The Bass Federation (TBF), the largest and oldest organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization in North America with more than 20,000 members, announces the dates, locations and host states of its seven 2015 Division Championship events.
All 47 of the affiliated TBF State Federations fall into one of seven geographical divisions: Southwest, Northwest, Central, Southern, Northern, Mid-Atlantic and Eastern. The Eastern Division also includes the providence of Ontario, Canada.
Each TBF affiliated state federation qualifies a 12-angler team to compete in the no-entry-fee TBF Divisional Tournament Championship events, as scheduled for 2015:
Southwest Division, May 13-15, Clear Lake, Lakeport, Calif.
Northwest Division, May 20-22, Noxin Reservoir, Trout Creek, Mont.
Central Division, June 3-5, Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Aberdeen, Miss.
Southern Division, June 10-12, Lake Norman, Cornelius, N.C.
Northern Division, Sept. 9-11, Carlyle Lake, Carlyle, Ill.
Eastern Division, Sept. 16-18, Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford, N.H.
Mid-Atlantic Division, Sept. 23-25, Lake Erie, Erie, Pa.
“TBF anglers first compete in qualifying events in their own backyards for the opportunity to make the state team and advance on to a divisional championship,” explained TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “Everything past the state level is a no-entry-fee competition, with the chance to continue to move on to the Federation National Championship and ultimately the prestigious FLW Cup. State level qualifications will be starting soon so now is the time to get involved with your state federation.”
From the divisional championships, the highest two finishers from each state advance to compete in the 2016 TBF National Championship; each state’s top angler goes as a boater and the runner-up as a co-angler. All national qualifiers compete from brand new Ranger Boats for a share of the championship’s more than $200,000 in cash and prizes.
The TBF national champion on the boater side earns the lucrative TBF “Living the Dream” prize package, consisting of a cash prize, paid pro entries into the FLW Tour, travel funds, use of a wrapped Ranger boat for the year and a birth in the following year’s FLW Cup. The championship co-angler also gets the “Living the Dream” package and a cash prize, plus fully paid entry fees into the Rayovac FLW series of choice.
Also, the top two anglers from each of the seven TBF Division Championships, 14 anglers, advance to the BFL All-American.
All TBF events require membership in The Bass Federation. TBF membership fees are $50 and include all member benefits, plus a $45 full FLW competitor membership with full FLW benefits: a year-long FLW “Bass Fishing” magazine subscription, FLW tournament eligibility, FLW Fantasy Fishing advantages and other program opportunities and discounts.
A limited offer still available for new members is a special $100 membership opportunity that includes full 2015 TBF and FLW benefits, and comes with two custom TBF branded, high quality IM7 graphite 7′ fishing rods with cork handles. The rods are available in casting and spinning models. The offer is valid while rod supplies last.
For more information about state federation memberships and all TBF tournaments and programs, visit www.BassFederation.com or call 580.765.9031.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is the oldest and largest organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization in North America. TBF is 100 percent member owned and a proud member of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF affiliated federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events annually. Serving the fishing industry for more than 45 years, “TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing.”