LIKE A ROCK
NEW ORLEANS - July 31, 2003 - Chevrolet Trucks have a reputation of being tough and lasting for years. A popular marketing slogan for the trucks is, "Like a Rock."
To become a millionaire by catching bass also takes years, and Chevrolet Trucks honor those who reach the milestone with its Like a Rock Award.
Tom Suman, the truck promotional manager for Chevrolet, presented Like a Rock awards Thursday to Texas pro anglers Gary Klein and Jay Yelas for topping the career $1 million mark in tournament winnings during the past year. The awards were presented during media day for the Classic that is under way in New Orleans.
"To be on the BASS circuit year after year winning like these guys epitomizes what Chevy stands for," Suman said.
With tournament payouts increasing - the winner of the Classic will pocket $200,000 - Klein predicted Chevrolet would soon be passing out plenty of the Like a Rock awards. "With purses growing like they are, fishing is really starting to get exciting," Klein said.
Yelas, the reigning Classic champion and 2003 Angler of the Year, said the support of sponsors like Chevrolet Trucks is taking bass fishing to new heights. Yelas is a member of the Chevy Truck Pro Staff of anglers.
Also honored by Chevrolet on Thursday were the Carolina Bassers of Fayetteville, N.C., and New York BASS Federation for promoting fishing opportunities for children.
WEATHER FOR ANGLERS
The Weather Channel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will uplink special forecasts by on-camera meteorologist Sharon Resultan for ESPN's coverage of the Classic in New Orleans.
The special reports from The Weather Channel about how weather could impact fishing during the tournament will air Friday on ESPN in the 7-8 p.m. ET telecast and on Saturday and Sunday on ESPN during the 6-7 p.m. ET coverage of the tournament. The Weather Channel report for the Classic also will air Sunday morning on ESPN.
"The Weather Channel is delighted to be a part of this popular ESPN event," said Kathy Lane, vice president of public relations for The Weather Channel. "For us, it's another great way to illustrate how weather clearly impacts viewers' daily lives ... including important sporting events like the Classic."
To lend additional support to the cooperative effort with ESPN, The Weather Channel added the Classic to its weekend listing of activities happening around the country and will display a graphic promoting the event on program features such as Weekend Outlook.
Resultan, seen on TWC during the evenings, once was featured in the "Talking With ..." section of People Magazine and noted then that "golfers, farmers and fisherman, outdoorsy types" were among the biggest fans of the network.
IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD
The temperature and humidity are both in 90s, turning the Louisiana Delta into a sauna.
The weather is expected to be sweltering during this week's Classic. But one of the best ways for anglers to beat the heat is to not think about it, according to California pro angler Skeet Reese.
"The heat doesn't bother me when I am fishing. If I were just sitting around doing nothing, it would be hot as heck. But when I'm out on the water, I'm focused on catching fish and I don't think about the heat," Reese said.
Tennessee pro angler Jack Wade also has found keeping his mind on catching bass helps him keep his cool. "When I am fishing, I try to keep my bait in the water all the time and don't have time to stop and get a drink of water and think about the heat," Wade said.
Temperatures in Louisiana Delta this week are forecast to be in the 90s, with high humidity. Showers and thunderstorms are possible daily through Sunday.
Competition in the tournament that is the world championship of bass fishing begins Friday and runs through Sunday.
MERCURY MARINE DEMONSTRATES NEXT GENERATION OF OUTBOARDS
Mercury Marine is keeping quiet about its next generation of four-stroke outboards.
It's not that Mercury officials are not willing to talk about the outboards that are being called Project X. Outdoors writers, BASS Federation leaders and invited guests got a sneak peak at the outboards Thursday during the Classic in New Orleans.
However, the outboards are so quiet, they are almost impossible to hear. Even at 5,500 rpm, the motors produce little noise. Mercury engineers hope to make them even quieter by the time they begin arriving at marine dealers next year.
Although the low-emission motors are whisper quiet, they can make boats scream.
The motors can push a 21-foot Triton bass boat above 65 mph with ease. A pair of the motors can thrust a 31-foot center console loaded with passengers and fuel at 68 mph.
Mercury officials did not disclose the horsepower ratings for the outboards demonstrated Thursday. Steve Miller, program manager for Project X, said the motors would be marketed in 150 to 250 horsepower models. He said the new outboards would be unlike most four-strokes because they will be strong coming out of the hole and throughout their power curve. "They are four-strokes that don't feel like a four-stroke."
Ken Lemberger, an engineering technician for the Project X program, said the new outboards represent the future of outboard motors. He said many Mercury employees have poured their heart and soul into the project to design the new outboards.
HIS PARTNER? A REAL DOG
Kentucky pro angler Mark Menendez doesn't mind if someone tells him his fishing partner looks like a dog.
Menendez's Labrador retriever, Barkley the Wonder Dog, will ride with him during this week's Classic.
Barkley rode in the boat with Menendez during the final round of the last Tour tournament on Alabama's Lake Jordan and was a huge hit with fishing fans.
Because of the warm reception Barkley received in Alabama, Menendez asked if the yellow Lab could ride with him during the Classic.
"Having him in the boat with me makes me relax and fish better. He's my best fishing buddy," Menendez said.
Barkley, who is about 4 years old, was rescued from an animal shelter in Atlanta.