Fishing News - 5/22/00
CENTRAL DIVISION YIELDS FOUR ROOKIE CLASSIC CONTENDERS
Chapman rides Louisiana title into his third Classic
George McNeilly
Director, Communications and Broadcast Development
http://www.bassmaster.com
SHREVEPORT, La., May 23, 2000-Five anglers who recently earned berths to the 2000 BASS Masters Classic in Chicago will attest that there is no greater feeling than qualifying for the coveted world championship.
Unless of course, it would be winning it.
Scott Rook of Arkansas, Curt Lytle of Virginia, Edwin Evers of Oklahoma, Randy Jackson of Missouri and Brent Chapman of Kansas are the last to make the field of 46 fishermen who will compete in Chicago the week of July 17-22. The Central Division anglers wrapped up their invitations during the BASSMASTER Louisiana Invitational held last week on the Red River. Other Central events this season were held at Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake in Missouri and Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas.
"Going to the Classic is what every pro angler dreams about," says Lytle, one of four Central Division anglers making their first BASS Masters Classic appearance. "This makes the hard work worthwhile."
Only the top five fishermen in the point standings from each of three invitational divisions can move onto the Classic, long regarded as the Super Bowl of bass fishing. And unlike the Top 150 circuit in which 150 pros compete in a pro-am format, approximately 300 anglers fish head-to-head in invitational events.
"It's not easy getting there through the invitationals because there are so many people vying for so few spots," said Chapman, who has qualified twice before.
Here's a look at the cream of the Central Division headed to Chicago:
Scott Rook: The Little Rock, Ark., angler added another building block to his three-year career by finishing first in the Central Division. His 13th place finish in the Louisiana finale pushed his career winnings to nearly $117,000, which includes a fourth-place finish at Table Rock this year.
"This is the ultimate," Rook said of his clinching a spot in the Classic. This is how I want to make a living, and going to the Classic is a big boost to my career."
Curt Lytle: Lytle walked away from a good job as a marine engineer four years ago to pursue his pro fishing dream.
"I couldn't stand sitting at a desk," said the 31-year-old angler, who was second in the division.
Lytle was consistent this year, logging three top 20 finishes before closing out the year with a 21st on the Red River.
Edwin Evers: Chicago will seem like home for Evers, who graduated from Seneca, Ill., High School near the Windy City, then went to college at Southeastern Oklahoma State.
"They gave me a scholarship to play football and there was a good bass lake next to the school," said the 24-year- old pro who now lives at Durant, Okla. "That's how I wound up in Oklahoma."
Evers' season included ninth place at Lake of the Ozarks and a seventh-place finish in Louisiana.
"Finishing seventh was great, but my goal in the last tournament was to simply make the Classic," he added.
Randy Jackson: The Poplar Bluff, Mo., pro's career was sidelined in 1996 when his son got active in high school basketball.
"I took time off to follow him," he said. "That was more important."
Jackson, who has won more than $50,000 with B.A.S.S., came roaring back this season, winning the Lake of the Ozarks tournament and finishing 19th in Louisiana. When he's not fishing, he's an environmentalist for the Noranda Aluminum Co.
Brent Chapman: The Shawnee, Kan., angler will make his third appearance in the Classic, having finished 12th in 1999 and 11th in 1997. The full-time pro, with 61 B.A.S.S. events under his belt and more than $188,000 career winnings, sneaked into the 2000 championship by winning the Louisiana tournament.
"My only goal at the Red River was to get a top 10 finish and go back to the Classic," said Chapman, who was ranked eighth in the Central Standings going into the last tournament. "The win was nice, but not nearly as nice as the fact that I get another shot at the Classic."
Standings and photos from the Central Invitational tournament can be found at www.bassmaster.com.
The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail, celebrating its 33rd year, continues to be the most prestigious bass fishing circuit in the nation. The trail has set the standard for credibility, professionalism and competition in the rapidly growing sport of bass fishing.
Sponsors of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include Ranger Boats, RangerTrail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, BIG Kmart, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco Batteries, Humminbird Electronics, Zercom Marine, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, worldwaters.com and MotorGuide Trolling Motors.
