June 10, 2009 | Category: Fishing
Closer to the Classic
Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., isn't counting any chickens before they hatch. She isn't even counting eggs, although she's still leading the race to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic through the Toyota Tundra Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year competition.
The WBT's 2009 Angler of the Year (AOY) will win a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
Going into the June 4-6 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour event on Arkansas' Lake Maumelle near Little Rock, Martin-Wells was 26 points in front of Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells came out of the tournament only nine points ahead of Robinson.
Martin-Wells, who finished in eighth place and more than 8 pounds out of first said the Maumelle event was tough on her.
"It was tough on almost everybody," she said. "I can't complain about what I did here - two limits and four fish the final day."
Only eight of the 20 pros who qualified for the final day brought in limits.
"What happens now with AOY, happens," Martin-Wells said.
The follow-the-leader role is all too familiar to Robinson. Last season, she was the AOY runner-up, 60 points out. Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., won and became the first woman to compete in a Classic.
"I'm not letting myself hope for AOY and the Classic as much as I did last year," Robinson said.
The WBT pros have two more opportunities to boost their place in the standings: one regular-season event Sept. 10-12 on Old Hickory Lake out of Hendersonville , Tenn. , and, for the top 20 who make the cut after Old Hickory, the Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship, Oct. 16-18 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City , La.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network,Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content - from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage - to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
The WBT's 2009 Angler of the Year (AOY) will win a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
Going into the June 4-6 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour event on Arkansas' Lake Maumelle near Little Rock, Martin-Wells was 26 points in front of Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells came out of the tournament only nine points ahead of Robinson.
Martin-Wells, who finished in eighth place and more than 8 pounds out of first said the Maumelle event was tough on her.
"It was tough on almost everybody," she said. "I can't complain about what I did here - two limits and four fish the final day."
Only eight of the 20 pros who qualified for the final day brought in limits.
"What happens now with AOY, happens," Martin-Wells said.
The follow-the-leader role is all too familiar to Robinson. Last season, she was the AOY runner-up, 60 points out. Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., won and became the first woman to compete in a Classic.
"I'm not letting myself hope for AOY and the Classic as much as I did last year," Robinson said.
The WBT pros have two more opportunities to boost their place in the standings: one regular-season event Sept. 10-12 on Old Hickory Lake out of Hendersonville , Tenn. , and, for the top 20 who make the cut after Old Hickory, the Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship, Oct. 16-18 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City , La.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network,Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content - from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage - to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
Contact:
Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216; doug.grassian@espn.com
Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216; doug.grassian@espn.com
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