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WFN News

WFN launches on Liberty Cablevision in Puerto Rico

DENVER, CO – WFN: World Fishing Network, North America’s only 24-hour fishing lifestyle network announced today that it is now available to fishing and outdoor enthusiasts throughout Puerto Rico in HD on channel 729 through a carriage agreement with Liberty Cablevision.

WFN’s singular focus is serving North America’s 60 million anglers with a network schedule that is dedicated to fishing and the fishing lifestyle – including 10 original series this season. The line-up includes theme nights in primetime dedicated to all aspects of fishing, regional news bureaus in all areas of the country, the only news program,WFN News, reporting on stories and events that shape the fishing industry. For more information and a complete schedule, check out www.wfn.tv.

“Fishing is the most popular leisure activity in the Caribbean so there is a tremendous demand for a television network devoted exclusively to angling and related lifestyle programming,” said Mark Rubinstein, President and CEO of WFN. “We are delighted that Liberty Cablevision has chosen WFN to satisfy the demand among this underserved community of sport and leisure fishing enthusiasts.”

“We are confident that our customers will enjoy WFN as it truly serves their passion for the fishing lifestyle,” said Gabriel Palerm VP of Sales & Marketing of Liberty Cablevision. “We welcome WFN to our diverse HD channel line-up and are pleased to provide our customers with this unique network.”

About WFN: World Fishing Network
WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN’s wide-ranging programming lineup includes primetime theme nights, regional bureaus from across the nation, a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any TV channel. Featuring popular programs hosted by the world’s top anglers, the network also delivers a weekly news program, WFN News, and the schedule includes a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows including Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi and WFN’s Reel Road Trip. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, a separate network that delivers 100 percent High Definition programming 24/7.

Originally launched in December 2005, today WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors.

About Liberty Vision
Liberty is a subsidiary of Liberty Global, Inc., serving more than 27 million customers around the world. In Puerto Rico, Liberty offers Cable TV, High Speed Internet and Telephony to more than 230,000 customers in the East, North and Center of Puerto Rico.

Media Contact
Doug Drotman – WFN (631-462-1198 or doug@drotmanpr.com)
Gabriel Palerm – Liberty Cablevision – 787 657-3050 ext. 3202

Shake, Rattle and Troll

Shake, Rattle and Troll with Trolls-To Series From Rapala

MINNETONKA, Minnesota – Bass anglers rejoiced when Rapala revolutionized the way they fished, thanks to the Dives-To-series of crankbaits. And now, they’ve done it again by translating the same dives-to-a-depth concept, technology and performance to trolling applications with the TT or Trolls-To™ Series.

Like its DT® Series predecessor, the Trolls-To-Minnow and Trolls-To-Shad are designed to quickly dive to their designated trolling depth and stay there throughout the duration of the trolling passes.

“The Trolls-To is a simple system that takes the guesswork out of getting your lure to the right depth, to locate and catch fish,” remarks Chris Gilman, Rapala pro staff member and trolling aficionado. “All you have to do is tie on the right Trolls-To Series lure, reach the desired depth and get ready to catch some fish.”

The Trolls-To-Minnow and the Trolls-To-Shad both come in two sizes and run exactly as designed. Trolls-To size 15 lures run precisely at the 15-foot level by letting out 100 feet of 10-pound-test monofilament line, while the Trolls-To size 20 lures torpedo down to the 20-foot level, allowing anglers to cover a deeper range with the same length of line.

Anglers are able to fine-tune the running depth by simply making slight line length modifications. To significantly alter the running depth of the Trolls-To lures, they can simply switch from monofilament to braided line, allowing the lures to dive as much as 25 percent deeper.

The TT Minnow 15 size 09 is 3 1/2 inches long and weighs 1/2 ounce, while its bigger brother, the TT Minnow 20 size 11, is 4 3/8 inches long and weighs 5/8 ounce.

Rapala Trolls-To-Shad lures are slightly shorter than their minnow counterparts. The TT Shad 15 size 07, is 2 1/2 inches long and weighs 3/8 ounce. The TT Shad 20 size 08, is 3 1/8 inches long and weighs 5/8 ounce – designed to precisely troll the 15 and 20-foot water columns.

“Rapala Trolls-To Series lures have an erratic searching action that triggers open-water suspended fish like crazy,” explains Gilman. “They run straight for a while, and then the lure will suddenly veer to one side or the other, mimicking a wounded or frightened baitfish – perfect for catching girth-busting walleyes.”

With the lures internal rattle, paired with their realistic swimming action of balsa construction, anglers have a sure thing – especially at trolling speeds of 1 to 2 1/2 mph that enthusiasts know are ideal for catching monster walleyes, pike and even salmon and trout.

Rapala Trolls-To-Minnow and Trolls-To-Shad lures come in 12 forage-imitating color patterns and each features strong VMC black nickel trebles that hook and hold on the strike.

Hang on. You’re about to experience the troll of a lifetime.

Check out the Trolls-To-Minnow and Trolls-To-Shad video at www.rapala.com/how2tv/.

Suggested retail price: $9.99

Media Contact
Brian Anderson, Carmichael Lynch Spong (612) 375-8514 or brian.anderson@clynch.com

Alan Hults Leads Lake Eufaula’s FLW

Hults family shines at FLW Series event on Eufaula

EUFAULA, Ala. (March 11, 2010) – Lake Eufaula’s bite was reportedly tougher for anglers Thursday, but don’t tell the Hults family. A quick check of the field shows a total of four Hults names on the list. After the Day 2 weigh-in, two of those Hults were leading both the pro and co-angler divisions in the FLW Series Eastern Division event. In fact, all four names made the top-10 lists after the second day of fishing. Pro Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces Thursday to capture the lead in his pro debut with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 43-15.

“I was fishing shallow, probably just like everybody else,” said Hults, who has fished as a co-angler in different FLW Outdoors events since 2000. “It seemed like the water coming up hurt me. I thought it would help me, but it got a lot muddier and I didn’t get as many hits. I felt real fortunate to get what I got.”

Hults said he’s concentrating on shallow grass in a number of spots. He said he caught 10 keepers on the second day of competition and plans to stick with his game plan for the third day. Whatever the outcome of the event, Hults said he’s already satisfied with his first pro performance.

“My goal was to get my (entry fees) back,” Hults said. “I like fishing up here. I’ve had pretty good luck up here. If I catch them tomorrow I do, and if I don’t, I don’t.”

Hults now holds a slim 7-ounce lead over second place pro and Day 1 leader John Cox of Debary, Fla., who managed to haul in a total of 10 bass weighing 43-8 during the first two days of competition.

“I ran to one of my old spots I caught them in first thing in the morning and the water was up about a foot,” said Cox. “That had them scattered out bigtime so they weren’t as easy to catch.”

Cox said he was burning a spinnerbait and the majority of his fish were hitting his bait with their mouths closed, preventing him from a solid hookup.

“Hopefully tomorrow I can get five of those 20 that hit me,” Cox said. “Five or six of them were 4 pounders. It’s so tight where I’m fishing. If you could throw a topwater (bait) with a treble hook on it, you’d catch every one of them. But there’s so much stuff.

“If I make the top five, I’m bed fishing,” Cox added.

Rounding out the top-10 pros at Lake Eufaula are:

3rd: Lloyd Pickett Jr., Bartlett, Tenn., 10 bass, 43-3

4th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 39-10

5th: Koby Kreiger, Okeechobee, Fla., nine bass, 39-6

6th: Derek Hicks, Rocky Face, Ga., 10 bass, 39-2

7th: J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 10 bass, 38-1

8th: Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 10 bass, 37-13

9th: Chuck Howard, Elloree, S.C., 10 bass, 37-13

10th: Rodger Beaver, Dawson, Ga., 10 bass, 36-15

Overall there were 500 bass weighing 1,410 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 139 pros Thursday. The catch included 58 five-bass limits.

In FLW Series competition, pros are competing for a top award of $50,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

Alan Hults’ younger brother, Matt Hults of Gautier, Miss., leads the Co-angler Division with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 36-1 followed by William Ranquist Jr. of Park Ridge, Ill., in second place with seven bass weighing 26-3.

“This is unique,” said Hults. “But, you know, we’ve still got one day to go, so you can’t count your chickens, so to speak.”

Hults caught five bass weighing 20-2 while fishing with pro Scott Montgomery of Eufaula Wednesday and four bass weighing 15-15 while fishing with pro David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., Thursday. Hults said he caught one keeper Thursday on a crankbait and the other three on a Carolina rig.

“I lost one other one that would have helped me out a good bit, but that’s just the way the ball rolls,” said Hults.

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:

3rd: Chris Hults, Vancleave, Miss., eight bass, 25-9

4th: Kurtis Michaux, Clermont, Fla., seven bass, 25-6

5th: George Kapiton, Inverness, Fla., 10 bass, 25-3

6th: T.R. Fuller, Auburn, Ala., eight bass, 24-5

7th: Gene Bishop, Madison, Miss., eight bass, 23-7

8th: Wayne Hauser, Mooresville, N.C., seven bass, 23-1

9th: Dean Tucker, Hiawassee, Ga., eight bass, 23-1

10th: Paul Hults, Gautier, Miss., five bass, 21-4

Overall there were 242 bass weighing 619 pounds, 12 ounces caught by 116 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included six five-bass limits.

Co-anglers are competing this week for a Ranger 177TR with 90 horsepower engine as well as valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.

Anglers will take off from Lakepoint Resort State Park located at 104 Lakepoint Drive in Eufaula at 7 each morning. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at Lakepoint Resort State Park beginning at 3 p.m. The final weigh-in on Saturday will be held at Billy Lawrence Chevrolet located at 3220 S. Eufaula Ave. in Eufaula beginning at 4 p.m.

Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone at Billy Lawrence Chevrolet prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a $300 Cabela’s gift card and drawings for rod and reel combos will be held every 30 minutes during the event. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.

Coverage of the Lake Eufaula tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors”, will air May 16 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.

www.FLWOutdoors.com

Media Contact
Chad Gay, Public Relations Manager

(270) 703-3346 or cgay@flwoutdoors.com

BassMaster Classic

Bassmaster Classic anglers making long runs to warmer water

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Air temperatures below freezing and a race to the warmer waters of the northern river portion of Lay Lake greeted the 51 competitors for the Bassmaster Classic as they took to the fishery for three days of official practice Feb. 12-14 for the 40th edition of the world’s most prestigious fishing event, set for Feb. 19-21.

The field, which includes Pam Martin-Wells, the 2009 Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year and just the second woman in history to compete in the Bassmaster Classic, takes to the water for one more official practice day Wednesday, Feb. 17, before BASS kicks off the three-day competition Friday.

The forecast this week for Lay Lake, a Coosa River impoundment, shows clearing skies and a slight warming trend, but temperatures likely won’t be high enough to help a speedy warmup to the Lay Lake water. Friday-Sunday should see highs in the mid-50s and lows in the 30s to low 40s. Some anglers – in fact half the field or more – are planning a long run north during the Classic to the river, where creeks with current and warmer water will attract bass.

Kevin Short of Mayflower, Ark., an Elite pro fishing in just his second Bassmaster Classic, said the three-day practice period taught him that the slow, methodical approach might be his best bet, and that he’s perhaps better off fishing the lower, deeper end of the lake.

“I’ve purposefully stayed away from the river this time,” said Short, who finished 22nd in the 2008 Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. “I spent time up there in November, December, just looking, fishing a bit. I didn’t like what I saw, size-wise. I just knew if you’ve got 15-20 guys up there it was going to get real small, real quick.”

Short has fished slow and fast during practice, and has had bites for both. He said the bites are all about the same size, but he’s sticking with 12 to 30 feet of water because he believes Lay doesn’t hold enough shallow fish to last through the three days of competition.

Short, who tends to excel in tournaments with tough conditions, when anglers have to grind it out, said the water clarity issue is about the same everywhere on Lay.

“The main river is muddy; back up off the main river on bays and creeks, it’s less muddy,” he said. “Muddy and less muddy are your choices. The only water that I would consider clear was the coldest water I found, and that’s not going to work.

“The weather warming up is too little, too late. I know it’s a shallow lake, and some places will warm, but it’s not enough to pull the fish off the deeper stuff.”

Short said he thinks the football jig is going to be king for the Classic, along with finesse worms, and, with the weather warming up, lipless crankbaits in the afternoons. He said he won’t be at all surprised to see a few 17- to 18-pound hauls on Day 1, and more 13- to 14-pound bags, “but then it’s going to go downhill.” He’d rather land the 13- to 14-pound bag on Day 1, he said, putting himself in position to move up on Day 2.

“I really don’t want 17 or 18 the first day,” he said. “The only day that matters to be in front is the last day, and with the fans we have here, if we get a really nice day Sunday, they will be out in force. And if you’re in first, you’re going to have a crowd.”

The public is invited to attend the Classic in Birmingham and witness the crowning of the 2010 Classic champion, who on Sunday will claim a first-place prize of $500,000 from the total Classic payout of $1.2 million.

Launches are set for 7 a.m. CT Friday-Sunday at Beeswax Creek Park in Columbiana, Ala. Daily weigh-ins will be at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in downtown Birmingham. Doors open daily at 3 p.m. CT. All events are free and open to the public.

The 2010 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods will be at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex arena. Show hours are set for noon-8 p.m. CT Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. With no admission fee, the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo offers hours of quality family fun. Exhibitors are slated to offer activities such as free games with prizes, autograph sessions with top bass pros, raffles and product giveaways.

ESPN2, ESPN360.com and Bassmaster.com will provide extensive coverage of the three-day competition. Schedules are posted at Bassmaster.com.

While Bassmaster.com again will carry a wealth of unique video content, the live, daily weigh-ins will be available at ESPN360.com, ESPN’s 24/7 broadband sports network, with live coverage from the BJCC available exclusively each day from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. ET.

ESPN2 will pull out all the stops for the 40th Classic, as programming begins Saturday, Feb. 20, with coverage at 10 a.m. ET of Day 1 competition. The focus then turns to Day 2 with same-day, prime-time Saturday coverage at 10 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, Feb. 21, at 6 a.m. ET – shortly after the top 12 competitors launch for the final day of the Classic – fans can tune in to ESPN2 and stay there until 10 a.m. for all the Classic news. Sunday at 10 p.m., a two-hour show will feature the final weigh-in extravaganza and reveal the new Classic champ to the world. ESPN Classic will air five consecutive hours of previous Classics from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 21.

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

FLW Tour

FLW Tour cancels Red River event; season reduced to 5 events

Shreveport, La. (Feb. 9, 2010) – FLW Outdoors announced that due to unsafe conditions on the Red River, the FLW Tour event scheduled in Shreveport, La., Feb. 10-13, along with the Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo, has been canceled.

“This was a tough, tough decision,” said Charlie Evans, President and CEO of FLW Outdoors. “After consulting with local authorities and FLW Outdoors staff members, we feel this was the best decision for the safety of the anglers. Unfortunately there is not a winning formula and we apologize for any hardships resulting from this decision. The weather in Shreveport has been a little cold, but the hospitality shown to our staff, partners and anglers has been very warm.”

“We will do this again,” said Mary Ann Tice, Executive Director of the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. “Shreveport has beautiful blue skies and the mighty Red River, and we look forward to [FLW Outdoors] coming back to show its talents.”

Bart Schad, representing Ranger Boats, who was serving as presenting sponsor for the event stated, “We applaud our partner for making the right decision.”

“I know there was a lot of money invested, but I think it was the safest thing to do,” said National Guard pro Brent Ehrler. “The river is so high and the current is so fast, there were a couple of times I was really scared [during practice]. Many of the channel marker buoys are underwater and you can’t tell what color they are, it was scary. All the ramps are closed except for the launch, so if you get in trouble out there it could be very dangerous and a long time before anyone could even get to you.”

The decision was made after much consideration as well as exploration of every other possible alternative to ensure the safety of our anglers and FLW Outdoors staff members. This marks the first time an FLW Tour event has been canceled since the 2001 Forrest Wood Cup was canceled due to the 9/11 attacks.

The 2010 FLW Tour season will now consist of five qualifying events and the Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

www.FLWOutdoors.com

College Bass

College Bass adds new northern in Fort Madison

ATLANTA (Feb. 8, 2010) – College Bass, the nation’s top collegiate bass fishing tournament series, announced today, that for the first time in its history, it will add a North Super Regional tournament to be held in Fort Madison, Iowa with the Mississippi River as a backdrop June 5-6. The morning launch will take place each day at daybreak at the Riverview Marina and the daily weigh-in at Riverview Park (716 Riverview Drive) at 3 p.m. CT. Two-person teams from regional schools will compete in a two-day cumulative weight format with a five-fish daily limit.

“This is an exciting step that shows the continued growth of collegiate fishing,” said Hank Weldon, College Bass tournament director. “With the addition of another Super Regional competition, collegiate anglers will have even more opportunities to participate in competitive fishing at the college level.”

The high concentration of College Bass-sanctioned schools in the Midwest and Northern regions influenced the creation of the North Super Regional giving more schools the opportunity to contend for the coveted national collegiate bass fishing title. Collegiate bass clubs must compete in a Super Regional event in order to advance to the National Championship.

As host, Fort Madison will be in the national media spotlight with the Super Regional weigh-ins streamed live on www.CollegeBass.com, and special features from the regional competitions highlighted on ESPNU during the College Bass National Championship shows.

“We’re honored to be hosting the first College Bass North Super Regional” said Sandy Brown director of the Fort Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This is the ideal way for us to showcase the great fishing here in Iowa.”

College Bass anglers will contend for the North Super Regional bragging rights on the Mississippi River, the largest river system in the U.S. The Fort Madison stretch of the Mississippi River is known for its distinct characteristic of being one of the few areas of the river that runs both east and west contributing to its popularity among both competitive and leisure fishing.

Going into its sixth year, the College Bass National Championship is considered by many to be the calendar’s premier collegiate fishing event. Last year’s North Carolina State anglers Will White and Chris Wood tipped the scales to claim the 2009 College Bass National Championship crown on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock. More than 220 schools from more than 30 states and Canada participate in hundreds of College Bass sanctioned events each season.

Collegiate anglers can register to compete in the Super Regionals by contacting Hank Weldon at hweldon@careersports.com or 770-955-1300.

For more information, please visit www.CollegeBass.com.

The 2010 College Bass Tour

Tournament

Location

Date

East Super Regional

Alabama River in Montgomery, Ala.

April 10-11

West Super Regional

To be announced

April 24-25

North Super Regional

Mississippi River in Fort Madison, Iowa

June 5-6

National Championship

To be announced

July 8-10

About College Bass:

Since its inception in 2005, College Bass has been the pioneer in the emerging sport of competitive fishing at the college level with a nationally televised national championship comprised of a qualified field of student anglers. With more than 220 participating colleges and universities from more than 30 states and Canada, College Bass is a rapidly growing property with a mission of supporting student anglers and bass fishing at the club level. The 2010 season marks the sixth anniversary of the national championship event and will also feature three Super Regional events, an increase from two in 2009. Fans can follow the 2010 College Bass Tour online at www.CollegeBass.com and on ESPNU, which will televise nine hours of coverage beginning next summer

Sponsors of the 2010 College Bass Tour include Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Plano Molding Company, Strike King, Ardent Reels, Carrot Stix, Vicious Fishing, Gemini Sport Marketing and Motorguide.

Media Contact
Cama Poffenberger
Career Sports & Entertainment
770.955.1300 (office)
404.290.5906 (cell)
cpoffenberger@careersports.com

WFN News

Shake, Rattle and Troll

Alan Hults Leads Lake Eufaula’s FLW

BassMaster Classic

FLW Tour

College Bass

Lake Toho

Butler Chain of Lakes

Current Orlando Fishing Reports