Jun-2009

The 2009 Miller High Life Professional Tarpon Tournament Series ended June 14 much the same as it did in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Miller’s Ale House team led by Berkley Pro

Columbia, SC, June 17, 2009 - The 2009 Miller High Life Professional Tarpon Tournament Series ended June 14 much the same as it did in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Miller’s Ale House team led by Berkley Pro Staffer Captain Artie Price was once again named "Team of the Year.”

Price and team relied on Berkley for line and baits for their tarpon success. For clear water conditions the team spooled 40-pound Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon as their main line combined with 80-pound Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon leaders. In cloudy situations or when stained water was experienced the team switched to heavier line, 50-pound Vanish main line and 100-pound Vanish leaders.

A proven smallmouth and redfish bait, the watermelon red Berkley Gulp! Goby, was used to lure the tarpon.

“Vanish is the absolute best line solution for catching tarpon from May through August in the Boca Grande Pass,” proclaimed Price. “The water is very clear and the current is exceptionally strong. Monofilament is too visible and braid does not work because it gives off too much noise (harmonics), when fished in the current.”
The Miller’s Ale House team includes Capt. Price, Frank Massaro, Greg DeVault and John Turner.

The Championship Competition, the culminating event after a five-tournament qualifying series, was at Boca Grande Pass on the west coast of Florida, arguably the tarpon fishing capital of the world. The 25 qualifying teams were allowed only five hours on the water beginning at 7 am and each team was allowed to record two tarpons. Points are allocated for each tournament and total points at the end of the year denotes the Team of the Year. Price and team collected 1904 points during the season, over 300 points more than the second place team, and were awarded a $35,000 inshore boat with engine and trailer.

The 2nd Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on the Delta is in the record books. The event, hosted by Vince Harris and Anglers Press, saw more than 300 anglers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 10, 2009) - The 2nd Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on the Delta is in the record books. The event, hosted by Vince Harris and Anglers Press, saw more than 300 anglers vying for over $16,000 in cash and a new 2009 Toyota Tundra truck valued at over $25,000. Also on the line was a day on the water with 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion Skeet Reese, which was won in a raffle by Brett Walsh. Tony Ragona, Tracy, Calif. native, won the Toyota Tundra against the other hourly winners of the tournament.

The tournament was held on the prolific California Delta that is known for producing large bass. The scales saw many good size bass during the hourly weigh-ins, but many anglers also cashed checks with smaller fish.

“The purpose of the tournament was to have a blast and expose as many anglers, from novices to weekend tournament warriors, to the entire spectrum of Berkley baits,” said Andrew Marks, Berkley Sr. Marketing Manager. “We believe that our products truly catch more fish. I was excited to see the field grow from 105 anglers last year to over 300 anglers. The turnout was a true testament for what Berkley wants to see happen to the entire fishing industry - growth. Plus, getting to see the joy of these anglers and their families made this tournament worth the effort.”

The event started with the Berkley Experience Trailer setting up at Russo’s Marina. Partnering with the Hook, Line and Sinker, the Berkley Experience was open all during the tournament. Product demonstrations and pro staff were on hand to help the anglers with selecting their Berkley baits for the upcoming tournament. Each angler received a goodie bag with a Berkley hat, 2 baits including the new Crazy Legs Chigger Craw and a box of the world’s first color-changing nylon monofilament Trilene Transoptic line – recently introduced by Berkley.

Seven hourly prizes and the Tundra were guaranteed to be awarded regardless the number of anglers or weights, but when the field grew to over 300 anglers Berkley added an additional chair that paid $50 each hour. Only Berkley baits were used in the two-day event. The baits that brought the fish to the scales varied from top-water Frenzy Walkers to PowerBait 10” Power Worms, Chigger Craws, Beast, Heavyweight SinkWorms and the new Crazy Legs Chigger Craw.

Berkley Pros Randy Pringle and Jeff Huth, emcees of the event, watched as Chris Schland brought in the largest bass caught, a 10-pound, 8-ounce hawg during the first hour of competiton.

Complete results can be found at www.anglerspress.net. A video of the final winners attempting to start the truck can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FueKaTKxUqg

The 2010 dates are being set for the 3rd Annual Big Bass Challenge on the Delta and will be announced soon. The Texas Berkley Big Bass on Lake Fork is set for October 17th-18th.

Delta Lake, CA

Berkley is proud to announce the upcoming Berkley Big Bass Challenge to be held June 6-7 on California’s Delta Lake. The hourly weigh-in format allows any registered angler to bring one fish to the scale each hour to compete for one of seven

COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 28, 2009) – Berkley is proud to announce the upcoming Berkley Big Bass Challenge to be held June 6-7 on California’s Delta Lake. The hourly weigh-in format allows any registered angler to bring one fish to the scale each hour to compete for one of seven hourly checks, plus a shot at driving home a new 2009 Toyota Tundra Double Cab truck with a retail value of over $25,000. The first 150 anglers to register will be in a special raffle on Sunday to win a day on the water with 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion Skeet Reese.

The amateur-friendly event focuses on the big fish, but strategy plays a key role when determining when to bring a fish to the scales. Anglers can choose the best time to weigh in their best fish to increase their odds at scoring a nice check. Top tier tournament anglers on the BASS and FLW tournament trails cannot compete. Over $16,000 in prize money is on the table for anglers using Berkley baits to catch their fish along with the Toyota truck that is guaranteed to be awarded regardless the size of the field.

“While everyone always thinks of big fish and large sacks, the format for this tournament makes it easy for amateurs and novices to win some cash”, said Andrew Marks, Sr. Marketing Manager for Berkley. “The hourly weigh-in makes for some interesting strategy as to when to weigh in your fish and the largest fish one hour may have placed 3rd or 4th in another. It definitely adds for some fun and exciting times when anglers literally have cashed checks with bass weighing less than 2 pounds”.

The Berkley Experience Trailer will also make an appearance at Russo’s Marina throughout the weekend starting at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, June 5th. The Berkley staff will be on hand to help all anglers with knot tying skills along with the product demonstrations, interactive screens, Wii Fishing game and other fun elements. Berkley baits will also be on sale under the tent with special promotions available on certain Pure Fishing products.

Registration is now open and anglers will also be able to register at the event starting at 3:00 p.m. June 5th. Registration and Details about the Berkley Big Bass Challenge can be found at www.anglerspress.net.

Kevin Jarnagin