June

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Berkley and The Berkley Conservation Institute continued to award Collegiate anglers with cash and prizes valued at over $3,000 at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Championships. Berkley has been a proud sponsor of the premier collegiate fishing program and rewards numerous anglers throughout the year.

Berkley had two potential Big Bass awards at the Championships, which was held on Lake Lewisville. The team weighing the largest bass and displaying the Berkley logo on their jersey or hat could win $500. On day one, Eastern Kentucky won the award and Western Kentucky followed up on day two of the event.

The Berkley Conservation Institute awards the prestigious Collegiate Angler of the Year. This is the only award that combines angling skill and also requires them to utilize their education experience. Cody Salzmann from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point did an outstanding report on invasive species throughout North America and was awarded the 1st place crystal trophy and a check for $1,000. Cody detailed the species, life patterns and negative impact they are having on our waterways.

Shawn Stamps from Northwest Shoals Community College in Alabama was awarded 2nd place for a report on Conservation and Angling – preserving the tradition and received $500. Alex Craw from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga incorporated a conservation element into a future tournament that is being held by recycling used fishing line and promoting Berkley’s line recycling program. As an award recipient, Alex received $500 in tackle.

“The BoatUS Collegiate tournament series is one of our most exciting partnership programs,” said Andrew Marks, Marketing Director for Berkley. “The growth of the sport at this level and the professionalism that is displayed by these anglers is very positive for the future of our industry. While many of these anglers want to turn pro, others are looking for opportunities in the industry and this is also a great area for recruiting.”

Along with these great awards, every angler received a Berkley hat, spool of Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, a bag of the new PowerBait Ripple Shad swim baits and a deck of Trilene Transoptic playing cards valued at over $40 at the anglers registration. The winning team of Ben Cleary and Bo Page from the University of Georgia also received an Abu Garcia Revo STX reel and Vendetta rod along with a spool of Berkley Trilene Transoptic line and digital scale.

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.

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.