The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), the world championship of professional bass fishing, announced its final field today which will bring fifty of the world’s best anglers to Lake Conroe during Oct. 4-6. The three-day tournament combines the top finishers in the Angler of the Year points races from all three major tours including the Walmart FLW Tour, Bassmaster Elite Series and Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series. Daily tournament weigh-ins, outdoor expos and free concerts will be at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center in Conroe.
“We’re very excited about this amazing group of anglers that have qualified, there are some true legends of the sport along with some new faces that will get to compete for not one but two Toyota Texas Bass Classics in a row,” said Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur.
Earlier this year TTBC officials announced that in 2014 the event will return to Lake Fork, the inaugural host site, May 9-11, 2014. Final field qualification for both this year and next year’s TTBC events are based on 2013 Angler of the Year points races (Note: PAA Tournament Series has one event remaining until in their 2013 AOY qualification for 2014 TTBC). The list of competitors is highlighted by the 2013 AOY winners from each respective professional tour including Aaron Martens (Bassmaster Elite Series), Andy Morgan (FLW Tour) and Shinichi Fukae (PAA Tournament Series). The TTBC field is one of the strongest to date, field accomplishments include a combined $70Million in career earnings, 239 tournament victories, 22 AOY titles and 17 Major Championship wins.
Other notable contenders include five anglers with Bassmaster Classic titles, including four-time winner Kevin VanDam (2011, 2010, 2005, 2001), Alton Jones (2008), Luke Clausen (2006), Jay Yelas (2002) and two-time TTBC runner-up Mike Iaconelli (2003). Iaconelli finished fourth at the 2013 Bassmaster Classic behind Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year Hank Cherry who will make his TTBC debut this year alongside Bassmaster Classic runner-up, Brandon Palaniuk.
Bryan Thrift will return to defend his 2012 TTBC title, along with former TTBC Champions Keith Combs (2011), Brian Snowden (2010), Kelly Jordan (2008) and Terry Scroggins (2007). Both Jordan and Scroggins qualified as sponsor exemptions in addition to fan favorites Iaconelli and Gerald Swindle.
Anglers will compete on Lake Conroe over three days, Oct. 4-6, 2013, with the field being reduced to the top-10 for the final round on Sunday, Oct. 6. The tournament will remain a non-entry fee event and all 50 competing anglers will receive guaranteed prize money. Through a continued partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), TTBC will continue its focus on conservation efforts and adhere to a strict catch, weigh and immediate release format. Over the last six years, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic has donated over $1.5 million to the TPWD, an effort that will continue again this year.
2013 Toyota Texas Bass Classic Final Field
Angler: Hometown: Qualified Through:
Matt Arey Shelby, North Carolina PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Adrian Avena Vineland, New Jersey FLW Tour AOY Points
Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Oklahoma Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Stetson Blaylock Benton, Arkansas FLW Tour AOY Points
Tommy Brown Louisville, Tennessee PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Hank Cherry Maiden, North Carolina Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Jason Christie Park Hill, Oklahoma FLW Tour AOY Points
Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, Washington FLW Tour AOY Points
Keith Combs Huntington, Texas Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Brandon Coulter Knoxville, Tennessee PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
John Crews Salem, Virginia Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, Louisiana Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Ott DeFoe Knoxville, Tennessee Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Jim Dillard West Monroe, Louisiana PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
David Dudley Lynchburg, Virginia FLW Tour AOY Points
Brent Ehrler Redlands, California FLW Tour AOY Points
Edwin Evers Talala, Oklahoma Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Shinichi Fukae Palestine, Texas PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Randy Haynes Counce, Tennessee PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Mike Iaconelli Pittsgrove, New Jersey Sponsor Exemption
Alton Jones Lorena, Texas Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Kelly Jordon Palestine, Texas Sponsor Exemption
Brad Knight Wartburg, Tennessee PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Russ Lane Prattville, Alabama PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Bobby Lane Lakeland, Florida Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Justin Lucas Guntersville, Alabama FLW Tour AOY Points
Aaron Martens Leeds, Alabama Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Arkansas PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Cody Meyer Auburn, California FLW Tour AOY Points
Ish Monroe Hughson, California Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Dan Morehead Paducah, Kentucky FLW Tour AOY Points
Andy Morgan Dayton, Tennessee FLW Tour AOY Points
Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Jacob Powroznik Prince George, Virginia FLW Tour AOY Points
Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Mark Rose West Memphis, Arkansas FLW Tour AOY Points
Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Oklahoma PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Florida Sponsor Exemption
Spencer Shuffield Hot Springs, Arkansas FLW Tour AOY Points
Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Missouri PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Wesley Strader Spring City, Tennessee PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Gerald Swindle Warrior, Alabama Sponsor Exemption
Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, Florida FLW Tour AOY Points
Bryan Thrift Shelby, North Carolina 2012 TTBC Defending Champion
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Michigan Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
Greg Vinson Wetumpka, Alabama Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
James Watson Waynesville, Missouri PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
Jay Yelas Corvallis, Oregon FLW Tour AOY Points
Chris Zaldain San Jose, California Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information visit www.thelonestar.org. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Official sponsors of TTBC include ATX Wheels, Bass Pro Shops, Nitro Boats, Coca-Cola, Geico, Mustang CAT and Yamaha. For additional information, visit toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.