KENNESAW, Ga., 8/24/05 - Do Spanish bass follow the same patterns as bass in the U.S.? Twelve American anglers will soon find out when they represent the United States and compete against a team of European anglers in the second annual Eurobass Cup held on the Ricobayo Reservoir near Valladolid, Spain, Sept. 20-21. The U.S. team is anchored and captained pro Mike Iaconelli.
Participants on the U.S. team include Mike Iaconelli, Runnemede, N.J.; Todd Ary, Moody, Ala.; Danny Correia, Marlboro, Mass.; John Crews, Salem, Va.; Bradley Stringer, Huntington, Texas; Greg Gutierrez, Red Bluff, Calif.; Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla.; Tommy Martin, Hemphill, Texas; Ron Shuffield, Bismarck, Ark.; Scott Suggs, Bryant, Ark.; Byron Velvick, Boulder City, Nev.; and Kevin Wirth, Crestwood, Ky. Iaconelli served as captain of the winning U.S. team in 2004 (U.S. 19, Europe 5).
Stringer, a rookie on the BASS pro tour and Team Yamaha pro, said he was surprised and excited when he was asked to represent the U.S. in Spain. Stringer will compete alongside several of his Yamaha teammates - Iaconelli, Ary, Correia and Crews.
"It's weird," said Stringer. "I was sitting at the Champions Toast at the Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh last month, and the next thing you know, I'm going to Spain."
Participants will compete in two teams, one comprised of 12 anglers from the United States and the other comprised of 12 anglers from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. One American angler and one European angler will compete in each boat for two days, and the winning team will be announced based on the total number of points for each boat in each round.