TABLE ROCK , KIMBERLING CITY TO HOST 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP
TABLE ROCK , KIMBERLING CITY TO HOST 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP
The Bass Federation and FLW announced that the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce and Kimberling City , Mo ., will host the 2017 TBF National Championship April 3-8 .
The event will be the largest , richest , most exciting championship in Federation history . Because of the recent transition , the championship will include anglers who qualified both under the old state team / divisional format and the new TBF National Semi-Finals Program format .
Table Rock will host the championship event for the second consecutive year .
“ We ’ re thrilled The Bass Federation has again chosen Kimberling City on Table Rock Lake to host its national championship ,” says Sheila Thomas , president of the Table Rock Chamber of Commerce . “ Our community is very excited to welcome this great organization and all of its anglers in April .”
The championship will be held on Table Rock Lake , launching out of the Port of Kimberling in downtown Kimberling City .
“ We ’ re excited to bring TBF anglers what they asked for in the new event format and make a mark in the history books while doing it ,” adds TBF President Robert Cartlidge . “ While we ’ re sad to see the division format go , the excitement , growth and participation nationwide since the transition are proof we ’ re better serving our members .”
“ We can ’ t wait to get to Kimberling City so the very best grassroots anglers from across North America can test their skills on Table Rock Lake ,” Cartlidge continues . “‘ The Rock ’ is a diverse fishery , so everyone can fish his strengths . Plus , the fishing is exceptional , and it ’ s a perfect place for families , with lots to see and do in the area .”
The new TBF National Semi-Finals Program that is now feeding this event is mapped out to minimize drive time , cost and time off work , all while helping TBF grassroots anglers fish premier events . The program is comprised of
22 National Semi-Finals competitions that span the traditional seven TBF geographic divisions in North America .
Anglers can qualify for their National Semi-Finals either through a state federation event or directly through their TBF-affiliated local club events . The total number of anglers each state can advance is based on total participation numbers in that state .
At the 2017 TBF National Championship , anglers will compete in a cut format that sees the top boater and coangler from each state earn a spot in new Evinrude-powered Ranger Boats for the final three days of competition . Anglers will fight for a share in the record payout and for berths in two of the sport ’ s most coveted events : the Forrest Wood Cup and T-H Marine BFL All-American .
The winning boater advances to the world championship of bass fishing , the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup , for a shot at winning the biggest payday in bass fishing . And 14 finalists – seven boaters and co-anglers – will advance to the 2017 All-American .
The winning boater will also receive the $ 100,000 Living the Dream package to include a cash prize , fully paid entry fees in the 2018 FLW Tour as a pro , travel expense stipends for each event and use of a Living the Dream wrapped Ranger boat with Evinrude outboard for the year . The top co-angler will also receive a cash prize , along with fully paid entry fees into the Costa FLW Series division of choice .
TBF is proud “ Partners in Fishing ” with FLW , which helps support this annual event along with industry-leading TBF sponsors , including Ranger Boats , Evinrude , Cabela ’ s , Humminbird , Minn Kota , Berkley , Lowrance and Power-Pole .
Coverage of the TBF National Championship will be broadcast in high definition on the Pursuit Channel and streamed live daily on bassfederation . com .
PHOTO BY MARC ROGERS
2016 champ Joseph Webster
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