A whopping $1 million payout is available to the pros fishing in the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The tournament winner gets $100,000 and a berth in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. A Toyota Tundra valued at $50,000 goes to the angler catching the heaviest bass. Sum it all up and the 109 competing Bassmaster Elite Series pros are in for a lucrative payday at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. In other words, everyone gets paid at this event.
The true winner, though, is Texas Parks and Wildlife, and two of its core programs that promote fishing to youths and urban dwellers. The programs receive funding from donations made through the tournament.
Those donations began in 2007 with the origination of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Over the years TTBC generated $2 million for Texas Parks and Wildlife programs. The tradition continues this year as TTBC is combined with the Bassmaster BASSfest format.
“The impacts of this tournament, and bass fishing, have an enormous impact on promoting the sport of fishing in Texas,” said Dave Terre.
His official title is chief, fisheries management and research, for the inland fisheries division of TPWD. Terre has overseen much of his agency’s relationship with the TTBC organizers since the event began. His responsibilities also include overseeing the urban fishing program.
The program name and tag line is Neighborhood Fishin’, Reel Fun, Close to Home.
“Early on, we wanted to develop and roll out a program that targets youth and families,” continued Terre. “About 85 percent of Texans reside in major metropolitan areas.”
“Many of them don’t get exposed to the sport we so enjoy,” continued Terre.
They do now.
The program reaches over 100,000 Texans each year. About half of the participants are youths. The remaining 50 percent are adults that gave up fishing for various reasons over the years.
The grown-ups allowing their fishing license to lapse are now back. The fishing license revenue funds user-pay, user benefits fishing programs in Texas. So do sales taxes collected from the fishing tackle they buy. More kids are interested in fishing. More than likely, kids grow up and pass along the sport to their children.
It’s a win-win all around, thanks to a bass tournament. There is more to come. The program is growing and promoting fishing to everyone in the state.
“Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of our population in Texas,” explained Terre. “Based on our research we see them as another target market to introduce the fun and family aspect of sharing the sport.”
Eighteen urban lakes in 11 major metropolitan areas of the state receive frequent stockings of channel catfish in summer and rainbow trout in the winter. The put-and-take stockings occur at lakes ranging from 2 to 6 acres. Larger lakes get stockings of bass, catfish and other species in a put-and-grow effort.
Shoreline fishing is the obvious aim. So is getting poles and tackle in the hands of the participants. Those who don’t have either can take advantage of the Tackle Loaner Program. It loans fishing equipment just like a public library does books, Participants can borrow rods, reels, tackleboxes and terminal tackle from the loaner sites.
The Texas State Fish Art program is another benefactor of the tournament. Providing valuable lessons about aquatic conservation by sparking the imaginations of students is the goal. So is getting them interested in fishing.
“Our research shows that kids’ interest in actually going fishing is piqued by encouraging their interest in art,” explained Terre. “We’ve been able to help that cause by funding scholarships and raising awareness of the contest with art teachers.”
Students in grades 4-12 are invited to submit a drawing of an officially recognized state fish in the nationwide program, of which Texas takes part. Not coincidentally, the entries are judged at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The interactive educational center is also home to Toyota ShareLunker, where 13-pound and greater largemouth are used for research and brood fish.
Behold yet another success story of the tournament. With over 1,000 participants, Texas has one of the highest participation rates in the nationwide contest. Terre hopes, and it’s highly likely, that many of those kids trade a paintbrush for a rod-and-reel combo through a connection with Neighborhood Fishin.’
More funding goes to the state’s Take Me Fishing campaign. The program in Texas is rolled out through an interactive fishing experience and trailer that visits locations throughout the state.
“We are grateful for our relationship with the tournament and now B.A.S.S.,” said Terre.
Likewise all around on that thought. Texas Fest and it’s partners will do their part in continuing a tradition to promote fishing through a bass tournament the likes of none other in the sport.