead, and many others.

"TBF is the best route for the weekend fisherman to qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup, the superbowl of bass fishing," Enloe said. "Anglers can fish in our statequalifying event, do well there, and compete in the divisional tournament. Our 12 top state finishers will win a sponsored trip to the divisional TBF competition on Lewis and Clark Reservoir in Nebraska."

The Texas state qualifying event will be held May 2-3 on Richland- Chambers Reservoir near Corsicana.

Besides the chance to fish alongside FLW veterans and compete for huge sums of cash, many other benefits exist for member clubs, including discounts on sponsored merchandise: Ranger boats, Lowrance electronics and more. Top finishers qualify to fish in elite contests including the FLW/Stren Tour, Bassfan Army Weekend Warrior Championship, FLW/Wal Mart Bass Fishing League All-American, and others. Payouts often exceed $100,000.

The winner of the national federation championship will be awarded the "Living the Dream" contract, which includes the use of a wrapped, Yamaha-powered Ranger boat and Chevy truck, and fully paid entry fees into the six FLW Tour events or five FLW Series events.

"When a club joins TBF, they retain all their individuality and local control, but they get the chance to meet some new folks and fish on lakes they may not have fished before," Enloe said. "And the opportunities to advance to higher levels is pretty good, too."

TBF has a youth tournament each year, featuring two age divisions: 11 to 14 and ages 15 to 18. The winner of each division qualifies for the National Guard-sponsored Junior Angler World Championship.

"We have a top-six event each November to finish out the year. It's kind of a way for us to say 'thanks' to our clubs with great prizes, camaraderie, and recognition of our best six anglers from each club," Enloe said.

For more information on joining the Texas Bass Federation, or finding a bass club in the area that is a member club, visit the TBF Web site at www.tbftx.org, contact Tom Enloe at 325-660-5627, or email tebam11@aol.com.