A new era in women's professional bass fishing is on the horizon in America!
The anglers of the newly formed Lady Bass Anglers Association (LBAA) take to the waters of Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Arkansas for their Kickoff Tournament September 16-18, 2010.
Cheryl Bowden, Co-founder of the LBAA, spoke recently about the start-up of the LBAA. "It is an incredibly exciting time to see the enthusiasm and willingness of the ladies to take on an active role in the development of this new tour. Anglers from the past, present and future are all contributing to move this organization from a dream to reality. Lake Dardanelle is the next step of this quest, and it will not be the last."
As Bowden stated the LBAA is attracting both experienced anglers and newcomers to the sport. Emily Shaffer, a recent inductee into The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, nine-time Bass `n Gals Classic Qualifier, and current member of Strike King's Pro Team made these comments.
"I feel very fortunate to be involved with a women's tournament trail run by women for women. We are all pioneers with the same goals for the sport of bass fishing of our future generation. I am excited about what the future holds for the Lady Bass Anglers Association," Shaffer said.
The field for the LBAA Kickoff Tournament at Dardanelle will have many anglers with years of experience on the waterways of America. The LBAA is also attracting many fresh faces to the sport that have a high-level of competitive desire, determination, and drive.
One of the many new angler faces entering the LBAA is Jaime Hall from St. Louis. "I am honored to be a part of the LBAA. I had no idea what I was "getting into" when I signed up for the first tournament. I came to fish... but quickly figured out that I was part of something bigger," Hall stated. "These amazing women welcomed me immediately and they make bass fishing as fun as it was when I was a kid sitting on the boat with my dad," she concluded.
The LBAA is also creating a buzz in the fishing industry too as companies from all over the world are looking to have their companies and/or products aligned with a prestigious organization such as the LBAA. Phoenix Boats is one such company and Phoenix representative Jeff Hartung spoke recently with the LBAA about Phoenix Boats getting on board with the LBAA.
"We at Phoenix Boats are proud to be associated with the Lady Bass Anglers Association through our "First Flight" program as we feel they represent the quality and level of commitment to the fishing industry that we at Phoenix Boats strive for," Hartung stated.
The excitement generated by the LBAA is being felt in cities and tourism organizations across America as they are feeling the passion to host an LBAA event. One such organization is the Russellville Tourism & Visitors Center. The Russellville Tourism & Visitors Center is hosting the LBAA Kickoff Event and Executive Director Christie Graham recently spoke about becoming involved with the LBAA.
"Russellville is excited to host the 2010 LBAA Kickoff Tournament, we look forward to having the lady anglers and their families here for the week, which will bring great economic impact into our community, as well as, allow them to see what a great lake area we have."
Entry deadline for the LBAA Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament is August 17.
Official practice will begin for the LBAA Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament on Sunday, September 12, 2010. Tournament waters will be off limits starting at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, September 7 through Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 11:59 PM.
Days one and two (09/16 & 17) of the LBAA Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament will be the LBAA Russellville ProAm Event. All ladies competing in the ProAm Event must be members of the LBAA.
Day three of the LBAA Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament will be the LBAA Russellville Team Charity Fishing Tournament with the event proceeds going to support The Main Street Mission in Russellville. The Main Street Mission has been feeding the hungry in Pope, Yell, and Johnson Counties in Arkansas for over 15 years. The Main Street Mission is located at 1110 E. Second Street, in Russellville and for more information call 1-479-968-8303.
The LBAA Lake Dardanelle Team Charity Fishing Tournament is open to all interested parties. Entry fee is $100 per team with a guaranteed payout of $1,000. Each participating team is required to have at least one female competitor per team.
All three "official" tournament days will launch at "Safelight" from the Lake Dardanelle State Park with all daily weigh-ins getting underway at 3PM at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Pavilion.
Host lodging for the Lady Bass Anglers Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament will be The Best Western Inn located at 2326 N Arkansas Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72802-2218. Phone: 479/967-1000 | Fax: 479/967-3586.
Partners with the Lady Bass Anglers Association for the Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament are: Russellville Tourism and Visitor's Center, Moors Resort and Marina, Castaway Graphite Rods, Ray Barga and Associates, Inc., Sportsmen's Edge Triton Boat dealership, West Kentucky LED, SHE Outdoor Apparel, Todali Lures, Necessity Jigs, Nite Owl Media Productions, Triton Boats, Dave Stewart's Big Bass Guide Service, Sure Life, North Texas Marine Triton dealership, Legend Boats, BassCat Boats, Phoenix Boats, Skeeter Real Money, and Fleck's Hand Poured Baits.
Partnering with the Lady Bass Anglers Association for the 2011 season are: CASTAWAY Rods, Fleck's Hand Poured Baits, Necessity Jigs, West Kentucky LED, Nite Owl Media Productions, Phoenix Boats First Flight Program, Skeeter Real Money, and River Runner Baits. For more information on the Lady Bass Anglers Association contact: Co-founders Cheryl Bowden at 1-214-738-7517 or Secret York at 1-270-748-9041.