INDIANA, Penn. – In April of 2020, the fishing family learned that professional angler Aaron Martens, a multiple time champion and Angler of the Year, had suffered a seizure while fishing with friends near his Leeds, Ala., home and had to be taken to the hospital. The result of testing was that Martens was diagnosed with brain cancer and would be undergoing surgery and treatments to combat the disease.
Because he is universally loved and respected, the industry, its fans and anglers all entered into prayer and reached out with well wishes to Martens, his wife, Lesley, and children, Jordan and Spencer. But, the spirit of people typically means they want to do more than offer well wishes. In that spirit, a group of people have worked to put together the AMart Benefit Tournament and Auction – all to be held online Oct. 3 through 18.
The tournament itself will require a $50 entry fee with 100% of all proceeds going to the Martens family. While all tournament entries are a donation, the payout, which will total nearly $40,000 in cash and prizes, will reach down the field into 177th place. The tournament rules require the download of the Connect Scale App and an approved measuring board for which to take pictures to verify catch.
Along with the event itself, there will be an auction for once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a day on the water with some of bass fishing’s true legends and brightest personalities. Among those anglers and personalities up for auction are Kevin VanDam, Mark Zona, Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee, Hank Cherry, Gerald Swindle, Bryan Thrift, Ott DeFoe, Randy Howell, Chris Lane, Todd Faircloth, Gary Clouse, Brandon Card, Mark Daniels Jr., David Mullins, Jesse Tacoronte, Brent Chapman, Cody Huff, Denny Brauer, Kota Kiriyama, Matt Herren, John Murray and Scott Canterbury. And the list continues to grow.
The intent of the event is to not only shower the Martens family with love and support during this crisis, but to also help bridge the gap of the mounting financial need as they battle this illness.
For more event and auction information or to register for the AMart Benefit Tournament and Auction, visit amartcharitytournament.com.
Zona, the host of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show, recorded a video to provide more information to those interested: