American Bass Anglers announced today the 2014 American Fishing Tour season details with several enhancements. The tournament series is draw format and consist of more than 80 divisions that offer a place for both boaters and non-boaters alike. Anglers compete all year and can advance to the year end National Championship that will offer guaranteed boat use to all boaters, more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, a new award for the top placing non-boater and an all new cash payout for the Angler of the Year program.
The Tour is designed for the grassroots bass angler with each division offering holding 6-10 local bass tournaments. The concept is simple — do well fishing on your home lake and advance to the annual Grand National Championship and compete against other top Weekend Anglers in the country for major prizes.
Each AFT division host 6 to 10 one-day qualifying events a season with each paying out cash prizes. The winners can also qualify for Triton Gold bonus and additional sponsor bonuses. To enter divisional tournaments, members pay $70 for each one-day event and an annual membership fee of $25. Members can sign up online or even the morning of the event. New anglers can become members and sign up the morning of the event without paying any late fees.
At the end of each divisional season, each division will hold a two-day divisional championship to crown a divisional champion and the Angler of the Year for that division. The winning angler wins cash and can qualify for bonus money like Triton Gold. Each division’s Angler of the Year will receive a special invitation to compete in the Angler of the Year program that is held in conjunction with the National Championship. Entry fees for the two-day divisional championship are $140. Anglers must compete in four one-day events to be eligible to compete in an American Fishing Tour Divisional Championship.
The top 500 anglers nationally by points will be invited to compete in the 2014 National Championship. The top 250 boaters nationally by points will be given guaranteed boat use regardless of the number of non-boaters. If any of the top 250 boaters by points do not accept their invitation additional slots will be awarded by points going down the list until the top 250 boater slots are filled. The American Fishing Tour Champion will win a 21XS Triton Boat, 200hp Pro XS Mercury outboard loaded with sponsor product like ODYSSEY batteries, T-H Marine Hot Foot and Jack Plate, Carlisle Tires with Blackrock wheels. The entry fee for the Championship is $170 (includes $20 Polygraph fee) and pays back 20 percent of the field. Polygraphs will be administered to the top placing anglers as required.
New in 2014, there will be a lot on of the line for non-boaters with the top placing non-boater at the championship being awarded a new 19XS Triton boat with a 150hp Pro XS Mercury Marine Outboard, also loaded with sponsor products like ODYSSEY batteries, T-H Marine Hot Foot and Jack Plate, Carlisle Tires with Blackrock wheels. If any of the top 250 non-boaters by points do not accept their invitation, additional slots will be awarded by points going down the list until the top 250 non-boaters slots are filled.
The most coveted award in bass fishing is Angler of the Year. On the American Fishing Tour, the top angler by points from each division is invited to represent their division in the Angler of the Year program. The 2014 Angler of the Year program will be held during the 2014 championship with each divisional AOY having a shot to win a 21XS Triton boat with a 200hp Mercury Pro XS Motor, also loaded with sponsor products like ODYSSEY batteries, T-H Marine Hot Foot and Jack Plate, Carlisle Tires with Blackrock wheels. The Angler of the Year will be determined by highest total weight during the three-day Championship tournament among the registered Divisional Anglers of the Year. For an explanation of how the point system works and how to get started visit www.AmericanBassAnglers.com.
The 2014 American Fishing Tour National Championship including the Angler of the Year program will be held on Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tenn. October 22, 23 and 24. The event is hosted by Sumner County Tennessee CVB and the event is being held at Sanders Ferry Park located in Hendersonville.
Anglers can also get their entire entry fees paid for through the ABA Alliance Program. Sponsored by Triton and Mercury, this program pays up to $550 in American Fishing Tour entry fees plus ABA membership to any ABA tour for new Triton/Mercury owners. To learn more about the program visit your local Triton Dealer or www.tritonboats.com.
Currently there are several sponsor programs available for the anglers to win more cash from sponsors such as: Triton Gold, T-H Marine Atlas Awards, and Royal Purple Rewards.
Registration for the 2014 season is open for more information, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.